Bob Jackson Library
compiled by Tom Brennan
last updated: November 8, 2009
Robert Jackson was born on January 6, 1949 in Coventry, England. Bob's first band,
called Indian Summer, released an LP in 1971. His next band started as John
Entwistle's (The Who) backing band, and eventually became a Progressive Rock band
called Ross, which released two albums. Jackson quit after a mid-1974 tour
with Ross as the opening act for Eric Clapton. After getting home after the tour,
a friend recommended he audition for Pete Ham's replacement in Badfinger. After Pete
Ham's suicide, Bob was asked to join The Dodgers by Tommy Evans in Late, 1975. Bob
stayed with The Dodgers until being forced out in 1979. Bob was reunited with Tom
Evans in early, 1982 when he was asked by Tommy to audition with him in his back-up
band for a female Australian group called Cheetah. Eventually, Bob ended up
in Tom's version of Badfinger and he toured with them until Tommy's last live appearance
in October, 1983. Bob also did a British Invasion tour in 1984 with Joey and Mike.
biography information from Dan Matovina's
"Without You, The Tragic Story of Badfinger"
Bob Jackson is currently part
of the latest line-up of the British Invasion band called The Fortunes.
e-mail Bob Jackson
Emily Jackson's myspace page (daughter of Bob)
THE FORTUNES "PLAY ON" CD
This is the latest recording from The Fortunes. Recorded in the traditional way with real instruments and a more live feel in July of 2008 at Grammy Award winning producer, Roger Lomas's studio in Coventry. The Fortunes re-recorded all their hits, including some which were very successful over in mainland Europe.
Bob Jackson sings two of Badfinger's biggest songs, "Without You" and "No Matter What". Also included on the CD are some classic interpretations of some Burt Bacharach songs and Eddie's stunning version of The Walker Brothers, "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Any More".
TRACK LISTING
01. The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore
02. Here It Comes Again
03. Walk On By
04. Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again
05. You've Got Your Troubles
06. Here Comes The Sun
07. You're My World
08. Storm In A Teacup
09. Dance With Me
10. Seasons In The Sun
11. Freedom Come, Freedom Go
12. Without You
13. Caroline/This Golden Ring
14. When I Need You
15. No Matter What
16. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself
from The Fortunes website, March 8, 2009
BOB JACKSON PERFORMS SOLO CONCERT
IN SWANSEA
Bob Jackson performed a solo concert of Badfinger
classics and some new material from a solo project he's currently recording at the
British
Badfinger Convention at The Dragon Hotel
in Swansea, South Wales on May 13, 2006. Bob Jackson demonstrated his versatility
musically as well as vocally by performing solo versions of various Badfinger classics
on keyboards, acoustic guitar, and electric guitar. Aside from a little nervousness
and some technical glitches, the performance went off very well, with a standing
ovation from the assembled fans and family members. Sound excerpts from the concert can be found on Dan Matovina's convention report.
Bob Jackson solo concert, set list:
01. No Matter What [electric guitar]
02. Day After Day [piano]
03. If You Were Here* (tribute to Tommy Evans) [acoustic guitar]
04. Moonshine [piano]
05. Name Of The Game [piano] {Bob talked about how he thought Pete Ham's lyrics for
this song were cryptic}
06. Dennis [piano]
07. Carry On Till Tomorrow [acoustic guitar] {started off in too high a key, then
restarted in the proper key}
08. Shine On [acoustic guitar] {the ending of this one was tricky - Bob said, "Hold
on, rewind", and then he pulled off the ending guitar lick on his 2nd attempt}
09. Positive Thinking* [piano]
10. Baby Blue [electric guitar] {no guitar solo was played - rhythm only}
11. The Boys Down In New Orleans* [piano] {Bob mentioned Hurricane Katrina and his
hope that New Orleans would recover; song influenced by Professor Longhair and Dr.
John}
* These 3 songs are due to be released on Bob Jackson's upcoming solo CD release
Notes:
"Won't Forget You" was planned but not performed due to time limitations.
The show started late due to problems setting up the keyboard effects and getting
the guitars in tune.
Bob did not rehearse any Dodgers songs for this performance. "To Say Goodbye"
was also rehearsed but not performed.
12. Come And Get It [piano + Ron Griffiths-vocal]
For the last song, Bob said that Ron Griffiths should be up here playing. He called
Ron out of the audience to perform on "Come And Get It." Unfortunately,
he didn't bring a bass guitar and efforts to find him one all day failed. So, without
any instrument, Ron introduced the song by telling the story about how Paul McCartney
had all the members of The Iveys audition to be the lead singer on "Come And
Get It". Tom ended up the winner of course, with Ron being rejected for sounding
like Reg Presley of The Troggs! Ron did an excellent job singing with Bob, even playing
air-bass at various points during the song! And of course, Ron got the audience to
sing along, especially on the "Sonny" parts. After the performance, the
audience demanded more but unfortunately there was no more time left on the reservation
of the room.
BOB'S LIVE VERSION OF "WITHOUT
YOU" WITH THE FORTUNES
A Live DVD of The Fortunes' 2005 European
Tour is now available including Bob Jackson's lead vocals on the Badfinger classics,
"Without You" and "No Matter What".
DIGITALLY ENHANCED by Bob Jackson
Later on this week, I will be digitally challenged [some would say that I already
am]. Having mutated over recent months, I now have some sympathy with the Elephant
Man...I have a solo theatre appearance at the hospital to remove a growth on my finger
of dubious origin. I suppose that the Lump will be thrilled to be rid of me and may
even carve out a career of it's own, playing to packed houses. I wish it well...As
for myelf, I hope that the band will learn to manage without those 11 finger chords
that I was once capable of. Certainly, from now on 'Bob of Badfinger' will take on
a whole new meaning.....Hey ho!!
from The Fortunes website, May 5,
2001
THE FORTUNES LIVE ON CD
Thanks to a tireless effort by Paul Hooper,
who spent hours 'cleaning up' all the 'pops and whistles' you get on any live recording,
and to Bob Jackson for his gallant pursuit of quality in the editing, we think we
have captured 'the essence' of a Fortunes show. We have not filtered out any mistakes,
'duff notes' from the guitarist, or shouts of encouragement (or otherwise) from the
audience! This is The Fortunes Live!! We hope you think our efforts have been worth
the wait......best wishes, The Forts!
TRACK LISTING
01. Intro/Drove All Night - Amsterdam, Holland
02. Here It Comes Again - Assembly Rooms, Derby
03. It's Over - Symphony Hall, Birmingham
04. Let There Be Music - Veendaam, Holland
05. No Matter What - Leisure Centre, Brentwood
06. In This Life - Fairfield Hall, Croydon
07. Storm In A Teacup - Cardiff
08. Without You - Cologne, Germany
09. Do You Wanna Dance - Butlins, Bognor Regis
10. Let It Be Me - N.E.C. Birmingham
11. We All Get Lucky Sometimes - The Dome, Brighton
12. Wings Of A Nightingale - City Hall, Sheffield
13. Rainy Day Feeling Again/Freedom Come Freedom Go - Gt. Yarmouth/Glasgow
14. From A Distance - Antwerp, Belgium
15. You've Got Your Troubles - Esbjerg, Denmark
16. Here It Comes Again - Den. Bosch, Holland
(Bonus Track with 2000 strong "Super Choir")
from The Fortunes website, May
5, 2001
IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW
Bob
Jackson interview via e-mail by Jesper (introduction by Dan Matovina)
this link posted December 31, 1999, updated March 8, 2009
BOB JACKSON JOINS THE FORTUNES
In March 1995, vocalist/keyboard/guitar player
Bob Jackson was added to The Fortunes' ranks. Bob was no stranger to fame as he was
previously a member of Badfinger when they were on the Warner Brothers label. During
The Fortunes' set, apart from sharing vocal duties with Rod Allen, Bob leads the
band through a tribute to his former group, including a version of the Ham/Evans-penned
classic 'Without You', made famous by Nilsson, and more recently, Mariah Carey.
Bob Jackson's Songs and Lyrics:
All I Want Is You (Jackson/Evans) [1976]
Another Time, Another Place (Jackson) [1976]
Anytime (Jackson/Wilson) [1978]
The Boys Down In New Orleans (Jackson)
Come
Out Fighting (Jackson/Hooper*) [1978]
Crazy (Jackson)
Don't
Know What You're Doing (Jackson) [1976]
For Your
Love (Jackson) [1978]
Get To You (Evans/Jackson) [Bob wrote the middle bridge section] [1976]
I Call
Your Name (Jackson/Wilson) [1978]
I Can't Live Without Your Love (Jackson) [1976]
If You Were Here (Jackson)
It Was You (Jackson/Wilson) [1978]
Won't Forget
You (Jackson) [1976]
Moonshine (Jackson/Evans/Gibbins) [1974]
More And More (Jackson/Wilson)
My Love, For You (Jackson)
New Day (Jackson) [1982?]
Only Lonely (Jackson/Wilson) [1976]
Passed
Fast (Jackson/Evans) [1974]
Positive Thinking (Jackson)
See Me, See You (Jackson/Wilson)
She Will Be There (Jackson)
Take
Another Piece (Jackson) [1978]
To Say Goodbye (Jackson) [1974?]
Turn
Around (Jackson) [1974]
Very special thanks to Bob Jackson for
taking time out from his busy touring schedule to provide me with these song titles
(including some unreleased ones) and songwriting credits including the following
correction:
*By the way, I noticed that you accredited this track to Tommy Evans. This is incorrect,
and even the original record label gets it wrong.
U.K. LPs that Bob Jackson appears on:
Ross - Ross (1974)
(RSO 239417) 43:11
Side 1: Alright By Me / You're Looking Down A Road / Wherever You Go / Caroline / Changes
Side 2: Help Me Understand / Blackbird / I Need Your Love / Buxton / Leave It All Behind You
Ross - Pit and the Pendulum (RSO, 1975)
(RSO #4802) 45:49
Side 1: Swallow your dreams / Gotta Get It Right Back / Madness In Memories / Standing Alone / Discovery (Jackson)
Side 2: Now I See / So Slow / The Edge / Nearer and Nearer / Free / I've Been Waiting / Oh, I'm Happy Now (Poe)
written by Alan Ross unless noted
Moon - Too Close For Comfort (Epic, 1976)
Searchers - Searchers (Sire, 1980)
Byron Band - On The Rocks (Creole, 1982)
thanks to Dave Couldridge
please e-mail any additions
or corrections
other solo Badfinger pages:
Pete
Ham Tom Evans
Mike
Gibbins Joey Molland
Ron
Griffiths The Dodgers
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