Randall Darius Jackson is an American bassist, singer, record producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. Jackson began his career in the 1980s as a session musician playing bass guitar for an array of jazz, pop, rock, and R&B performers. He moved on to work in music production and as A&R at Columbia Records and MCA Records. Jackson is best known from his appearances as the longest-serving judge on American Idol and executive producer for MTV's America's Best Dance Crew. Jackson has won a Grammy Award as a producer. In May 2020, Jackson was rehired as bassist for Journey following their sudden split with legacy member Ross Valory. Jackson had previously filled the roll in the late 80s.
| Birth name: | Randall Darius Jackson |
| Born: | June 23, 1956, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Genres: | Rock, pop, R&B |
| Occupation(s): | Bassist, singer, record producer, entrepreneur, television personality |
| Instruments: | Vocals, bass, keyboards |
| Years active: | 1983–present |
| Labels: | Columbia |
| Associated acts: | Journey, Boston, Brooke White, Mariah Carey, Paula Abdul |
| Website: | randyjacksonnext.com, (archive.org 2012-03-27) |
| Twitter: | Randy Jackson's Twitter profile |
| Facebook: | Randy Jackson's Facebook profile |
| IMDb: | Randy Jackson's IMDb |
About Randy Jackson
Television show host who became known as the supportive judge on American Idol and the executive producer of MTV's America's Best Dance Crew.
Before Fame
He was a musician in bands for Santana and Jerry Garcia.
Achievement
He produced the entertaining dance craze show, ABDC, on MTV, and won a Grammy Award for his work as a producer.
Family Life
He divorced Elizabeth Jackson, with whom he had one daughter named Taylor, in 1990. In 1995, he married Erika Riker, with whom he had a daughter named Zoe and a son named Jordan.
Associations
He played bass for Madonna throughout her album Like a Prayer.
Information related to Randy Jackson
- Journey (band) members
- Jazz musicians from Louisiana
- Musicians from Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- American rhythm and blues bass guitarists
- Southern University alumni
- A&R people
- American music managers
- American jazz bass guitarists
- American Idol participants
- Singers from Louisiana
- American rock bass guitarists
