Jackie Moore: The Soulful Voice of 1970s R&B

Jackie Moore is an American R&B and soul singer best known for her powerful, emotive vocals and a string of hits in the 1970s. Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, she achieved her greatest commercial success with the timeless disco-soul classic Precious, Precious, which became a major chart success.

Early career

Born in 1946, Jackie Moore began singing in church in her native Jacksonville. Her professional break came in the late 1960s when she signed with the New York-based Atlantic Records subsidiary, Atco, releasing her debut single in 1969.

Her early work for Atco, including the singles Dear John and Sometimes It's Got To Rain (In Your Love Life), established her soulful style but did not break through nationally. This period set the stage for her move to a new label that would define her career.

Breakthrough

Jackie Moore's breakthrough arrived in 1973 after signing with Columbia Records. Her first single for the label, Precious, Precious, became an instant smash, climbing to number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching number 12 on the R&B chart.

The song's success was driven by its infectious, rolling piano riff and Moore's commanding vocal performance. It propelled her album of the same name and cemented her status as a formidable voice in the soul and burgeoning disco scene.

Key tracks

Precious, Precious — This 1973 single is her signature hit, a masterful blend of deep soul and early disco that remains a dance floor staple.

Sweet Charlie Babe — Released in 1974, this track showcased her versatility with a smoother, more melodic soul sound that also performed well on the R&B charts.

Make Me Feel Like A Woman — A later career highlight from 1979, this song saw Moore fully embrace the disco era with a lush, orchestrated production.

Both Ends Against The Middle — This 1979 single became her second major club hit, demonstrating her enduring appeal in the dance music market.

Following these hits, Jackie Moore continued to record through the late 1970s and into the 1980s, working with producers like Dave Crawford. Her later work for Columbia and subsequent labels adapted to the changing sounds of funk and boogie while retaining her distinctive vocal power.

Though she did not replicate the massive chart success of Precious, Precious, her influence persisted. Her recordings have been frequently sampled by hip-hop artists and her classics are revered by soul and disco collectors worldwide.

Fans of Jackie Moore's heartfelt soul and dance-oriented sound should also explore the work of Millie Jackson for similarly bold and narrative-driven R&B. The sophisticated Philadelphia soul of The Three Degrees shares a melodic elegance with Moore's ballads. Listeners might also enjoy the powerful vocals of Deniece Williams, who also navigated the soul and disco genres. For the Southern soul roots of her sound, check out Candi Staton.

Jackie Moore's music maintains a steady presence on the airwaves, particularly on classic soul and disco FM stations, as well as specialist online radio streams dedicated to 1970s R&B. Her timeless recordings are a fixture on playlists that celebrate the golden era of dance music.

You can hear the soulful hits of Jackie Moore on radio stations featured on our website. Discover her music and listen to her iconic voice through the curated classic soul and disco radio stations available on onairium.com.