Robert Jaceks (Differently)

Robert Jaceks

Jaceks in his final interview in April 2014, shortly before his death
Born	January 3, 1947 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Died	June 29, 2014 (aged 67) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Years active	1963-2011; 2014
Occupation(s)	Singer, musician, songwriter, guitarist, peace activist
Genre	Rock, hard rock, heavy metal, thrash metal, psychedelia, alternative rock, indie rock
Instruments	Vocals, guitar
Spouse	Brooke Adams (m. 1976-2014)
Children	3
Associated acts	The Evergoers The Stooges Black Sabbath Bruce Springsteen Randy Rhoads Dio Thrice

Robert Adam Jaceks (January 3, 1947 – June 29, 2014) was a Canadian-American singer, musician, songwriter, guitarist, and peace activist who achieved worldwide fame as the lead guitarist and backing vocalist of the rock band the Evergoers, with whom he played from 1968 to their breakup in 1985. A solo artist from 1987 to his death in 2014, he released two albums, Femurbreaker and Whackjob and several other singles, his last single before his passing being 2014's "Black Honey" (recorded in December of 2013 with Thrice providing the instrumental track). His musical partnership with Johnnye Fogelmann remains one of the most successful in history. Jaceks' "Roundhouse" guitar technique has been mimicked by multiple different musicians.

The official lyric video for Black Honey on Screeno, the most viewed and popular music video on the site behind the Marshall Mathers Band's live rendition of "My Girl" with Garth Brooks, the most viewed music video on Screeno currently

Jaceks was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in January of 1947, moving at the age of two to the United States with his family, originally living in Taft. He began playing guitar at the age of nine, and moved with his family to California in 1961. After joining several unsuccessful acts, he worked briefly as a session musician before meeting Fogelmann and Donald Carlson at a rehearsal in 1966, forming the Evergoers two years later. He initially provided vocals for the group's early projects, a role that was ceded to Fogelmann shortly before the release of their debut album, the Rusty Dumpster in 1971. The band achieved worldwide success with their erratic stage personae, as well as their whimsical but dark lyrical themes influenced by political commentary and the American War.

Jaceks was married to actress Brooke Adams from 1976 to his death in 2014. He collaborated with many musicians in the years following the Evergoers' breakup, including Iggy Pop, Randy Rhoads, Bruce Springsteen, Ozzy Osbourne, and Ronnie James Dio. Him and the Evergoers were inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Jaceks died of mesothelioma on June 29, 2014, in Los Angeles at the age of 67.

Biography

Early life

Jaceks was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on January 3, 1947, moving at the age of two to the United States with his family, originally living in Taft before moving to California. Robert developed an interest in music at a young age. According to his sister Patrina, he began singing at the age of two. At age nine, he started playing the guitar and wrote a song about a creek outside his home, which would later become a 1979 Evergoers song called "Sounds From the Creek".

Jaceks was described as a happy and excitable child, who also exhibited sensitivity and care.

Although brought up to follow his father's career path, Jaceks said in Rusty Dumpsters. "I always sang and played guitar as a child. I was one of those kids who just liked to sing and play instruments and shit. Some kids sing in choirs; others like to show off in front of the mirror. I was in the church choir and I also loved listening to singers on the radio or watching them on TV and in the movies."

Early career: 1963-1966

Jaceks playing guitar at a New York apartment he lived in with his then girlfriend, Wanda, in December of 1965; Robert was eighteen years old at the time

Last Evergoers reunion at Live 8: 2005

Robert Jaceks in 2011