Michael James Jackson, who produced several KISS albums in the past decades, died, the band confirmed.
KISS's official Instagram page delivered the tragic news on Thursday, saying that its beloved producer and associate died. It also shared the same update on its Facebook account.
According to the band, Michael James Jackson's cause of death was due to COVID-related pneumonia.
"He was the driving force behind Killers, Creatures Of The Night, Lick It Up and Animalize. His passion and belief in the band was instrumental in our new found success in the 80's. He loved our fans and was a close member of the KISS family until the end. We mourn his loss and celebrate his life," the band continued.
The Johns Hopkins University notes that COVID-19 can cause lung damage among patients who contracted the dreaded virus. It reportedly has short and long term effects, but the disease can also be more fatal because of respiratory illness.
Jackson's family has not released an official statement yet. Details about his funeral also remain unknown.
Michael James Jackson's Life Celebrated and Remembered
Following the emergence of the news about the producer's passing, people including KISS members and colleagues paid tribute to Jackson.
KISS' frontman Paul Stanley shared a photo of him and Jackson alongside a heartfelt personal message.
"Michael James Jackson-My dearest and best friend for 40 years has died. His kindness and steadfast commitment to me and our friendship was a rock that supported me through the toughest times. He pushed me to start painting and reveled unselfishly in all my successes. Heartbroken," he wrote.
Very sad to hear of the passing of producer Michael James Jackson.
— Where's Drago? (@wheresdrago) July 14, 2022
Michael produced the GREATEST KISS ALBUM EVER in Lick It Up - which was my entry point into the band. Add to that the 4 KISS Killers tracks and Creatures of the Night, that's a heck of a legacy.
RIP MJJ 💔 pic.twitter.com/HFTB0pyyLP
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Jackson started his work with KISS through the band's 1982 compilation album, "Killers," in which he produced four of its songs. They quickly released "Creatures of the Night" following the success of the previous project, and but it underperformed on the charts.
In the 2001 biography "Kiss: Behind the Mask," he reflected on working with KISS and called the time he spent with them a great period of time.
"There was a tremendous effort, from all of us, to rebuild something, a determination to regain a real sense of who the band was, to restate what Kiss was about and get that on tape," the late producer said.
Jackson also worked on KISS' platinum-selling "Lick It Up," "Animalize," and "Kiss 40 Years: Decades of Decibels," among others. He also worked on LA Gun's "Hollywood Vampires" album in 1991.
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