Robert Jackson (born 6 January 1949, Coventry, England) is an English rock musician most famous for being a member of Badfinger from 1974–75 and 1981–83, and of The Fortunes from 1995-2019. He currently tours under the name Badfinger in the United Kingdom.
Jackson's first band, Indian Summer, was formed in the 1969. They released one album in 1971. In 1972, Bob was the keyboardist for the band "Rigor Mortis", led by John EntwistleofThe Who.[1] Jackson joined Badfinger, after Pete Ham had a three-week hiatus from the band due to problems surrounding and manager Kathie Molland, wife of Badfinger guitarist Joey Molland.[1] Ham returned after the three weeks off in time for a tour, and Jackson remained in the band as a full-time keyboardist.
Jackson was in Badfinger from 1974 to April 1975, when the band ended following the suicide of Pete Ham aged 27. Jackson did return in a new version of the band led by Tom Evans in 1982. Evans and Jackson became part of a group called the Dodgers.[2] They released three British singles on Island Records in 1976.[3] "Don't Let Me Be Wrong" was the act's only US release, but failed to chart.
Jackson in 1990
In 1995, Jackson joined The Fortunes.[4][5] In 2015, former member Bob Jackson formed his own version of Badfinger with current members Andy Nixon, Michael Healey, and Ted Duggan to honour the memory of Pete Ham, Tom Evans, and Mike Gibbins and undertook a 23 date UK theatre tour, playing to over 20,000 people.[6][7][8]
In September 2019, Jackson was severely ill in the hospital for six months, and was replaced by rotating musicians during his time off. He ultimately decided to step down from the group;[5] he had been the keyboardist for the Fortunes for nearly 25 years.
