A Forgotten Buffalo Legend: The Jackson C. Frank Story

Jackson C. Frank was born in Buffalo on March 2, 1943, but his fate was sealed the morning of March 31, 1954, he was only 11-years-old. A furnace explosion ignited a wall of fire that consumed the old wooden annex at Cleveland Hill School in Cheektowaga, nearly wiping out a 6th grade music class in session at the time. 15 of his classmates died, Jackson suffered severe burns covering more than 50% of his body.

[@jimincairns]

I was proud to count Jackson as my friend when we worked the same folk club circuit in '65. I still play his songs.

[@andytim]

jimincairns Hi Jim, thanks for sharing. Were you also around Paul Simon at the time? I've always wondered if Jackson C Franke had a significant influence on Paul Simon, or if they were just friends who played similar folk music from the start. I've heard JCF was more a figurehead in the folk community in 1965 than Paul Simon.

[@jimincairns]

Paul produced his 'Blues run the game' album at the same time he was recording his solo 'Songbook' album. Al Stewart and Paul both had input on the album. Paul and Jackson seemed to know each other quite well; maybe it was because they were both strangers in a strange land.

[@nils_on_wheels]

This is so great! I love his music!!! Keep playing his songs!!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@janiceward2169]

Jimincairns and Andytim, great to read your exchanges here on such an amazing artist..T.Y.

[@gtoonizuka3946]

keep the legacy living ❤

[@kpdelaney6460]

Everyone’s talking about ”Blues Run the Game”, and it is great, but “I want to be alone” is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard

[@alexandermuller8007]

I totally agree with you, this song is also my favorite in Jackson C Frank's work!

[@justme-wh5li]

Agree.

[@ThomasMayer123-f8f]

Milk and Honey is his best, also Marlene, and my name is carnival

[@kpdelaney6460]

@@ThomasMayer123-f8f yes Marlene is such a gem

[@datboibaz147]

Seriously

[@itdies2dayyo]

if there were ever a movie about him, Phillip Seymour Hoffman would have been the guy to portray him.

[@josephknowles2688]

100% agree

[@sacredclown4179]

Perfect choice, quit what you are doing, become a producer:)

[@kimyoung2447]

That was another sad story. He was one of my favorite actors. He would have been a perfect for the part.

[@crazycatman5928]

I’m 47 and just finding Jackson now. That’s the beauty and sadness of finding new music.

[@pinkfreud62]

More people are hearing about him nowadays because of his song that made a few seconds appearance in the movie "Joker".

[@chrisvela4860]

Exactly as to why I'm here.

[@theheartofablackbird2109]

That's crazy...haven't seen it yet. Which song?

[@Maria-yy4dc]

@@theheartofablackbird2109 My name is carnival

[@theheartofablackbird2109]

@@Maria-yy4dc That makes sense. :) Thanks.

[@7slaper]

And again - the whole song this time - in 2018 in the movie "The old man & the gun" with Robert Redford. I personally recognized the song in that film, because I knew it from Simon & Garfunkel.

[@leroybrown1994]

I wish we could've seen Phillip Seymour Hoffman playing this biopic. Timeless musician. Timeless actor.

[@michaelpersan9698]

that would be great. good idea man!

[@jemma5608]

Great idea dude

[@popnrock2]

it's good he's finally getting the recognition he deserves. especially liked the pics i haven't seen before.

[@SkyLukewater]

Yeh but what's the point if he will never know? I feel sorry for the guy.

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

I have to believe, nevertheless, that there is a point. I first heard “The Blues Run the Game” on a library Simon and Garfunkel compilation album. This was an outtake from their second album, and was struck by how much better it was than any of the cuts that actually the album. Until today all I had heard about the author of the song is tha he was someone Simon knew from England. I didn’t even realize that Jackson was American. Really, I can’t put my finger on why I find this song so affecting.

[@mediastarguest]

I got nothing to do with Buffalo, the U.S. or country music but this Jackson C. Frank was mega-talented and a supreme singer-song writer. A rare talent.

[@inkoinfinity2]

It's folk!

[@nuiaslou18]

@@inkoinfinity2 it doesn't matter he's a legend

[@inkoinfinity2]

@@nuiaslou18 alot of people confuse the two

[@jaydeatts]

@@nuiaslou18 it does matter, he wasn't a country artist

[@bloxa]

(From Norway). Was introduced to his record when I was 20. Most music you listen to is slowly losing its effect on you as you and the world around you change. Not Jackson C Frank, though. Now at 32, his music seems more potent and touching than ever. Hearing about his life story, it all makes sense. His lyrics, melodies, the beauty of his sadness. According to the old greeks, poetry, beauty and art are born with loss. There would be no beautiful songs in a utopia, and that makes our world a bit better.

[@MarsLonsen]

Visdom

[@nick_wells6105]

Wow, “the beauty in his sadness” I never understood how to express that but that’s exactly what it is, there is beauty in sadness

[@chaystafari3228]

His music is timeless. I’m 29 years old and just heard his song “blues run the game “ it gives me such an original vibe ! It hits my feels . Aloha

[@josetti]

I go to the school where the Cleveland Hill Fire happened, it still haunts all of us to this day, Rest In Peace.

[@suzannelawson9215]

Are there tributes /news articles somewhere in the school library or pictures on the halls of the school about this tragedy? Do teachers discuss with the students about what happened at this school, the fire, loss of life and about Jackson C. Frank?

[@suzannelawson9215]

To K.N. Thank you for responding to my questions. Also curious, after this tragedy happened, did the students who survived, but injured with varying degrees return to this school? Were there other students (who survived) with injuries as severe as Jackson C. Franke? I wonder too if any of these other students were interviewed later in their life about this awful tragedy?

[@marycrow3939]

In my opinion, a great poet.

[@pgbear]

Thanks for making this. Just discovered Jackson C Frank for the first time today, via a BBC radio documentary. What an amazingly talented man, he was. I wish he'd had a happier life, but at least he's finally starting to get some well deserved attention. I wish he was still here to see it.

[@retro1937]

I just discovered Jackson C Frank today, February 13, 2023

[@Pariahmary]

There is a film about Jackson C Frank in the works

[@silverstuff182]

Glad to hear it.

[@jackorion7157]

No there isn't

[@Pariahmary]

@@jackorion7157 bro there's a kickstarter page for it that still exists. Please check that out. BLUES RUN THE GAME: A MOVIE ABOUT JACKSON C. FRANK

[@johnmoonitz2968]

The song "Blues Run the Game" just randomly played on a Google Random Play I had on while driving about half a year ago, and I was immediately drawn to it. I must have listened to it 50 or more times in a row while driving that day, and many times more since. What a brilliant, powerful song! I sent the clip to a friend of mine who is a professional musician, and he said that it just nailed what it is like to be a struggling musician on the road. Such a sad story behind this man and his music, but I am most grateful to have stumbled upon this song, this piece of his soul, and I am sharing it with my friends. Thank you for your soulful contribution to humanity, Jackson, you did well.

[@edmundcoyle364]

I came across the song via Robert Pecknold's singing of it. I thought it was Pecknold's composition; I thought it was brilliant and off I went looking, and like you I must have played Pecknold's version about 50 times. Then i went finding the song's origins.

[@davidtufte6049]

I have loved "Blues Run the Game" since I first heard John Renbourn do it around 1982. I'm from Buffalo, and lived there until 1989. It's 2020, and I'm just learning that a BFLO native wrote the song.

[@OGTheNothingMan]

One of the best song I've ever heard. Will be in my top 20 list of ever.

[@kodoku444]

which one

[@gamerasf8053]

@John Podmolik Probably Blues Run The Game

[@iizbeazt1574]

I love ‘Marlene’ but I never knew the story behind it, had to struggle not to start crying watching this

[@kpdelaney6460]

Same it’s so tragic 😢

[@logansette4427]

I read Abbott's book on JCF. An amazing story of a tragic figure. Highly recommend it if you're into the folk scene.

[@adammartin8391]

"He was a talented and kind man... he was damn good!"

[@dacarly1330]

His music is beautiful❤️

[@WolffBachner]

Jackson Frank is a treasure.

[@pentangle4444]

his music was performed by my favorites, Sandy Denny, Nick Drake, Bert Jansch, John Renbourn... I tresure the letter I received from Jackson C Frank detailing many of the life events covered above this this video.. in that sam Cleveland Hills fire, Blaine Poss was also killed after going back into the fire to save a girl in the same class as Jackson..

[@jimbob12404yahoo]

WOuld it be possible to see a scan of the letter? if so jimbob12404 at the y'hoo is my email.

[@truthfreezeJIL]

See today,this is where recording archiving by citizens comes in, whether music,news,info and he sure has a good story/song sound.He sure was dealt a tragic young life trauma of major impact.How many unsung heroes have we? great that some folks pursued this.

[@macman5467]

Wish someone would kindly fund the shelved documentary about JCF , which would doubtless open up his rare talents to a whole new singer songwriter generation, seems even after his painfully unfortunate life ended bad luck still haunts his memory .

[@josefinagarza241]

He influenced many, Bert Jansch version led me here,great talent, he went through so much,goodness

[@saturdaynightwrist3602]

His music lights my soul mannnn

[@gamerasf8053]

He was a genius! Respect!

[@janetwilhelm4435]

I believe he held a spirit that we could never understand.....

[@metsrus]

anyone whoever has been through pain, depression, and loneliness can understand him

[@peterherwig469]

Zojuist voor het eerst van deze man gehoord, mooie stem en prachtige muziek

[@brianbauer7560]

My name is carnival is an amazing song

[@jackraiser4391]

Found out about him thanks to "The Brown Bunny". Thank you again Vincent

[@kimyoung2447]

What a sad story. I just heard his song, Blues Run the Game on, Tin Star. I never heard of him, but fell in love. My brother committed suicide in 1997 and he was also an acoustic folk singer/songwriter. He was also homeless for a time. Such tragedies.

[@sacredclown4179]

Indeed great words are born in the umbra depths of the soul.

[@LeLehsmami]

I go to Cleveland hill and I live in Buffalo NY😕

[@tinodaishemahachi6574]

If feel the series This is us played a big role in getting this guy’s music heard more in 21st century.

[@adamkenton2585]

What a life ! I’m sorry that all the bad things happened to you my friends ! You’re in my heart

[@matienazemy1382]

I heard about him after watching Martha Marcy May Marlene and I really like Marcy’s song. Definitely gonna check out more of his music.

[@WhereTheyLay]

Jackson's music is just beyond. I went to break the adverts so bad, they'll realise.

[@gonzoexpress9885]

Prima Donna of Swans - an amazing song by Jackson Frank.

[@TH-nf1eo]

For one of the most melancholy songs recorded, listen to Sandy Denny's "Next Time Around," her song about her thinking of Jackson Frank, who had been her boyfriend for a while when he was in England. Some prefer this demo version without the strings found on the album version. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3KlqamwfdibmZY

[@michaelknowles4005]

POWERFUL AND SAD BUT YOU CAN WILL THE Feel the spirit like it’s a party you

[@zakkdavis1704]

This is awesome..thanks

[@thiscorrosion900]

I haven't read the book yet, though I plan to. I did buy the CD box set a few years back, which is a total must-own. It's as least as great as the big Big Star box set from about 13 years ago or so.

[@minakhan5206]

"This is us" Blues run the game ❤️

[@WillardSongwriter]

RIP jackson.

[@pantano13]

Im in 5th grade and in Cleveland Hill

[@grey_skies3]

Sometimes God chooses someone to really live and endure a life where "blues run the game.."

[@StONed-mb1iv]

Good... ....God, whatta.... .....journey!

[@njuham]

His fate wasn't sealed, he made it what it was. Many people suffer and experince tragedies and those events don't define their later lives.

[@aaronclick6388]

With all due respect, your comment is quite insensitive. His ENTIRE life was riddled with tragic events, it wasn’t just one tiny chapter of his life or just his childhood, for example. And much of it was beyond his control, not a matter of making his fate “what it was.”

[@Lundy.Fastnet.Irish_Sea]

PTSD exists, and it's a real mental illness.

[@rbvp45]

I wonder if you'd say the same had you experienced 70% burn damage on your body at the age of 11. Your girlfriend dead, and you'll have chronic pains and scar tissue for basically the rest of your life.

[@georgewodicka4839]

Please, check out a sterling cover of Blues Run The Game by Josh Turner, a remarkable young musician, done in October of 2018, done on his channel Josh Turner Guitar. You will be blown away, and appreciate Jackson C. Frank that much more.

[@arun-fy2sy]

how has a film not been made

[@barbarastewart6005]

My brother Richard! 😄 Looks like a mob guy. I still remember Jack from all those years ago.

[@risboturbide9396]

I once had a lover who introduced me to Frank's work. I wish I treated her better. I've been a very unkind man to that girl. 🍻

[@perrylee3051]

I had no idea he had died. I knew him from the days at the Limelight. Damn he was good.

[@mickford9332]

Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But what talent.

[@Delysicx]

RIP Legend

[@southerncomfortuk]

So sad

[@mariapantuosco2267]

His album is my unicorn record. Near impossible to get a first press

[@Benjamin-ib4to]

So sad 😞

[@simplethings474]

Damn

[@TheBiggus610]

ive heard people suggest that paul simon kinda screwed him. how is that so? all i know about their relationship was that paul helped produce that album. regardless, such a talented songwriter with a heartbreaking story. i hope hes somewhere above us seeing the glimmer of recognition he deserved in his own lifetime

[@xreediculousx]

P.S.H. would have played a great Jackson.

[@christinedidur364]

my first listening to this artist today, I was moved. ty , Michael, for the heads up. (pm me on fb for further discussion, pls7ty.)

[@michaelpersan9698]

nice

[@lego4527]

But aren’t there like 3 albums?

[@gradprutsers7467]

On Spotify there are multiple albums and also unreleased songs

[@aaronclick6388]

He only had one true studio album. But there are a lot of compilation albums, outtakes, etc.

[@l.salisbury1253]

Same birthday as Lou Reed...!

[@jessef88]

I understand this pain. Fuck

[@babyinvasion]

Me too 🤍🖤👽

[@TechnicJunglist]

Paul Simon screwed him big time

[@AliSubhi-xs4rn]

I'd say he was almost jinxed(like he shouldn't have survived that fire) but even then if Paul Simon wasn't an asshole,I believe we could've had more of Jackson's uncanny brilliance.

[@TechnicJunglist]

@@AliSubhi-xs4rn i feel like the now deceased, Phillip Seymor Hoffman, or Michael Shannon could play him in a biopic. He had such a tragic life. What a brilliant & talented man. Im a huge Daniel Johnston fan as well. They both deserved better

[@AliSubhi-xs4rn]

​@@TechnicJunglist Agreed,particularly Shannon. I always thought of Daniel Johnston's music as a mixture between TVZ and a young Dylan's work. Shame he never got the recognize nor the career he deserved, that seems like a regular tendency among most folk singers of that time sadly.

[@TechnicJunglist]

@@AliSubhi-xs4rn Daniel still makes appearances but he's a shell of his former self bc he's heavily medicated & has head med induced Parkinson's. Its sad but at least us fans still support his fine efforts

[@gradprutsers7467]

What happened?

[@pantano13]

Really of that bad fire it made him do music and if the fire didn't happen he would not do a music really 15 kids were killed

[@justme-yr2xf]

#awishamuse #shhhhhhhhh