Chuck Jackson

Chuck Jackson was primarily the lyricist half of the writing and production duo of Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy, whose talents helped launch the recording career of Natalie Cole. The Greenville, SC native's interest in music was nutured by his mother (who sung in their church's choir). This is where Jackson received his core musical training. He also sang in the high school choir. After high school, Jackson earned a master's in commercial art from Fermin University and taught for a year. In 1969, he moved to Chicago to work for Playboy Magazine as an art director. During his lunch break, Jackson would scribble down song ideas. A friend told him about a songwriting workshop that was held by R&B/soul singer Jerry Butler. The Butler Workshop was funded by Chappel Music and rewarded promising songwriters with a salaried staff writing position and a publishing contract. By now, Jackson had written around 135 songs. He approached Butler with one of his songs, "If It's Real What I Feel"; Butler liked it, but didn't feel that the song was right for him, so Jackson made a demo with a church friend, Brenda Lee Eager. Butler accepted the tape and Jackson wrote several songs, two of which Butler recorded ("If It's Real What I Feel" and "Walk Easy My Son). During an Operation Breadbasket (now PUSH) expo, pianist Yancy was backing legendary gospel group The Caravans. After the show, Jackson approached Yancy about co-writing eight songs for Aretha Franklin. Nothing happened with the songs, but it did start the pair's collaboration. One of the duo's songs, "Just as Long as You Need Me, caught the ear of former Impressions manager Eddie Thomas, who suggested that Jackson and Yancy form a vocal group. Choosing the name the Independents, the group included Jackson on lead vocals with...