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Randy Jackson biography

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Record producer and musician Randy Jackson is notable mostly as a judge on the talent-search TV show American Idol

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Synopsis

Born on June 23, 1956, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Randy Jackson is a music industry veteran who emerged from behind the scenes to become a famous television personality as a judge on the popular singing competition show American Idol. Jackson spent years as a record producer and an executive with Columbia Records and MCA Records before landing his spot as an American Idol judge.

An Early Start in Music

Musician, record producer, television personality. Born Randall Matthew Jackson on June 23, 1956 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A music industry veteran, Randy Jackson has become a famous television personality from his work as a judge on the popular singing competition American Idol. He first started playing bass guitar at the age of 13. The youngest of three children, Jackson used to slip out of his family's home at night to play at local clubs.

Jackson went to nearby Southern University to study music. Graduating in 1979, he pursued his dream of being a professional musician, playing with everyone from Herbie Hancock to Bob Dylan. He was even a temporary member of the 80s rock band Journey in 1983 and 1986. Jackson also recorded and toured with such well-known artists as Jerry Garcia, Mariah Carey, Bruce Springsteen and Madonna. Working behind the scenes, Jackson spent years as as a record producer and an executive with Columbia Records and MCA Records.

American Idol

Jackson became one of the judges on the hit Fox talent search contest American Idol along with Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul in 2002. Highly regarded within the music industry, Jackson is respected among contestants for his constructive criticism. Sharing his secrets for success, Jackson wrote the 2004 book What's Up Dawg? How to Become a Superstar in the Music Business.

For the MTV cable channel, Jackson helped develop and produce America's Best Dance Crew, which premiered in February 2008. "It's very much more street than whatever you've seen...It's really kind of raw and has a lot of great imagery," he explained to People magazine. The following month, Jackson released a compilation album, which featured performances from his American Idol cohort Paula Abdul, as well as musicians Joss Stone, Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi, and Mariah Carey among others. "It's kind of a Quincy Jones record with all sorts-country, pop, hip-hop, R&B, and jazz songs," Jackson told Entertainment Weekly.

In addition to his American Idol duties, Jackson hosts a syndicated radio program, Randy

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