The Caffé
Latté
200
FAVOURITE
MUSIC
ACTS
#104
JOE
JACKSON
At first glance, Joe Jackson appeared to be a new wave singer / songwriter, similar to Elvis Costello and Graham Parker. Over the subsequent decades, he has revealed his multifaceted range, spanning genres such as jazz, jump blues, pop, adult contemporary and even classical music.
He was born David Jackson in 1954. Prone to asthma attacks, the English boy avoided sports and eventually immersed himself into music. He started as a violinist, progressing to the oboe and timpani before focusing on the piano. At age 16, Jackson began working as a piano player in a pub. Around this time, he began composing.
As he entered adulthood, Jackson commenced classes at London's Royal Academy of Music. He joined a series of groups. While a member of Edward Bear, his bandmates gave him the nickname "Joe". The name has since stuck, replacing his original first name. The group released singles that all flopped.
In 1976, Jackson quit the group. He formed The Joe Jackson Band with some of his friends. The goal now was to record a solo album. Demos were sent to various labels. A&M Records signed him in 1978.
"Is She Really Going Out With Him?" was his debut solo single. The disc failed to attract much attention, but Jackson and his band persisted, touring around Britain. After 'Look Sharp!' was issued, a groundswell was slowly building up. His debut single was re-released and finally cracked the Top 20 in the UK, Canada and Australia. It even peaked at #21 in America.
In 1979, "It's Different For Girls", from his sophomore LP 'I'm The Man', peaked at #5 in Britain. Hints of reggae were evident on his next album, 1980's 'Beat Crazy'. This was followed by the swing / jump blues of 'Joe Jackson's Jumpin' Jive' in 1981.
Jackson's marriage ended soon after and he relocated to New York, soaking up the city's vibrancy. Salsa and the American standards inspired his next project: the 'Night And Day' album. Unleashed in 1982, it featured some of his best compositions: "Real Men", "Breaking Us in Two", "A Slow Song" and the major hit "Steppin' Out".
The following year, Jackson provided music for the 'Mike's Murder' motion picture soundtrack. He served better fare on the 1984 album 'Body And Soul' from which the singles "You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)", "Happy Ending" and "Be My Number Two" were lifted.
Next, Jackson collaborated with Suzanne Vega on "Left Of Center" for the 'Pretty in Pink' film soundtrack. He then began exploring classical music and continued composing music for films. Now in his 60s, Jackson continues touring and recording.
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105 MIKA
106 CHRISTINA AGUILERA
107 DAVID GUETTA
108 DESTINY’S CHILD
109 JAMIROQUAI
110 ALISON MOYET
111 LED ZEPPELIN
112 STEVE WINWOOD
113 COMMODORES
114 COLDPLAY
115 SIMPLY RED
116 ONE DIRECTION
117 CAROLE KING
118 R. KELLY
119 EMELI SANDE`
120 QUINCY JONES
121 LADY GAGA
122 ELVIS COSTELLO
123 RAY CHARLES
124 ED SHEERAN
125 NATALIE COLE
126 SMOKEY ROBINSON
127 KANYE WEST
128 ELVIS PRESLEY
129 ERIC BENET
130 SAM SMITH
131 JAMES TAYLOR
132 STEELY DAN
133 IKE & TINA TURNER
134 DES’REE
135 ACE OF BASE
136 VAN MORRISON
137 SAM COOKE
138 THE DOORS
139 AMY WINEHOUSE
140 PHARRELL WILLIAMS
141 GEORGE BENSON
142 MINNIE RIPERTON
143 VILLAGE PEOPLE
144 CURTIS MAYFIELD
145 FOREIGNER
146 EURYTHMICS
147 TOTO
148 BARRY WHITE
149 CARL RISELEY
150 TONI BRAXTON
151 NEIL DIAMOND
152 HALL & OATES
153 LUTHER VANDROSS
154 ERIC CLAPTON
155 THE O’JAYS
156 RUMER
157 SLY & THE FAMILY STONE
158 LITTLE RICHARD
159 HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES
160 CHRIS ISAAK
161 MICHAEL McDONALD
162 GLORIA GAYNOR
163 TWENTY ONE PILOTS
164 BEN E. KING
165 MEAT LOAF
166 JAMES REYNE
167 JOAN ARMATRADING
168 SADE
169 A-HA
170 GLEN CAMPBELL
171 DIRE STRAITS
172 COLD CHISEL
173 LINDA RONSTADT
174 ANTHONY CALLEA
175 LISA STANSFIELD
176 EN VOGUE
177 MICHAEL BUBLE`
178 TRACY CHAPMAN
179 DRAGON
180 OLETA ADAMS
181 LITTLE RIVER BAND
182 SOPHIE ELLIS – BEXTOR
183 THE RONETTES
184 CERRONE
185 MODELS
186 SCISSOR SISTERS
187 DARREN HAYES
188 PETULA CLARK
189 MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS
190 LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY
191 ART GARFUNKEL
192 THE REELS
193 JANIS IAN
194 JOHN PAUL YOUNG
195 S CLUB 7
196 CHARLIE PUTH
197 THE MARVELETTES
198 ICEHOUSE
199 LEO SAYER
200 LIZA MINNELLI
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