Life and Times with Gil Scott Heron: Interview with Brian Jackson 

I would have been around 14 or 15 years old when a friend of my brother's invited us down to his parents house for us to hone our Northern Soul dance steps. We had. great time dancing to songs such as Skiing In The Snow - Ghost In My House - Manifesto - They're Talking About Me - Condition Red ... and many more of our favourites. Then Benny, our friend said " Have a listen to this " and he pulled out the album Winter In America and played us The Bottle. That was an incredibly pivotal / inspirational moment in my life. It would have been 1975/76. Not only did it inspire me to write lyrics and experiment musically, but it also helped put me on the correct path of spiritual morality. I adored Gil and Brian's music. They had a wonderful chemistry together ( in a similar way to John Martin and Danny Thompson but in a different genre ) Winter In America remains a favourite album of mine which is still played most weeks. Awesome interview. 🙏

I can’t stop listening to Peace. It’s such an emotional song.

Man I'm so glad you posted this interview. Me my brother and my friends will listen to you cats all the time when we were teenagers and a few years after I got out the war my brother and I saw you and Gil Scott in Boston Massachusetts we was broke but desperate to hear our hero Mr. Gill Scott live during the mid seventies. As I remember Gill Scott saw us sneak in but he seemed to understand, I learned that night that he had a second keyboard player, "you." Anyway I stood up and watched Gill Scott's hands every set and you cat's inspired me so much that I started playing and studying jazz piano after that and that's been my livelihood until this day. Thank you my brother.

This man never ages! He’s almost 70 but looks 50.

Bought my first vinyl from GSH at a flewmarket in NYC not having a turntable since I was from abroad on an internship. Waited 8 months to be back in Hamburg, Germany to discover your music and listen to it all my studies and ever since. Heard GSH live in concerts, speechless. You are such great artists, all my respect and thank you for enlighting my life with your vibes.

Brian and Gil were part of one of the most revolutionary groups in music history! A fantastic expose!

Brian is absolutely fantastic...bless Gil Scott Heron

Wow! What a great interview man.

As long as I suck air jazz will live on. Thank you Mr Jackson for many memories and joy.

I love that anecdote of them playing the three songs for the record exec and him following it with "who do you want on the album?" That must have felt like magic for two young, aspiring songwriters.

Great interview, only wish it was longer or a Part 2. I attended a performance in the 70s in Louisville KY and it was awesome!! Speaking of Sylvia & Joe Robinson, this is the 2nd or 3rd time I’m hearing of their shady deals in business. I guess it was a common practice, whereas these days people need competent lawyers to go through the contracts for clarity.

I listen to your music daily... studio and live... daily...

Fantastic interview!

both brian jackson and gil scott heron musical geniuses nothing comes close today

A modest guy, but a genius on the keyboards

Wonderful insight this is. ❤

Greatness!

GREAT STORY

just brilliant

The thing about "The Bottle" is that its rhythm and grooves are almost intoxicating like when you drink alcohol. I don't know if that was on purpose or not, but that's why the song is still celebrated to this day.

Beautiful

Wow

Sold 1 mio copys and not getting a cent out of it, that is so brutal and sad.

Thank you so much for sharing this. Capitalism encourages greed and all manner of treachery.

Greetings Brother, Are any of your albums released on vinyl? I plan to seek out your CDs but I dig LPs. Keep up your beautiful work.

100% publishing??!! 😲😳 dang