Susan Jacks
Susan Jacks (née Pesklevits; August 19, 1948 – April 25, 2022) was a Canadian singer and songwriter, renowned as the lead vocalist of the late-1960s and early-1970s pop group The Poppy Family, which achieved international success with hits like "Which Way You Goin' Billy?" and "Where Evil Grows."[1][2] Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, she moved to Haney (now Maple Ridge), British Columbia, at age nine and began singing publicly from a young age, performing in school and joining high school bands.[1] In 1967, Jacks married musician Terry Jacks, whom she met on the Vancouver television show Let's Go, and the couple formed The Poppy Family in 1968 with guitarist Craig McCaw and tabla player Satwant Singh.[3][4] Their debut single "Which Way You Goin' Billy?"—originally titled "Buddy" and renamed after Susan's brother—topped the charts in Canada and reached number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1970, selling over three million copies worldwide.[3][4] Follow-up successes included "That's Where I Went Wrong" and "Where Evil Grows," the latter later featured in the 2020 film Sonic the Hedgehog.[4] The group recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and released albums such as Which Way You Goin' Billy? (1969) and Poppy Seeds (1971) before disbanding in 1973 following the couple's divorce.[1][4] Transitioning to a solo career, Jacks released albums including I Thought of You Again (1973), Dream (1975), and Ghosts (1980), earning Juno Award nominations for tracks like "Anna Marie," "Love Has No Pride," and "All the Tea in China."[3] She won Best New Country Artist in Oklahoma for "Tall Dark Stranger" and worked as a staff songwriter in Nashville, where she lived from 1983 to 2004.[3] Jacks was inducted into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame and continued performing until health challenges arose; she battled kidney disease, receiving a transplant from her brother Bill in 2010, but succumbed to an infection and heart failure in Surrey, British Columbia, at age 73 while awaiting a second transplant.[3][1]Early life
Childhood and family
Susan Jacks was born Susan Pesklevits on August 19, 1948, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to Janette Pesklevits (née Wallace), a homemaker, and Dick Pesklevits, a teacher.[5] She was the second of eight children in the family, growing up in a bustling household that emphasized close-knit bonds.[5][6] At the age of nine, Jacks' family relocated from Saskatoon to Haney—now a community within Maple Ridge, British Columbia—about 30 kilometers east of Vancouver, where they adjusted to life in a smaller West Coast town.[1] This move marked a significant shift from the prairie environment to the coastal region, shaping her early experiences in a new community.[1][6] The dynamics of her large family, supported by her parents' roles in education and homemaking, provided a stable foundation that contributed to Jacks' resilient and adaptable nature during her formative years.[5]Musical beginnings
Susan Jacks, born Susan Pesklevits, demonstrated an early affinity for music, performing as a child star in British Columbia after her family relocated there from Saskatoon when she was nine. Supported by her family, she began singing publicly at age 13, hosting her own radio show and earning her first paid performance at 14 by singing at a Royal Canadian Legion dance in Haney (now part of Maple Ridge). She continued to build her local reputation through appearances at talent shows and additional radio spots across the province.[7][8] By age 15, Jacks had caught the attention of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), becoming a regular performer on teen-oriented television programs in the mid-1960s. She featured prominently on the Vancouver-based Let's Go, a local music variety show that fed into the national Music Hop, where she showcased her singing talents alongside emerging artists. These appearances marked her entry into the broader Vancouver entertainment scene, honing her stage presence through live performances of contemporary pop songs.[1][8][9] In 1966, at around age 17, Jacks met guitarist Terry Jacks on the set of Music Hop, connecting through the vibrant Vancouver music community that included high school acquaintances and local club circuits. This encounter led to initial collaborations, with Terry providing guitar accompaniment for her solo gigs and the pair experimenting with harmonies. Jacks's vocal style, characterized by a clear, emotive delivery, drew from pop and folk influences such as the Everly Brothers, Connie Francis, Tony Bennett, the Beatles, and Dusty Springfield, shaping her versatile approach to both upbeat tunes and ballads.[8][10]Career
The Poppy Family
The Poppy Family was formed in 1968 in Vancouver, British Columbia, by Canadian singer Susan Jacks and her husband, musician and producer Terry Jacks, who had previously performed together in local bands.[11] Shortly thereafter, guitarist Craig McCaw and tabla player Satwant Singh joined, establishing the quartet's core lineup and infusing their music with a distinctive blend of psychedelic pop and Eastern percussion elements.[12] Susan Jacks, leveraging her earlier experience as a regular on Canadian television music shows, took on the role of lead vocalist, providing the emotive voice that became central to the band's appeal. The band's breakthrough came with their debut single, "Which Way You Goin' Billy?", released in 1969 and written by Terry Jacks as a poignant reflection on the Vietnam War draft and its personal toll.[13] The track's dreamy, psychedelic pop arrangement—highlighted by swirling guitars, harmonious vocals, and Singh's subtle tabla rhythms—propelled it to number one on the RPM 100 in Canada and number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, while also achieving top-ten status in the UK (number seven) and number one in Ireland, alongside charting at number 95 in Australia. This international success, selling millions worldwide, marked The Poppy Family as a prominent act in the late-1960s pop scene.[14] Building on this momentum, the group released their self-titled debut album Which Way You Goin' Billy? later in 1969, produced entirely by Terry Jacks at Mushroom Studios in Vancouver.[15] The record explored themes of love, longing, and subtle social commentary, with tracks like "What Can the Matter Be?" addressing racial prejudice, all enveloped in the band's signature sunny psychedelia.[16] Their follow-up album, Poppy Seeds, arrived in 1971, again under Terry Jacks's production, delving deeper into romantic introspection and societal observations through songs such as "Where Evil Grows," which critiqued destructive relationships.[17] These releases solidified their sound, characterized by McCaw's sitar-inflected guitar and Singh's tabla, which provided rhythmic depth and an exotic flair reminiscent of global fusion influences.[18] The Poppy Family's internal dynamics revolved around the creative partnership of Susan and Terry Jacks, with McCaw and Singh contributing instrumental innovation that elevated their live performances. Singh's tabla, in particular, introduced polyrhythmic textures drawn from Indian traditions, enhancing the psychedelic atmosphere and distinguishing the band from mainstream pop contemporaries.[12] From 1969 to 1971, they toured extensively across Canada and the United States, including high-profile appearances at venues like the Expo '70 in Osaka, Japan, though their primary focus remained North American audiences, where they built a dedicated following through energetic sets blending hits and covers.Solo career
Following the disbandment of The Poppy Family in 1973, Susan Jacks launched her solo career with the release of her debut album, I Thought of You Again, produced by her then-husband Terry Jacks on the Goldfish label.[4][19] The title track, "I Thought of You Again," served as her first solo single and became a hit in Canada, peaking at number 7 on the RPM 100 chart and reaching number 7 among the year's top Canadian singles.[20][21] This success built on the visibility gained from The Poppy Family's earlier hits, marking Jacks' transition to a more introspective style focused on personal pop ballads.[8] In 1975, Jacks released her second solo album, Dream, on Casino Records, which featured softer, emotive tracks emphasizing her vocal range in ballad form.[19] Key singles from the album, including "Anna Marie" and "All the Tea in China," highlighted her shift toward heartfelt, narrative-driven pop, with "Anna Marie" earning particular acclaim for its melodic introspection.[18] For these releases, Jacks received a Juno Award nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year in 1975, recognizing her standout performances in the Canadian music scene.[5] Throughout the mid-1970s, Jacks actively toured Canada, assembling a backing band called Cheese to support her live shows and promote her solo material.[22] She also made notable television appearances, including guest spots on Canadian programs such as The Allan Thicke Show, where she performed her new singles and connected with audiences through intimate renditions of her ballads.[19] These efforts solidified her presence as a prominent solo artist in Canada during this period, with recordings that blended pop accessibility and emotional depth.Nashville period
In 1983, Susan Jacks relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, with her second husband, Ted Dushinski, following her signing with the Nashville-based Compleat Records label, marking a pivotal shift toward country music in her career.[8][19] This move built on the momentum from her earlier solo releases in Canada, allowing her to establish a presence in the U.S. country scene as both a performer and songwriter.[7] Jacks released several country-oriented singles through Compleat, including the 1984 track "Another Woman's Man," which earned her a Juno Award nomination for Country Female Vocalist of the Year.[7][19] That same year, her single "Tall Dark Stranger" gained regional acclaim, leading to her recognition as Best New Country Artist in Oklahoma by local music fans and industry voters.[19][3] These recordings highlighted her transition to a more twang-infused style, blending heartfelt lyrics with country-rock elements suited to the Nashville market.[8] As a staff songwriter for a Nashville publishing company, Jacks contributed compositions to other artists, with notable cuts including a children's lullaby on the Grammy-nominated album A Child's Gift of Lullabies.[19] She also served as a demo singer and producer, while later managing her own music publishing business, which involved pitching songs and overseeing creative development in the competitive Nashville ecosystem.[8] This multifaceted role required balancing live performances in local venues with behind-the-scenes writing and administrative duties, sustaining her industry involvement through the late 1980s and into the early 2000s.[5]Later career
After returning to Vancouver in 2004 following her time in Nashville, Susan Jacks resumed her performing career with a focus on live shows across British Columbia and Alberta.[23] She incorporated elements of her Nashville songwriting experience into her repertoire, blending pop and country influences in her sets.[19] Notable appearances included concerts at Blue Frog Studios in White Rock, British Columbia, where she performed classics like "Anna Marie" and "I Thought of You Again" in 2012 and again in 2014. These engagements, often featuring reformed lineups of The Poppy Family, highlighted her enduring appeal at local venues and festivals in the region.[7] In 2015, Jacks re-released her 1975 album Dream on CD after regaining the rights through a lawsuit and having it remastered, making it commercially available for the first time in decades and marking a significant milestone in her career.[24] The album drew from her pop roots with country-tinged tracks, emphasizing personal storytelling in her music.[19] Jacks also maintained visibility through media work, including a guest appearance and song contribution in the 2006 Lifetime TV movie Last Chance Cafe, where she co-wrote and performed the track "Looking for Love."[25] She made occasional guest spots on Canadian television programs, leveraging her veteran status to connect with audiences via interviews and performances.[19] These activities, alongside sporadic collaborations with fellow Canadian artists, underscored her role as a respected figure in the industry until health constraints curtailed her schedule in the 2010s.[7]Personal life
Marriages and relationships
Susan Jacks married singer-songwriter Terry Jacks in 1967, following their meeting in 1966 on the Vancouver television show Let's Go.[26][8] Their partnership extended into music, as they co-founded and led The Poppy Family, collaborating closely on recordings and performances throughout their marriage.[4] The couple had no children together, and their marriage ended in divorce in 1973, coinciding with the band's dissolution amid professional tensions.[4] In 1980, Jacks married Ted Dushinski, a former defensive back for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League.[27] The couple welcomed a son, Thad, and relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1983, where Dushinski's support facilitated Jacks' transition into music publishing and songwriting.[9] They shared a stable family life until Dushinski's death from lung cancer in 2005 at age 61.[28] Following Dushinski's passing, Jacks settled in Vancouver, British Columbia, with her son Thad, maintaining strong bonds with her siblings, including brothers Rick, Gerry, Wayne, Bill, and Jim, as well as sister Cathy.[2] These familial relationships provided ongoing personal support in her later years.[1]Health challenges
Upon returning to Canada in 2004 following her second husband Ted Dushinski's lung cancer diagnosis, Jacks underwent health checks that led to her diagnosis of kidney failure in 2005.[2] She spent the subsequent years managing the condition through dialysis while continuing her musical career on a reduced scale.[29] In February 2010, Jacks received a kidney transplant from her brother, Bill Pesklevits, who had inspired her 1969 hit "Which Way You Goin' Billy?" The procedure initially proved successful, allowing her to regain strength and resume select performances, though she required ongoing medical monitoring.[30][1] By 2016, complications arose when the transplanted kidney began to fail, exacerbated by infections including pneumonia and sepsis, leading to her hospitalization and placement in an induced coma on life support.[31][9] After a three-month recovery period in the hospital, Jacks emerged resilient but returned to dialysis, which significantly limited her daily activities and prompted further scaling back of live appearances.[4] Despite these challenges, she maintained public engagements when possible, demonstrating determination in the face of prolonged health struggles.[29]Death
Final years
In the years following her return to British Columbia, Susan Jacks continued to manage chronic kidney disease, culminating in a successful transplant from her brother Bill in 2010. In 2016, she was hospitalized and placed in an induced coma due to severe kidney complications but recovered after several weeks.[9] By early 2022, her condition had worsened significantly, leading to hospitalization at Surrey Memorial Hospital in April while she awaited a second kidney transplant.[1][2] Jacks' health declined rapidly due to complications from kidney failure, including overwhelming infections stemming from her prior transplant, which ultimately caused her heart to stop.[1] In the lead-up to her passing, she had expressed intentions to record a new album, though her deteriorating condition prevented these plans from materializing; she had also remained active in advocacy, having performed benefit concerts for the Kidney Foundation in recent years.[1][9] Her death was announced on April 25, 2022, by her brother Rick Pesklevits on behalf of the family, confirming she had passed away at the age of 73 in the Surrey hospital.[2][1]Funeral and tributes
Following Susan Jacks' death on April 25, 2022, at Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey, British Columbia, from complications related to kidney disease, her family announced that a celebration of life would be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations were requested to the Kidney Foundation of Canada in honor of her advocacy for organ donation.[1][9][32] Public tributes poured in from Canadian musicians, fans, and media outlets, emphasizing Jacks' distinctive voice, enduring hits like "Which Way You Goin' Billy?", and her resilience.[32] CBC News highlighted her as a trailblazing figure in Canadian pop, with her brother Rick Pesklevits sharing memories of her singing from age four and her selfless advocacy for kidney health.[1] The Vancouver Sun covered her passing as that of a local icon, noting her battles with kidney disease, including a 2010 transplant from her brother Billy Pesklevits, whom she credited for giving her "a second chance at life."[9] The New York Times published an obituary praising her vocal warmth and the Poppy Family's chart success, positioning her as a key voice in 1960s folk-rock.[2] Her ex-husband and former Poppy Family collaborator Terry Jacks issued a heartfelt statement on social media, describing her as having "a kind heart" and singing his songs "beautifully," adding that she would "live on Beyond The Clouds."[33] Rick Pesklevits echoed this sentiment in a family statement, calling her an "amazing sister" and "loving mother" whose humility and strength inspired those around her, particularly after Billy's life-saving donation.[32] Musicians like Burton Cummings remembered her as "charming and down to earth" with "the voice of an angel," while bandmate Craig McCaw lauded her kindness and lack of pretension.[34][1] Fans worldwide shared stories of her music's emotional impact, with many replaying her tracks in remembrance.[34]Legacy
Awards and recognitions
Susan Jacks, as the lead vocalist of The Poppy Family, received significant early recognition for the group's 1969 hit "Which Way You Goin' Billy?", which earned two Gold Leaf Awards in 1970—the precursors to the Juno Awards—for Best Produced Single and Best Produced Middle-of-the-Road Album. Throughout her solo career, Jacks garnered multiple Juno Award nominations, highlighting her versatility across pop and country genres. She was nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year in 1975 for her work on the album Dream, and again in 1981.[34] In 1976, she received a nomination for Country Female Vocalist of the Year, reflecting her transition into country music during her Nashville period.[34] Additionally, the single "Another Woman's Man" from her 1980 album Ghosts contributed to her Juno nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year in 1981.[34] She also received a Grammy nomination for Best Children's Album for her work on the 1993 release A Child's Gift of Lullabies.[8] In 2010, Jacks was inducted into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame, honoring her contributions as a key figure in Canadian music history.[3] During her time in Nashville, Jacks achieved regional recognition in the US country scene, winning the Best New Female Country Artist award in Oklahoma for her 1984 single "Tall Dark Stranger."[26] SOCAN paid tribute to her enduring legacy following her passing in 2022, acknowledging her role in creating timeless Canadian classics.[34]Cultural impact
Susan Jacks played a pivotal role in elevating Canadian pop and psychedelic music during the late 1960s as the lead vocalist of The Poppy Family, blending folk-rock elements with psychedelic influences to achieve international success.[8] Her band's breakthrough single, "Which Way You Goin' Billy?" (1969), reached No. 1 in Canada and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of the era's defining tracks and a counterculture anthem that captured themes of youthful uncertainty amid the Vietnam War draft.[8] This hit, which sold nearly 4 million copies worldwide, marked the first million-selling record by a Vancouver-based act, helping to establish Canadian artists on global stages previously dominated by American and British acts.[5] Jacks' versatile voice and songwriting resilience inspired generations of female artists in pop and country genres, demonstrating how women could navigate industry barriers through adaptability and perseverance.[8] Transitioning from psychedelic pop to country-infused tracks like "Tall Dark Stranger" (1984), she broke conventions by exploring rock, adult contemporary, and country styles, earning recognition as a trailblazer for Canadian women in music—only the second after Lucille Starr to achieve a U.S. gold record.[8] Artists such as Canadian country singer Lynne Taylor Donovan have cited Jacks as an early influence, crediting her emotive delivery in hits like "Which Way You Goin' Billy?" for shaping their own paths in the industry.[35] Her contributions extended deeply into Vancouver's music scene, where she emerged as one of the city's first major stars of the 1960s, performing on CBC programs like Music Hop from age 14 and later at events such as Expo 86 and the 2014 Khatsahlano Street Festival.[9] By achieving U.S. and U.K. chart success, Jacks represented Western Canadian talent internationally, fostering pride in the region's burgeoning music community and influencing local acts through her blend of psychedelia and pop.[8][5] Following her death on April 25, 2022, Jacks received widespread posthumous appreciation in Canadian media, with tributes highlighting her enduring legacy of perseverance amid health challenges.[34] Peers like Burton Cummings and former bandmate Craig McCaw praised her sincerity and universal appeal, while compilations such as A Good Thing Lost: 1968-1973 underscored her lasting influence on the nation's pop sound.[34][5]Discography
Albums
Susan Jacks' recording career began with her work alongside The Poppy Family, where she served as lead vocalist on their two studio albums released by London Records. The debut album, Which Way You Goin' Billy? (1969), featured a blend of psychedelic pop and folk elements, highlighted by the title track—a poignant ballad about separation inspired by the Vietnam War era—and tracks like "Free from the City" and "Beyond the Clouds," which incorporated sitar and orchestral arrangements. The album peaked at number 22 on the Canadian charts and number 76 on the Billboard 200 in the United States, earning praise for its eclectic hooks and Susan Jacks' emotive vocals that conveyed melancholy sensuality.[36][37] The Poppy Family's follow-up, Poppy Seeds (1971), shifted toward a more country-inflected soft rock sound while retaining psychedelic touches, with standout tracks including "Where Evil Grows"—a brooding hit single—and "No Good to Cry," which showcased Jacks' versatile range from tender ballads to fuller ensemble performances. Produced by Terry Jacks, the album received acclaim for its lush production and narrative depth, though it did not chart as highly as its predecessor.[38][39][4] Following the band's dissolution in 1972, Jacks launched her solo career with I Thought of You Again (1973) on Goldfish Records, produced by her then-husband Terry Jacks. The title track, a haunting reflection on lost love, became a Canadian hit and earned a Juno Award nomination, while other highlights like "Ocean" demonstrated her transition to introspective folk-pop. The album marked her emergence as a standalone artist, blending personal songwriting with orchestral backing.[23][7][40] Jacks' second solo effort, Dream (1975) on Casino Records, explored alternative folk-pop with epic ballads and fresh melodies, featuring tracks such as "Love Has No Pride" and "I'd Rather Know You." It garnered rave reviews for its sophisticated instrumentation and Jacks' confident shift from light pop to more mature arrangements. The album was reissued in 2015, bringing renewed attention to its enduring appeal.[41][42][43] In the early 1980s, after a brief stint in Nashville where she released country singles like "Tall Dark Stranger" on the Compleat label, Jacks returned to Canada for Ghosts (1980) on Columbia Records. This singer-songwriter album evoked a bittersweet atmosphere with warm, subtle vocals on tracks like "All the Tea in China"—which received a Juno nomination—and the pensive "We Had It All," linking back to her Poppy Family roots through inspirational lyrics. Critics noted its clear ties to Terry Jacks' style while highlighting her emotional depth.[23][44][45] Her final studio album, Forever (1982) on Columbia, continued in a pop vein with covers and originals such as "Baby I'm Yours" and "Out of My Mind," emphasizing romantic themes and smooth production. Though less reviewed at the time, it reflected Jacks' ongoing evolution toward adult contemporary sounds. Post-2000 compilations, including the 2022 Collection on Classics France—which gathered tracks from her solo LPs—and reissues like the expanded Dream, have preserved her catalog without significant new material, underscoring her lasting influence in Canadian pop.[46][47]Singles
Susan Jacks' singles career began with the Poppy Family, where her lead vocals defined their psychedelic pop sound, blending orchestral elements with introspective lyrics. The group's breakthrough single, "Which Way You Goin' Billy?" (1969), topped the RPM Top Singles chart in Canada at #1 and reached #2 on the US Billboard Hot 100, earning a Gold certification from the RIAA for over one million units sold in the US and total worldwide sales exceeding 3.5 million copies. This track, with its haunting melody and anti-war undertones, marked Jacks as the second Canadian woman to achieve US Gold status, following Lucille Starr. Follow-up "That's Where I Went Wrong" (1970) peaked at #9 on the RPM Top Singles chart in Canada and #29 on the Billboard Hot 100, showcasing a more upbeat pop style while maintaining the group's signature lush production; its B-side, "Shadows on My Wall," added a folk-infused contrast but saw limited standalone airplay. Transitioning to a solo career, Jacks explored folk pop and later country influences, often drawing from personal experiences in her songwriting. Her debut solo single, "I Thought of You Again" (1973), co-written with ex-husband Terry Jacks, garnered significant radio play across Canada and earned a Juno Award nomination for Best Female Vocalist, highlighting her shift to softer, reflective ballads. "Anna Marie" (1975) marked her entry into country territory, charting on RPM Country Tracks (#13 peak) and #8 on Vancouver's CKLG chart; it received another Juno nomination and exemplified her versatile vocal delivery in storytelling narratives. Jacks' Nashville period in the mid-1980s produced "Tall Dark Stranger" (1984), which won her Best New Female Country Artist honors in Oklahoma and led to a Juno nomination, emphasizing twangy guitar-driven country pop. Later singles reflected Jacks' evolving style amid health challenges and industry roles. "Another Woman's Man" (1976) became a notable country hit on RPM charts, securing yet another Juno nomination and underscoring themes of relational turmoil in a rootsy arrangement. Additional singles like "All the Tea in China" (1980) from Ghosts received airplay on Canadian adult contemporary stations and earned a Juno nomination.| Single | Year | Peak Positions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Which Way You Goin' Billy?" (Poppy Family) | 1969 | RPM Canada #1; Billboard Hot 100 #2 | Gold (US, 1M+ sales); worldwide 3.5M+ sales; B-side "Endless Sleep" |
| "That's Where I Went Wrong" (Poppy Family) | 1970 | RPM Canada #9; Billboard Hot 100 #29 | Upbeat pop follow-up; B-side "Shadows on My Wall" |
| "I Thought of You Again" | 1973 | Significant Canadian radio play | Juno nomination; folk pop ballad |
| "Anna Marie" | 1975 | RPM Country #13; CKLG Vancouver #8 | Juno nomination; country crossover |
| "Another Woman's Man" | 1976 | RPM Country charts | Juno nomination; country hit |
| "All the Tea in China" | 1980 | Canadian adult contemporary airplay | Juno nomination |
| "Tall Dark Stranger" | 1984 | Canadian country airplay | Juno nomination; Best New Country Artist (Oklahoma) |