James G. Herrera

Charlie Jackaman was my friend and even as a young student at Nixon Hg. School I could see he had something no one else possessed.  I was a drumming enthusiast with no real drumming skills at the time and I was asked by Charlie to join his band, "Charlie Jackaman and Friends".  Some thought Charlie was too far reaching in how he handled his band and his affairs however I did then and still do now see Charlie as someone who was way ahead of the times.  Not too long after I learned as a young student that Charlie had passed away, I made a point of meeting with his father, Victor, and helped him learn that I really felt Charlie was both a terrfic person and someone I missed as he was a friend - his dad was affected as he realized his son had a side he did not easily see.  I write this commentary to Charlie's passing close to my time of retirement and many years after Charlie passing however Charles Jackaman will be a person I'll never forget and who helped change my life for the better and helped make me the better person that I am today.  Charlie was smart and really could have gone places and changed other people's lives for the better which is why even now I am saddened when I remember he is no longer with us.  I'm one of the very lucky few who he took into his confidence and gave me the chance few at the time did by allowing me playing music with him.  Believe me when I write that Charlie Jackaman was both a special person and an innovator whose time to depart this life came way too early.  I miss him and feel that is not likely to change.  Your friend and classmate - James G. Herrera