Bob Jackson (musician)
| Bob Jackson | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Robert Jackson |
| Born | 6 January 1949 Coventry, England |
| Genres | Rock music |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Piano, Guitar |
| Years active | 1971–present |
| Labels | RSO, Epic, Sire, Creole, Snapper |
| Associated acts | Badfinger, The Fortunes, The Searchers, The David Byron Band, Ross |
Robert 'Bob' Jackson (born 6 January 1949 in Coventry) is an English keyboardist/guitarist/songwriter, whose career has been interwoven with various rock and pop bands since the early 1970s.
Contents
Indian Summer/Ross
Jackson formed his first professional rock group in 1969, called Indian Summer,From the same stable as Black Sabbath, the group released a debut album on Neon Records: Indian Summer, in 1971, but, following business difficulties, disbanded the following year. Jackson was invited to join "Rigor Mortis"(a band put toge ther for John Entwhistle solo work in 1972. Almost immediately however, Jackson and bandmate Alan Ross caught the ear of Robert Stigwood and instead decided to develop their own group in 1973, as "Ross" They released two albums on RSO Records; Ross in 1973, and The Pit and the Pendulum in 1974. Despite, touring extensively in the USA, with Eric Clapton, the band failed to capture an audience and directly after completing studio sessions in LA, Jackson left the band.
Badfinger
Jackson was hired by the group Badfinger in August 1974, the first time he had joined an established rock act.[1] Although originally secured as a replacement for one of its members, Pete Ham, Jackson was retained as an additional member when Ham withdrew his resignation. Following a British tour supporting the group "Man", Badfinger recorded the album Head First for Warner Brothers at Apple Studios in December. Due to legal entanglements and mismanagement, Head First was unreleased…
The Dodgers
Badfinger disbanded following Peter Ham's suicide in 1975. Jackson remained in contact with Badfinger's bassist Tom Evans, and the two formed "The Dodgers" in 1976. The Dodgers released a handful of singles and one album by 1977, but in the same year Jackson was released by the band following management problems.[1]
The Searchers/The Byron Band
Jackson was hired by The Searchers in 1979, contributing to the group's tours and two subsequent album releases, The Searchers (1979) and Play For Today (1980). In 1980, along with Mel Collins, Jackson joined "The David Byron Band" formed by Uriah Heep's former lead singer. Having recorded the album ‘On The Rocks’ for Creole Records, Jackson left the band in 1981.
Badfinger reformed
Jackson, along with Tom Evans and Mike Gibbins reteamed in 1982 and formed a new version of Badfinger touring and recording exclusively in the U.S. However, in late 1983, Evans committed suicide, which ended Jackson's Badfinger.[1] He later invited ex-member, Joey Molland to join and with Gibbins for another Badfinger outing in 1984 for a specialty tour in the USA. Although well received, the line-up did not last. Jackson now concentrated on writing and recording, making home recordings for demonstration records but did not tour.
The Fortunes
Jackson appeared on two CDs in the 1990s; 7 Park Avenue and Golders Green, adding parts to posthumous releases by Jackson's friend and bandmate Pete Ham from Badfinger. He was subsequently hired by The Fortunes in 1995, and he remained with the group off-and-on for the next 10 years, releasing three albums and performing on several tours.[1] On 18 May 2006, Jackson rejoined the Fortunes and has toured extensively with them ever since. The band’s Theatre shows ‘Past & Present’ featured many Badfinger songs and anecdotes. Jackson played on several albums, and appeared in Australia, Dubai, Las Vegas, Hong Kong, Netherlands and Belgium as well as the UK. The band also successfully played the USA, Canada, Netherlands, Sweden, in addition to the UK during 2009.
Other Activities
In 2000, Jackson finally succeeded in getting the Badfinger 1974 ‘Head First’ recordings along with personal demos as a double CD package on Snapper Records. Various outings have included sessions alongside Pete Brown, Jack Bruce, Jeff Beck, Moon, Andy Fairweather Low, the Motors, among many others. In 19 Along with Tommy Evans, Jackson joined a side-project, Cheetah, and performed at Mide Festival, France.. In, Jackson appeared on Pete Ham’s posthumous albums, 7, Park Avenue and Golders Green.
In 2013, Swansea Council erected a Blue Plaque in the town centre, celebrating the achievements of Peter Ham and Badfinger. Jackson organised and performed as Badfinger for a one-off Concert Celebration, on the same evening In 2015, Jackson reforms his own version of Badfinger, undertaking a UK Theatre tour.
Discography
- Indian Summer by Indian Summer, 1971
- Moon by Moon 1973
- Ross by Ross, 1973
- The Pit And The Pendulum by Ross, 1974
- Head First by Badfinger, recorded 1974 (released 2000)
- Love On The Rebound by The Dodgers, 1978
- The Searchers by The Searchers, 1979
- Play For Today by The Searchers, 1980
- On The Rocks by The Byron Band 1981
- 7 Park Avenue by Pete Ham, 1997
- Golders Green by Pete Ham, 1999
- Some Bridges by The Fortunes, 1999
- The Fortunes...Live by The Fortunes, 2001
- Heroes Never Die by The Fortunes, 2004
- Play On by The Fortunes, 2008
References
- Dan Matovina: ISBN 0-9657122-2-2
- Dan Matovina: Badfinger biography pages
- Tom Brennan: Badfinger library
- The Official Fortunes Website The Fortunes
