Terry Jacks Canadian pop musician; singer-songwriter and producer Date of Birth: 29.03.1944 Country: Canada

Terry Jacks Biography

Terry Jacks is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, and environmental activist. He was born Terrance Ross Jacks on March 29, 1944, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. In the early 1960s, his family moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, where Terry learned to play the guitar. At the age of 18, he formed his own band called 'The Chessmen' with guitarist Guy Sobell. From 1964 to 1966, their songs entered the top ten charts four times.

After 'The Chessmen', Terry joined forces with local singer Susan Pesklevits, who later became his wife and changed her name to Susan Jacks. Terry played the guitar while Susan provided vocals. The duo, along with guitarist Craig McCaw and tabla player Satwant Singh, formed a group called 'The Poppy Family'. They often collaborated with session musicians from Vancouver on their recordings. In 1969, their debut album 'Which Way You Goin' Billy?' became a commercial success, reaching number one on the Canadian charts and number two on the Billboard chart in the United States. The album's title track sold over three million copies and became the first million-selling record from British Columbia. The group received a Juno Award, and Terry Jacks received a personal Juno for 'Best Single Producer'.

'The Poppy Family' released their second album, 'Poppy Seeds', in 1971, which achieved moderate success. However, it paved the way for Terry Jacks' solo projects. His solo single 'Concrete Sea' reached number one in Canada in 1972. By 1973, the group disbanded, and Terry produced Susan Jacks' solo album 'I Thought Of You Again' and his own solo album 'Seasons in the Sun'. The English adaptation of Jacques Brel's song 'Le Moribond', with lyrics by Rod McKuen, became a worldwide hit and earned Terry four Juno Awards. His other singles, 'If You Go Away' and 'Rock & Roll (I Gave You The Best Years Of My Life)', were well-received in Canada and had moderate success in the United States.

Terry Jacks wrote and released several of his own songs, including four studio albums: 'Seasons in the Sun' (1974), 'Y' Don't Fight The Sea' (1975), 'Pulse' (1983), and 'Just Like That' (1987). He also produced albums for Susan Jacks, Buddy Knox, and the band 'Chilliwack', among others. In the late 1970s, Terry married Margaret Zittier, and they have a daughter named Holly Michelle Jacks. He gradually shifted his focus to environmental activism, particularly concerning pollution caused by Canadian pulp and paper industries. Terry's efforts in this field earned him several awards, including one from the United Nations. He also worked on a documentary film about the issue, which received recognition at the New York International Film Festival. Currently, Terry Jacks resides in Pender Harbour, British Columbia, and occasionally performs in Europe.