Quick Facts
Biography
Jeanette Jacobs (1952 — January 1, 1982) was an American singer, best remembered as a member of the 60's girl group The Cake and the supergroup Ginger Baker's Air Force.
Early life
Jacobs was born circa 1952 in Queens, New York, where she was raised. She is of Greek and African-American ancestry. Her father, Buster, was a retired serviceman.
Career
The Cake
In the late 1960s, Jacobs and Barbara Morillo were friends living in Astoria, Queens, New York. Once they saw Eleanor Barooshian perform (sing) at a club in New York City and approached her to form a band. The three then formed The Cake, in 1966. The band was managed and produced by Charles Greene and Brian Stone, two Sunset Strip impresarios who also managed Sonny & Cher, Buffalo Springfield, and Iron Butterfly.
The Cake disbanded in 1968.
Ginger Baker's Air Force
After The Cake broke up, Jacobs and Barooshian toured with singer/songwriter Dr. John, who was one of the session musicians on their albums. In 1969, the two relocated to the UK, where they became part of Ginger Baker's Air Force—a jazz-rock fusion supergroup formed after the disbandment of Blind Faith.
Jacobs was one of the vocalists for Air Force and other members were: Ginger Baker on drums, Steve Winwood on organ and vocals, Ric Grech on violin and bass, Denny Laine on guitar and vocals, Phil Seamen on drums, Alan White on drums, Chris Wood (Traffic fame) on tenor sax and flute, Graham Bond on alto sax, Harold McNair on tenor sax and flute, and Remi Kabaka on percussion.
Personal life
Jacobs was once romantically linked to guitarist Jimi Hendrix.
In November 1972, she married Air Force-bandmate, saxophonist Chris Wood at Kensington Registry Office, London, England. The two had met when Wood was touring with Dr. John.
Woods and Jacobs separated in 1977.
Death
Jeanette Jacobs died on January 1, 1982, aged 32.