Randy Jackson

Randy Jackson (born June 23 1956 Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is an American musician and record producer, now best known for being a judge on the television show American Idol.

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As a musician Jackson plays the electric bass. He was bass player for the band Journey for a period in the 1980s. He has also recorded, produced, or toured with many well-known artists, ranging from Mariah Carey (whom he knew when she was still a teenager; he was in her band at Live 8 in London in 2005) to *NSYNC to C?line Dion to Bruce Springsteen. He has also worked as an executive with Columbia Records and MCA Records.

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Jackson has been a judge with American Idol since its inception in 2002. On the show he is known for taking a middle road of criticism between the supportiveness of Paula Abdul and the nastiness of Simon Cowell. He has popularized "pitchy" as the way to describe off-key singing. He is also renowned for his heavy use of slang terms and gestures, most notably the word "dawg". Jackson sometimes wears outrageous outfits and supplies an endless inspirational resource for those looking for eye glasses.

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He was married to Elizabeth Jackson until 1990 when he divorced her. Since 1995, he has been married to Erika Riker. In 2003 Jackson had well-publicized gastric bypass surgery and has subsequently lost over a hundred pounds.

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Contrary to popular belief, Randy Jackson is not a cousin of actor Samuel L. Jackson. http://www.dailyvidette.org/media/paper420/news/2005/02/03/EZone/american.Idol.Judge.Randy.Jackson.Strives.For.Stardom-851165.shtml, nor is he related to any other famous Jackson.

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June 23: June 23 is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 191 days remaining....

1956: 1956 was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar....

Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Baton Rouge, French: B?ton-Rouge (pronounced in English, and in French) is the capital of Louisiana, a state of the United States of America, and is the second largest city in Louisiana behind New Orleans. As of the 2000 census, its population is 227,818. It is the parish seat of East Baton Roug...

Randy Jackson related Images and Photos (experimental)

Playing Jacks on the Doorstep	Jackson Hole	Randy Moss	Randy Moss
Randy Moss	Randy Moss	Jackson Square	Randy Orton
Randy Rhoads	Randy Rhoads	Randy Rhoads	"Weeds ""My Name is R Andy"" Men's T-Shirt"