American Idols Live has given us the notion that Randy Jackson can be summed up in just one word, “dog.” Although the correct spelling of the word in this context is most likely “dawg.” That one word has basically become Randy Jackson’s catch phrase on American Idols Live, referring to every audition, act, and performance on American Idols Live as simply, “dawg.” That catch phrase went on to become the basis for the “Dog Pound” on American Idols Live, where the other contestants sit as their colleagues perform. American Idols Live has certainly paved the way to fame for Randy Jackson, who as far as celebrities goes, was relatively unknown prior to accepting a position as a judge on what would be the enormously successful American Idols Live. As a judge on American Idols Live he seems to be the most fair. He’s not as vicious as Simon Cowell or as “dumb-founded” as Paula Abdul, he genuinely seems to give good advice without being too critical. That being said, in the later seasons of American Idols Live Randy Jackson certainly seems to have become a little meaner in his response to contestants. This new found behavior can probably be attributed to the huge success that Simon Cowell has found for being the “mean one” on the judging panel of American Idols Live.
Although it appears as though Randy Jackson had been a relative unknown prior to American Idols Live, he does indeed have many pre American Idols Live accomplishments. In the early 1980′s, Jackson had played in bands with Carlos Santana and Jerry Garcia. From 1986 to 1987 he was a member of the rock group Journey. He had joined Journey for their 1986 album Raised on Radio and subsequent tour. He moved to Italy in the late 1980s and played on a record by Italian pop star Zucchero. The record, Zucchero and the Randy Jackson Band, was produced by Corrado Rustici who played guitar with Randy on many albums in the early 80′s and who became Zucchero’s producer for 15 years creating Zucchero’s biggest albums of his career.
Prior to his success on American Idols Live, Jackson was also the bass guitarist for Tracy Chapman and is featured on several tracks of her 1992 release, Matters of the Heart. He performed on the singles “Bang Bang Bang “, “Open Arms”, and “Dreaming on a World”. That same year, Jackson also played bass on Bruce Springsteen’s hit “Human Touch”.
As a running joke on American Idols Live, Randy Jackson often refers to the many rock stars he has worked with over the years. On the set of American Idols Live, Simon Cowell is often seen rolling his eyes whenever Randy refers to an act he has worked with. However, those references do not go without merit. Randy Jackson has recorded, produced, or toured with many well-known artists and bands, ranging from Mariah Carey (he has been her musical director for a number of her tours; he was in her band at Live 8 in London in 2005) to *NSYNC, Whitney Houston, (produced) Dionne Farris’ (critically acclaimed debut CD, Wild-Seed Wild-Flower), Céline Dion, Fergie (dating back to her days in Wild Orchid), Stryper[3], and Madonna (he played bass on her number-one hit “Like a Prayer”).
Jackson played numerous times in Jean-Luc Ponty’s backing band. His credits as a session musician range from playing with Aretha Franklin, Roger Waters, Bruce Springsteen, Journey, George Michael, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Billy Cobham, Blue Öyster Cult, Herbie Hancock, Richard Marx, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, Michael Bolton, and Bob Dylan to playing at the Grand Ole Opry with The Charlie Daniels Band. His production/songwriting work in the San Francisco Bay Area with Narada Michael Walden and Walter Afanasieff led Jackson to be in demand as a producer as well.
Although American Idols Live has certainly shot Randy Jackson to international stardom, his credits in the music business prior to the success of American Idols Live certainly should not go without notice. Let Simon Cowell roll his eyes all he wants, Randy Jackson should stand proud of his many accomplishments.
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