Michael Lee Curran aka Jakko Jakszyk
b: 8th June 1958
b: 8th June 1958
Jakko Jakszyk was born at Whittington Hospital in Archway, London, the son of Irish singer Peggy Curran and an unknown American airman. At 18 months of age, he was adopted by two European refugees who had settled in England after World War II: Polish Norbert Jakszyk and his French wife, Camille. Jakszyk grew up in Croxley Green,
Jakko Jakszyk
Jakko Jakszyk, the guitarist and vocalist for the band King Crimson, grew up in Croxley Green. His first musical experiences were at his home there, where he listened to an eclectic mix of music including classical, Ukrainian folk music, and French singers like Édith Piaf and Georges Brassens. His adopted father, a Polish immigrant, was also an amateur guitarist.
Jakszyk has described his childhood in Croxley Green as unhappy due to the unsettled nature of his adoptive parents' differing nationalities. He eventually tracked down his birth mother, an Irish singer, who had settled in Arkansas. He lived on Durrants Drive a few doors down from Fred Housego.
As a teenager, Jakko initially aimed to become a professional footballer and tried out for the Watford Boys football squad but a pivotal moment for Jakszyk's musical aspirations occurred when, at 13 years old, he saw King Crimson play at Watford Town Hall. This experience inspired him to pursue a career in music. He later joined the National Youth Theatre and worked as a part-time musician and actor.
Jakko's favourite band name at the time was Twenty-Five Views of Worthing and he must have frequented The Sportsman pub where the Worthings frequently played and practised in the mid '70s.
Jakszyk's memoir, "Who's The Boy With The Lovely Hair?", delves into his complex family history, including his adoption and search for his birth mother. He explores the challenges and impact of his unique background on his life and music. The memoir was released in 2024 and is accompanied by an album, "Son Of Glen"
Jakszyk has described his childhood in Croxley Green as unhappy due to the unsettled nature of his adoptive parents' differing nationalities. He eventually tracked down his birth mother, an Irish singer, who had settled in Arkansas. He lived on Durrants Drive a few doors down from Fred Housego.
As a teenager, Jakko initially aimed to become a professional footballer and tried out for the Watford Boys football squad but a pivotal moment for Jakszyk's musical aspirations occurred when, at 13 years old, he saw King Crimson play at Watford Town Hall. This experience inspired him to pursue a career in music. He later joined the National Youth Theatre and worked as a part-time musician and actor.
Jakko's favourite band name at the time was Twenty-Five Views of Worthing and he must have frequented The Sportsman pub where the Worthings frequently played and practised in the mid '70s.
Jakszyk's memoir, "Who's The Boy With The Lovely Hair?", delves into his complex family history, including his adoption and search for his birth mother. He explores the challenges and impact of his unique background on his life and music. The memoir was released in 2024 and is accompanied by an album, "Son Of Glen"
Jakko Jakszy joined Level 42 as the lead guitarist in 1991 and remained with the band until its breakup in 1994. It Allan Holdsworth, another renowned guitarist who recommended him as his replacement in Level 42.
Contribution: While he didn't play on the album "Guaranteed", he did participate in the promotional activities and tour associated with it. He also played on two B-sides from that era, "At This Great Distance" and "As Years Go By". Formal Status: Interestingly, unlike some other members, Jakszyk never became a full legal member of the band, possibly due to "record company politics". Post-Level 42: He later became the lead singer and guitarist for King Crimson from 2013 to 2021
Contribution: While he didn't play on the album "Guaranteed", he did participate in the promotional activities and tour associated with it. He also played on two B-sides from that era, "At This Great Distance" and "As Years Go By". Formal Status: Interestingly, unlike some other members, Jakszyk never became a full legal member of the band, possibly due to "record company politics". Post-Level 42: He later became the lead singer and guitarist for King Crimson from 2013 to 2021
