Randy Jackson

Randy Jackson earned his greatest visibility as a panelist on the Fox singing competition American Idol, yet he has also sustained a lengthy career as a bassist, producer, and music-business executive. Randall Darius Jackson entered the world in Baton Rouge, LA, in 1956 and first took up the bass near age thirteen. Early professional work brought him into contact with numerous jazz, R&B, and soul performers, including stretches alongside fusion violinist Jean-Luc Ponty and drummer Billy Cobham, though his highest-profile assignment came with the rock band Journey, for whom he toured and recorded between 1983 and 1986. In the years since, Jackson has performed, recorded, or produced with an extensive roster of prominent artists that includes Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Michael Bolton, Celine Dion, Madonna, and many others. He also held corporate posts, logging eight years as Vice President of A&R at Columbia Records and four years as Senior Vice President of A&R at MCA Records. In 2002 Jackson joined the American Idol judging panel with record executive and producer Simon Cowell and performer Paula Abdul. The series met with immediate success, and Jackson’s custom of addressing contestants as “dawg” quickly became his trademark. Outside the show he hosts the Westwood One syndicated program Randy Jackson’s Hit List and continues behind-the-scenes work in management, recording, and production. In 2008 he issued the solo album Randy Jackson’s Music Club, which included a track sung by fellow American Idol judge Paula Abdul.