Remembering Susan Jacks

I first met Susan Jacks on the set of Let’s Go, Vancouver’s weekly contribution to the CBC TV series Music Hop. The show allowed Canadian talent to get exposure from coast-to-coast on television. Susan was a wonderfully talented, stunningly beautiful lady with a voice like silk. Susan and husband Terry created some of Canada’s most memorable hit records as the Poppy Family. Their hit song “Which Way You Goin’, Billy?” was Vancouver's first million-seller! My friend John Mackie said "She was a natural singer, with a cool, clear voice that fell somewhere between Karen Carpenter and Tammy Wynette." Susan was inducted into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2010. I loved playing Susan's music on the radio, and my listeners loved our very own homegrown talent. She was a frequent guest and we've managed to preserve those interviews. Here, in 2006, she talks about growing up in Haney, BC and auditioning for Let's Go. Susan faced many personal traumas and health issues in later years, but her inner strength always kept her moving forward. She was one of the most positive, warm and friendly people I ever met. I will always remember Susan's voice, her stage presence and her love of music. In our interview she mentions a couple of her influences, Dusty Springfield and Jackie deShannon. And I know that somewhere out there, a little girl is listening to Susan's music and being inspired by that beautiful voice. Susan, you'll be missed by all of us who knew and loved you. I'd like to say goodbye by remembering the lyrics of one of your best songs: "I Thought Of You Again": "The train moved on... and with my nose against the glass... I hummed a song. It made me smile... and for a while... I just forgot that you were gone."