Randy Jackson (Jacksons singer)

Randy Jackson

Steven Randall "Randy" Jackson (born October 29, 1961) is an American singer and musician, a member of the Jacksons. Nicknamed "Little Randy", he is the youngest of the Jackson brothers, and the second youngest of the nine performing Jackson siblings. (Sister Janet is the youngest.)

Biography

Early career

Randy was only 4 when the Jackson 5 was formed and therefore was not an original member. While his brothers toured, he honed his skills as a musician, mastering piano.

The Jacksons

Although he (and his younger sister Janet) had made many guest appearances with the Jackson 5, Randy didn't officially join the family band until 1976, when they changed their name to The Jacksons and signed with Epic Records. At the age of 16, he wrote The Jacksons' most successful single on Epic, “Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground).” He is widely thought of as the most talented instrumentalist of the Jackson brothers, playing congas, drums and other percussion instruments, keyboards and piano, bass, guitar. In addition to singing and playing on the Jacksons' recordings, he also worked with his brother Michael on his solo recordings, including the hit Off the Wall album.

In either 1979 or 1980 (the various sources are unclear on the exact date and on the exact circumstances), Randy was reportedly seriously injured in a car crash. He reportedly suffers from handicaps as a result of this accident. In June 1980, he appeared on the cover of the the weekly African-American newsmagazine Jet. The cover headline read: "Randy Jackson Walks Again: Talks About His Future."

Happily, Randy was able to participate fully in the Jacksons' 1981 Triumph Tour and in the band's later projects. After the record-setting Victory Tour in 1984, Michael and Marlon left the band. Randy and his remaining three brothers later made one last album, 2300 Jackson Street.

After the Jacksons

In late 1989, Randy formed his own band, Randy & the Gypsys (which included future Slapbak members Jara Harris and Jeff Harris on bass guitar and guitar, respectively). ; Randy & the Gypsys' formal first showing to A&M Records executives turned into a fiasco when Randy apparently got stage fright and wouldn't come out of his dressing room. The group got a recording deal anyway and did manage to put out one album, but never toured.

On March 23, 2008 The New York Post published an article about the Jackson family which stated that Randy is currently in financial trouble and does odd jobs to make money, including fixing cars in a Los Angeles garage owned by a family friend.

Marriages and relationships

Randy Jackson and Alejandra Loaiza were involved in a long-term relationship, having a daughter named Genevieve Jackson (born December 3, 1989) and a son named Steven Randall Jackson, Jr. (born October 2, 1991).

Randy Jackson was in a relationship with Eliza Shaffty. They have a child named Stevanna Jackson (born June 17, 1990).

Discography

Singles

• 1978 "How Can I Be Sure"/"Love Song for Kids" (featuring Janet Jackson)
• 1989 "Perpetrator" #41 R&B
• 1989 "Love You Honey" #16 R&B