Actor and occasional singer best known for his roles in the soap operas General Hospital, Bold & The Beautiful and Melrose Place.
A west coast pop vocalistâ¦..
In 1983, Jack Wagner and his alter ego joined the cast of F as the lead singer of Blackie Parrishâs band Riff Raff. The show was lacking in younger leading men and with John Stamosâ possible departure, Executive Producer Gloria Monty began touting Jack as âGHâs next big thingâ. When John Stamos and his character bid Port Charles adieu, Monty quickly paired Frisco with a leading lady â Tania Roskov. As Frisco was a singer, it naturally followed that he would serenade his ladylove. The song of choice was âAll I Needâ.
âAll I Needâ quickly caught the attention of viewers and prompted GHâs Music Director to pair Jack with a label to get the song released. Soon after, mega producer Quincy Jones signed Jack to his record label Qwest Records. In 1984, âAll I Needâ was released as a five single EP along with several of the songs performed by Jackâs fictional band Riff Raff.
As Frisco and Jackâs popularity skyrocketed, Gloria Monty decided that it was time for Frisco to get an epic romance. With Luke and Laura out of the picture, the show lacked a true supercouple. Enter Felicia and another love theme from the full LP release of âAll I Needâ. Frisco and Feliciaâs song was the tender ballad âLady of My Heartâ, which will eternally define this couple. The release of the LP also gave Jack the opportunity to star in the rarely seen music video for the single âPremonitionâ.
In 1985, Jack released his second album entitled âLighting Up the Nightâ. The first release from the album was the ode to lost love âToo Youngâ. The second album marked Jackâs first foray into songwriting as the co-writer of the tracks âKeep Holding Onâ and âLetâs Start All Overâ. The second release from the album was âLove Will Take Us All the Wayâ, which was to become Frisco and Feliciaâs second love theme. The soulful ballad, along with its steamy music video, got Jack noticed by a more contemporary and diverse audience with heavy rotation on the cable channels VH-1 and BET. The song even gave Jack the opportunity to perform on the syndicated âSoul Trainâ, which was a rarity for a pop singer at the time.
In 1987, Jack released his third album. Ironically, the album was entitled âDonât Give Up Your Day Jobâ, which was exactly what Jack planned to do. The featured release from the album was the up-tempo âWeatherman Saysâ. The song was also promoted with a stylish music video. This album helped Jack continue his creative evolution as the songwriter and/or producer of âLoveâ¦Find Itâ, âLovers in the Nightâ, âItâs Been a Long Timeâ and the life affirming âBack Home Againâ.
After a two-year return to his theatrical roots, Jack made his way back to General Hospital in 1989. Upon his return, he presented the producers with a tune heâd penned for his forthcoming album. The song was âThe Right Keyâ and Jack felt it was the perfect song for the star-crossed Frisco and the lady of his heart, Felicia. The song caught on with GH viewers when Frisco serenaded Felicia with an acoustic rendition of the tune. Unfortunately, Jack was in the middle of changing record labels and the new album, produced by 80âs sensation Ray Parker Jr., was shelved.
Six years after the release of his last album, Jack gave his fans âAlone in a Crowdâ in 1993. He again had the opportunity to write and produce many tracks, but this time, the songs gave the audience a look at the personal journey of Jack Wagner. The lyrics were peppered with acknowledgments of love, adoration and hope for his family. Most notably, âKeeper of Your Nameâ was a tribute to his father while âPart of Meâ was a tribute to his son. On another personal note, the albumâs title was representative of Jackâs disillusionment with the recording industry. However, the songs âTo Be Mineâ and âLove is on Your Mindâ which he performed on the TV series âSanta Barbaraâ, were included.
In 2003, Jack joined the cast of the internationally acclaimed daytime drama âThe Bold & the Beautifulâ. After Jackâs character Nick Payne performed the Eric Clapton classic âWonderful Tonightâ, B&B Executive Producer Brad Bell decided that he wanted to incorporate music into Nickâs storyline. He convinced Jack to create a tune for his characterâs lady love Brooke. Jack and his writing partner penned the ethereal âGoing Back Againâ . Jack continued to write songs for his character, which would eventually become the basis for his 2005 CD âDancing in the Moonlightâ. The CD marked Jackâs first release in twelve years.
In 2007, a remastered edition of Jackâs debut CD âAll I Needâ was released. The CD included liner notes written by writer/mega-producer Glen Ballard who recalled Jackâs commitment and admirable work ethic.
In 2011, Jack released âWill the Rain Fall Downâ, co-written by Jeff Pescetto, on iTunes. The song was featured on The Bold and the Beautiful as well. Jack continues to play concerts around the country, most frequently returning to the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut.