Music
Pervis Jackson
1938–2008 · bass singer
Founding bass singer and spokesman of the Spinners, famous for the "12:45" line in "Games People Play".
- Born
New Orleans, Louisiana- Died
Detroit, Michigan
aged 70- Detroit years
- 1940s–2008
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Born in New Orleans, Jackson moved with his family to Detroit as a small child. He was one of the founding members of the group formed around 1954 at Lincoln High School in Ferndale, just north of the city, which became the Spinners and signed with Harvey Fuqua's Detroit label Tri-Phi in 1961 before moving to Motown. His deep bass and calm stage manner made him a well-known figure around Detroit, and he served as the group's spokesman. In the 1970s, after the Spinners moved to Atlantic and began working with producer Thom Bell, he became known for his one-line cameo, "12:45", in the 1975 Top 10 hit "Games People Play"; the group also recorded "It's a Shame" and "Working My Way Back to You". He stayed with the Spinners until he died of cancer in Detroit in 2008, and he is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery on the city's north side.
Highlights
- Founding bass singer of the Spinners (1954–2008)
- Famous "12:45" line in "Games People Play" (1975)
- Group spokesman
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2023 (posthumously)
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 3
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Studied here · 1954
Lincoln High School
Status being checked
The Spinners were formed here in 1954 by schoolfriends.
Recorded here · 1963–1971
Motown Museum
The Spinners recorded their Motown singles here.
Buried here · 2008
Woodlawn Cemetery
His grave.