Chuck Jackson, one of the throaty singers who defined the soul music explosion in the United States during the 1960s, died on February 16 at age 85.

Jackson was wildly popular in Jamaica where he performed many times, starting in the early 1960s. I Don’t Want to Cry, his first hit song, was released in 1961 and co-written by Luther Dixon, who lived in Jamaica for several years.

I Don’t Want to Cry remains a favourite on Sunday radio in Jamaica. So too Willow Tree, a song covered with great success, rocksteady style, by Alton Ellis.

Tell Him I’m Not Home, released in 1963, was another strong seller for North Carolina-born Jackson. Sanchez’ dancehall cover for producer Lloyd “King Jammy” James was one of the songs that ruled the dancehall in 1988.

Any Day Now, Jackson’s biggest commercial hit, was covered by Dennis Brown. It was co-written by Burt Bacharach, who died February 8 at age 94.

Released in 1962, Any Day Now was a global hit and announced Bacharach’s arrival as a composer of pop hits.

Jackson was among many black American artistes who performed in Jamaica throughout the 1960s, a time of racial upheaval in their country. Others were Johnny Nash, Eddie Floyd and Ben E King.