Deon Jackson Notes

The info below is taken from the sleeve notes of the Atco LP "Love Makes The world Go round" which is well worth digging round for.

Over the past few years Detroit has emerged as one of the major sources of record talent in the United States. From the motor city and the surrounding area have come such important record artists as The Supremes, Barbara Lewis, Mary Wells, Martha and The Vandellas, and many others who rate high on today's record scene. The latest artist from the Detroit area to gain the big time is Deon Jackson, whose hit recording, Love Makes The World Go Round, has made him known in many more cities throughout the country than just Detroit or his home town of Ann Arbor.

Deon Jackson's singing style is warm, sweet and appealing. He is a pop singer through and through, one who can be enjoyed by teens or adults. His favorite singers include Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Barbra Streisand and Dionne Warwick. He enjoys singing ballads, especially those with meaning, the type of song that has something to say. He .s an avid follower of Broadway show material. Deon is looked upon by many music industry observers as the hottest new young male singer to come along during the 1960's.

In his early years Deon Jackson wanted to be a musician. He studied both clarinet and drums in grade school and became proficient on both instruments. But in 1960, while in high school in Ann Arbor, he formed a singing group with some of his school friends and started his singing career. The group played high school dates and built a reputation among their fellow students. Deon also did a lot of singing as a soloist while in high school, and performed in local talent contests. In his spare time he concentrated on writing songs.

Deon's professional career started in 1962 when music business veteran Ollie McLaughlin (discoverer and producer of Barbara Lewis) heard him sing one of his own songs at a high school concert. A few months later he recorded Deon singing one of his own songs, You Said You Love Me. A short time after that he recorded Deon in another one of his own compositions, Come Back Home. Although neither one of these records became a national hit, they both sold well in Detroit.

Ollie McLaughlin became Deon's manager, and the singer spent two years perform. ing at record hops and dances, local club dates and one-nighters in the Detroit area. He also spent considerable time on his songwriting.

In the spring of 1965 McLaughlin heard a new Deon Jackson tune, Love Makes The World Go Round. He liked it so much he quickly had Deon record it and released it in late 1965 on his own Caria label. It became an immediate best-seller in Detroit after being introduced by Robin Seymour on his bandstand show "Swingin' Tirre" on CKLW-TV in the winter of 1965. As Ollie McLaughlin says: "Robin believed in it all the way." After breaking loose in Detroit Deon's recording turned into a nation-wide Top Ten smash.

Since that time Deon Jackson's life has become a whirlpool of activity. TV shows, radio and magazine interviews, club dates, one-nighter tours, concerts and travel have become a regular part of his life. As one of the most exciting new young singers on the record scene he is in demand everywhere.

Deon Jackson's winning performances on this album show why he has quickly become a favorite with the younger set, and has won acceptance with adults as well. At the age of 20 Deon Jackson is on his way to a bright and successful future.

BOB ROLONTZ