Raymond Jackson (songwriter) facts for kids

Raymond Earl Jackson (September 11, 1941 – November 10, 1972) was a talented American musician, songwriter, and record producer. He wrote many popular rhythm and blues (R&B) songs, especially while working at Stax Records in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Some of his big hits included "Who's ...", which he wrote with Homer Banks and Bettye Crutcher. He also co-wrote "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right" and "If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)" with Homer Banks and Carl Hampton.

Life and Music

Raymond Jackson grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. When he was a teenager, he formed his first music group, the Soul Consolators, with his good friend and musical partner, Homer Banks. They wrote all their songs together.

After serving in the US Army from 1966 to 1968, Raymond teamed up again with Homer Banks. Homer had started working at Stax Records, a famous music studio. Raymond played guitar on a song for Johnnie Taylor, which became a huge hit. It reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart and number five on the Hot 100 chart.

Raymond, Homer Banks, and Bettye Crutcher formed a songwriting team called We Three. They wrote more hits, including "Take Care Of Your Homework" and "I Could Never Be President" for Johnnie Taylor. They also wrote "I Like What You're Doing (To Me)" for Carla Thomas.

Later, Raymond and Homer Banks worked with Carl Hampton. They wrote more popular songs for groups like The Staple Singers, Luther Ingram, and The Emotions. One of their most famous songs was "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right." Luther Ingram's version of this song reached number one on the R&B chart in 1972. Many other artists later recorded this song. Raymond also helped write Ingram's "I'll Be Your Shelter (In Time Of Storm)." For the Staple Singers, he co-wrote "If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)" and "Touch a Hand, Make a Friend".

Raymond Jackson passed away in November 1972, at the age of 31, due to a house fire.

Family Connections

Raymond Jackson's sons, Raymond Earl Jackson Jr. and Cornelius Jackson, are also musicians. In 2020, they started a group called We Three Productions with Jimi Hill. Raymond's brother, Robert Jackson, worked as an engineer at Stax Records. He later worked at Ardent Studio and managed the famous musician Isaac Hayes.