Читать книгу J.J. Jackson Remembers Led Zeppelin: The Music and The Guys Who Made It - Frank Ph.D Reddon - Страница 5

Editor’s note: Frank and I were delighted when Martha Quinn graciously agreed to share her recollections of her co-worker and friend, the late J.J. Jackson.

In 1981, Martha and J.J., along with Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman and Alan Hunter, became the first-ever video jocks (VJs). These five oh-so-cool pioneers were there to launch the then-new enterprise, Music TV (MTV).

Martha continues to work in the music business as an actor and director. It is an honour for us to include her fond words of tribute to this beloved friend of hers - and Led Zeppelin’s.

L.A. Reddon

J.J. Jackson and I worked together as part of the world’s first VJ team at MTV in 1981. At the time, I thought I knew all I needed to know about my co-worker, friend and confidant. Ah, the folly of youth!

JJ passed away in 2004. As time has progressed, I’ve been able to do with JJ as he talks in these pages of having done with Led Zeppelin: put him in an historical context.

Now I can clearly see the rock’n’roll heavyweight JJ truly was.

He conducted Bruce Springsteen’s first-ever TV interview.

He was instrumental in the careers of Rod Stewart and The Who.

And then, there’s Led Zeppelin. JJ Jackson, original MTV VJ, has been credited by Zeppelin as having been crucial to the band’s success in the US and, therefore, worldwide.

In 1969, JJ was a DJ at Boston’s legendary radio station, WBCN. He played for his audience a test-pressing of Jimmy Page’s new project. It was the debut album for Page’s new band, Led Zeppelin.

JJ was playing it for his audience before the album had even been released in the US. The enthusiasm for what JJ heard in the grooves whipped his audience into a frenzy.

Led Zeppelin’s first Boston shows were massively successful because of JJ Jackson.

These music legends never forgot JJ’s early support. He became a dear friend to the band.

In 1977, Led Zeppelin dedicated a song to JJ when they played the Forum in Los Angeles, JJ’s new hometown. His friendship with the guys in Led Zeppelin provides a view into the band that only an insider can share.

JJ was a seasoned rock expert who could roll off assessments of songs such as Good Times Bad Times like this:

“Zeppelin is able to embody the very ‘hard-edged’ elements that will redefine popular music forever, encased within this very short, airy type of pop song, but with the fierce intensity that would prove to be their band’s trademark from this point onward.”

I highly recommend that you Led Zeppelin fans pull out your copy of Zeppelin’s debut album and listen track by track as you read along with JJ’s analysis. I guarantee you’ll gain a new appreciation for both MTV’s original VJ, JJ Jackson, and Led Zeppelin’s debut masterpiece.

I miss JJ so much. From the bottom of my heart, I pray he’s in constant heaven.

Thank you, Frank and Lou Anne Reddon, for bringing the wisdom of JJ Jackson to the world today.