Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson

Born: August 11, 1954
in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England
Born in Staffordshire, David Jackson (as he was then known) grew up in Portsmouth in the Paulsgrove area and he attended the City of Portsmouth Boys School. His parents later moved to Gosport when he was a teenager. He initially learned to play the violin but soon switched to piano and prevailed on his dad to install one in the hall of their Paulsgrove council house. From the age of 16, he played in bars, and won a scholarship to study musical composition at London's Royal Academy of Music. Jackson's first band, in Gosport, was Edward Bear (not to be confused with the 1970s Canadian band fronted by Larry Evoy). The band was later renamed Edwin Bear and later Arms and Legs, but dissolved in 1976 after two unsuccessful singles.  Although he was still known as David Jackson while in Arms & Legs, it was around this time that Jackson picked up the nickname "Joe", based on his perceived resemblance to the puppet character Joe 90.  He then spent some time in the cabaret circuit to make money to record his own demos.  However, whilst at school he had been known as 'Joe' to his schoolmates and teachers from 1972 onwards. In 1978, a record producer heard his tape, and got him signed to A&M Records.  The album Look Sharp! was recorded straight away, and was released in 1979, quickly followed by I'm the Man (also 1979) and Beat Crazy in 1980. He also collaborated with Lincoln Thompson in reggae crossover.

In 1981, Jackson produced an album for the British power pop group The Keys. The Keys Album was the group's only LP.

The Joe Jackson Band toured extensively. After the break-up of the band, Jackson took a break and recorded an album of old-style swing and blues tunes, Jumpin' Jive, featuring songs of Cab Calloway, Lester Young, Glenn Miller, and most prominently, Louis Jordan. The album, and associated single release, was credited to Joe Jackson's Jumpin' Jive.

Jackson's 1982 album Night and Day paid tribute to the wit and style of Cole Porter (and indirectly to New York City).  Night and Day was Jackson's only studio album to reach either the United States or UK Top 10, peaking at #4 (US) and at #3 (UK), and the cuts "Steppin' Out" and "Breaking Us In Two" were chart hits. The tracks "Real Men" and "A Slow Song" have pointed obliquely to the city's early 1980s gay culture. Jackson lived in New York for the next 20 years, incorporating the sound of the city into his music throughout the 1980s and beyond. Almost two years later, Jackson recorded the UK #14 album Body and Soul, also heavily influenced by pop and jazz standards and salsa, showcasing the US #15 hit single "You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)".

In 1986, he collaborated with Suzanne Vega on the single "Left of Center" from Pretty in Pink's soundtrack (with Vega singing and Jackson playing piano).

Jackson followed with the live album Big World, a three-sided double record – the fourth side consisted of a single centring groove and a label stating "there is no music on this side". The instrumental "Will Power" set the stage for things to come later, but before he left pop behind, he put out two more albums, Blaze of Glory and Laughter & Lust.

For some years he drifted away from the pop style, going on to be signed by Sony Classical in 1997.  They released his Symphony No. 1 in 1999, for which he received a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album in 2001.

In 1995, Joe Jackson contributed his version of "Statue of Liberty" on a tribute album to the English band XTC called "Testimonial Dinner" (released 1998).

In 2003, he reunited his original quartet[2] for the album Volume 4, and a lengthy tour. As before, the quartet consisted of Jackson, Graham Maby, Dave Houghton and Gary Sanford. In 2004, Jackson performed a cover of Pulp's "Common People", with William Shatner for Shatner's album Has Been.

Jackson toured 45 US and European cities in 2005 with Todd Rundgren and the string quartet Ethel,  appearing on Late Night with Conan O'Brien performing their collaborative cover version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps".

Thereafter, he embarked on a short tour in a piano-bass-drums trio format. He toured Europe in Spring 2007, again in a trio format.  Jackson's album, Rain was released by Rykodisc on 28 January 2008 in the UK and one day later in the US.[6] The album included a CD and a bonus DVD containing over 40 minutes of material, including concert and behind-the-scenes footage and interviews. Jackson performed two UK shows in spring 2008, followed by a full UK tour

Movies for Joe Jackson...

The Ghost of Richard Harris
Title: The Ghost of Richard Harris
Character: Self
Released: August 31, 2022
Type: Movie
A candid and revealing insight into the private life and public career of Richard Harris. One of the most remarkable actors of his generation, the documentary explores Harris’s complex and, at times, contradictory character. Each of his three sons — Jared, Jamie and Damian — brings their own perspective to bear as they summon the ghost of their late father to the screen.
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Joe Jackson: Sing, You Sinners! - Live at The Beacon Theatre
Title: Joe Jackson: Sing, You Sinners! - Live at The Beacon Theatre
Released: May 21, 2022
Type: Movie
Joe Jackson celebrates a 40+-year career full of unlikely hits — “Is She Really Going Out with Him?” “Stepping Out,” and “Breaking Us in Two” among them — and marked by forays into new wave, jazz, pop, and swing, among other detours. This musical chameleon always makes a statement on his albums by combining influences such as punk, jazz, swing, pop, rock and New Wave with his wry, surreal and wickedly humorous lyrics. Jackson’s eclectic live concert will feature band members Graham Maby (Bass, Vocals), Teddy Kumpel (Guitar, Vocals) and Doug Yowell (Drums, Vocals, Electronics).
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Joe Jackson & The Bigger Band - A l'Olympia Bruno Coquatrix
Title: Joe Jackson & The Bigger Band - A l'Olympia Bruno Coquatrix
Character: Self
Released: November 11, 2012
Type: Movie
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Joe Jackson - AVO Session 2010
Title: Joe Jackson - AVO Session 2010
Released: October 31, 2010
Type: Movie
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The Greatest Game Ever Played
Title: The Greatest Game Ever Played
Character: Piano Player
Released: September 30, 2005
Type: Movie
A biopic of 20-year-old Francis Ouimet who defeated his golfing idol and 1900 US Open Champion, Harry Vardon.
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Joe Jackson: 25th Anniversary Special
Title: Joe Jackson: 25th Anniversary Special
Character: Self
Released: March 18, 2003
Type: Movie
Expertly blending the grooves of pop, easy listening, and jazz, Joe Jackson has crafted countless unforgettable tunes over the past two and a half decades. Join him for a special, celebratory evening filled with song as Joe sings and jams out on his piano, making this one anniversary you'll never forget. Songs: Hell of a Town, You Can't Get What You Want ('Til You Know What You Want), Happyland, Stranger Than You, Another World, Is She Really Going Out with Him?, Real Men, Stranger Than Fiction, Glamour & Pain, Target.
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Title: Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Released: January 26, 2003
Type: TV
Jimmy Kimmel Live! is an American late-night talk show, created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and broadcast on ABC.
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Joe Jackson: Live in Tokyo
Title: Joe Jackson: Live in Tokyo
Character: Piano, Vocals
Released: December 4, 2001
Type: Movie
After charging through "One More Time," "Wild West," and "You Can't Get What You Want (Until You Know What You Want)" at a punishing clip, one might expect the soft-spoken Joe Jackson to shift to a lower gear. Instead, the one-time musical prodigy, pub band pioneer, and now eclectic composer revisits one of his even faster, earlier hits, "On Your Radio." If most performers risk monotony with such a move, Jackson's quiet charisma in this 1986 performance encourages pleasurable surrender and, in his more mature material, careful attention to his uniquely marbled tones, rhythms, and colors. Steeped in the influences of swing, Latin music, classical composition, and melodic balladry, Jackson is full of mix-and-match surprises, such as a delicate re-imagining of "Steppin' Out" and a growling, funky "Soul Kiss." This is a pure delight, from start to finish. Special features could be more special, however: a Jackson discography would have made sense with such a far-reaching playlist
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Joe Jackson: Steppin' Out -The Videos
Title: Joe Jackson: Steppin' Out -The Videos
Released: November 20, 2001
Type: Movie
British singer-songwriter Joe Jackson brings his eclectic blend of pop, jazz, punk and cabaret influences to this collection of digitally remastered videos and live concert performances, featuring 12 of his hits. Songs include "It's Different for Girls," "Nineteen Forever," "Right and Wrong," "Steppin' Out," " Jumpin' Jive," "I'm the Man," "Real Men," "Home Town," "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" and more.
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Title: Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Character: Self - Musical Guest
Released: September 13, 1993
Type: TV
Late Night with Conan O'Brien is an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien that aired 2,725 episodes on NBC between 1993 and 2009. The show featured varied comedic material, celebrity interviews, and musical and comedy performances. The second incarnation of NBC's Late Night franchise, O'Brien's debuted in 1993 after David Letterman, who hosted the first incarnation of Late Night, moved to CBS to host Late Show opposite The Tonight Show. In 2004, as part of a deal to secure a new contract, NBC announced that O'Brien would leave Late Night in 2009 to succeed Jay Leno as the host of The Tonight Show. Jimmy Fallon began hosting his version of Late Night on March 2, 2009.
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Joe Jackson: Live at Rockpalast
Title: Joe Jackson: Live at Rockpalast
Character: Self
Released: February 19, 1980
Type: Movie
Joe Jackson's 1980 and 1983 (three separate concerts!) performances on German TV. The first "Rockpalast" performance in March 1980 features Jackson and band performing songs from his new wave punk era as well as hints of things to come. The 1983 shows focus on his classic album "Night and Day" and its jazz, pop sound as well as revisiting his previous hits. Top notch songwriting and performances.
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Joe Jackson:  Rock Goes to College
Title: Joe Jackson: Rock Goes to College
Character: Performer
Released: November 29, 1979
Type: Movie
Joe Jackson Live at Hatfield Polytehchnic, UK. 29 November 1979. Introduction 1) SUNDAY PAPERS (00:26) 2) ONE MORE TIME (05:22) 3) FRIDAY (08:12) 4) IT’S DIFFERENT FOR GIRLS (12:25) 5) DON’T WANNA BE LIKE THAT (16:06) 6) HAPPY LOVING COUPLES (19:45) 7) I’M THE MAN (24:11) 8) GOT THE TIME (29:20) 9) IS SHE REALLY GOING OUT WITH HIM? (33:30) 10) COME ON (outro) (38:37)
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Title: Saturday Night Live
Character: Self - Musical Guest
Released: October 11, 1975
Type: TV
A late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels. The show's comedy sketches, which parody contemporary culture and politics, are performed by a large and varying cast of repertory and newer cast members. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest, who usually delivers an opening monologue and performs in sketches with the cast, and features performances by a musical guest.