*Alicia Keys paid tribute to black radio pioneer Hal Jackson on Thursday at his funeral held in Harlem.
Friends and family gathered at Riverside Church to pay their respects to the iconic DJ, who passed away last week at age 97.
Keys, one of the speakers at the service, told attendees, “I’m sorry for our loss, but I’m grateful for his life.”
Congressman Charles Rangel (L) and former New York Mayor David Dinkins
She said Jackson was the very first DJ to play her debut single “Fallin’” on the radio and she was ecstatic when it happened: “I wanted the whole neighborhood to hear it. This was my song on the radio, and Hal Jackson played it first.”
The memorial service also featured a tribute by Rev. Al Sharpton and performances by singers Valerie Simpson, Melba Moore and Alyson Williams.
Wow! RIP, Mr. Jackson. I loved those “Sunday Morning Classics!”
Same here. Mr. Jackson was a legend in his own time…he done good. Rest in peace, Mr. Jackson.
Hopefully she speak about tips on ‘how to steal
A husband’.
Gayle, u r sooooo wrong for that.
@Gayle K, Shame on you. You must be a miserable person. Alicia has always tried to help others and to say she stole a human being is just stupid. I applaud her for her commitment to help these people and the inspiration she gives to others.
Rest in peace Hal Jackson. A true radio legend.