Al Jackson, Jr
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- For the baseball player, see Al Jackson (baseball)
Al Jackson, Jr. (November 27, 1935 – October 1, 1975) was a drummer, producer and songwriter.
The son of orchestra leader Al Jackson, Sr., Jackson was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and began playing on stage with his father's band from a young age. He graduated to playing in Willie Mitchell's band, where he met Booker T. Jones who had also been hired by Mitchell. The two would hit it off and eventually form Booker T. & the MGs, with Lewie Steinberg (replaced by Donald "Duck" Dunn in 1964) and Steve Cropper.
Signed to Stax Records, Booker T. & the MGs were regarded as one of the best backing bands in music, releasing a number of hits. Additionally, Jackson continued to work with Mitchell, who was signed to Hi Records, where he played on songs like Al Green's Let's Stay Together, as well as co-writing songs with Green.
On September 30, 1975, Jackson had an argument with his wife, Barbara, and returned home to find intruders, who shot him five times in the back. Barbara later claimed that the burglars had tied her up, and subsequently shot Jackson. However, since nothing appeared to be stolen, and the house showed no signs of a disturbance, police suspected Barbara Jackson's story.
Indictments against Barbara Jackson, singer Denise LaSalle, and LaSalle's boyfriend (the supposed triggerman) were supposed to be served, but never were.
Considered by many to be the heart of Stax Records, Jackson's death preceded the closure of Stax by less than a year. Jackson's contributions to Soul music via his work at Stax and Hi Records have been noted and cited by others so often as to be ubiquitous and to justify the usage of the term "legend".
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| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Jackson, Al |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Jackson, Al, Jr. |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | American drummer, producer and songwriter |
| DATE OF BIRTH | November 27, 1935 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Memphis, Tennessee |
| DATE OF DEATH | October 1, 1975 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | |
