We have all come to know the man known as Randy Jackson from the hugely popular television reality show, American Idol in which Randy and his co-horts, record exec Simon Cowell and 80's washed-up pop star Paula Abdul rate "up-and-coming" singing talent. Often confused with the "other" Randy Jackson, brother of famous child molester/music monolith Michael Jackson and member of Gary, Indiana's best export, the Jackson 5, this Randy Jackson is far more talented than the former. The image portrayed by American Idol of Randy is one of an overly critical no-talent sack of human waste that is in love with the word "dog". What this portrayal doesn't show America is that Randy was a pop music legend.

I had the honor of jamming with Randy "Thunderhips" ( a name given to him by Neil Schon during the Journey 1985-86 Raised on Radio World Tour ) Jackson in early '85 (see photo left). I was a session keyboard player in LA working with Rick O'Kasic of the Cars on a new concept album fusing jazz, surf guitar and whale song. We were high a lot back then.. Randy played a pink polka-dot Fender P-bass he tenderly called "Fatback". He was a bass-playing monster. He played scales faster than Louie Anderson running to the buffet line. After our project was rejected by Irving Azoff ( head of A&M Records at the time ) I called up my fishing partner, Steve Perry, who was looking for a new bass player, and recomended Randy for the job as new bass player for the 80's best pop outfit, Journey.

Randy soon joined Journey for their Raised on Radio 1986 World Tour.

The rest is history... more to come..


This story is satire and is not to be taken as fact. Seacrest... out!