Randy Jackson Celebrates 65th Birthday

Legendary record producer, musician, television personality, and all-around nice guy Randy Jackson is turning 65 today!

Jackson started his career in the early 1980s, playing bass guitar as a session musician. At one point, he became a member of the band Journey and played with them for several years. His credits over the decades, either through performing with or producing for, include various huge names like Jon Bon Jovi, Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Richard Marx, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, and Bob Dylan.

Jackson is perhaps most well-known as a judge on American Idol. The talent competition premiered in 2002 and immediately blew up in the ratings as he, along with Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul, searched for the next big singing sensation. The show would go on to produce stars like Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, and Carrie Underwood.

He has since gone on to host a radio show, produce more hit TV, invest in businesses, and star on the 2021 revival of Name That Tune as the bandleader. Jackson even got into the literary game, writing the book “Body With Soul” in 2008, which talks about his struggles with weight and diabetes, and which gave helpful advice to those fighting the disease.

Randy Jackson and Kenny G at the ISINA Arrival Finale at the Belasco Theater

We’d be remiss to not also note that Randy Jackson was a big part of our previous mentorship program, so we consider him an old friend at ISINA. From all of us on the team, we wish him a truly happy 65th birthday and many more to come!

ISINA Team