Jerry Wayne “Count Jackson” LaCroix was born in Alexandria, Louisiana, on October 10, 1943. His family moved to Port Arthur in 1947 and later settled in Groves, where he attended local schools before graduating from Port Neches-Groves High School in 1961. LaCroix studied music at Lamar State College and later at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, but left Berklee to pursue a full-time career on the road. A powerhouse vocalist, saxophonist, and harmonica player, LaCroix joined the Boogie Kings at only fourteen. Even as a teenager, he was already recognized for his gritty soul vocals—an unusual sound for a young white singer in the 1950s and ’60s. With the Boogie Kings he toured widely throughout Europe, Australia, and the Philippines, helping to define the Gulf Coast’s “blue-eyed soul” tradition.

 

LaCroix later became a key member of several nationally prominent bands. He performed with Edgar Winter on the albums White Trash and Roadwork—the latter earning him a gold record in 1972—and contributed to Winter’s famously high-energy live shows. He also sang lead with Rare Earth during a transitional period for the band, and later joined Blood, Sweat & Tears, adding his trademark raspy vocals and horn work to their touring lineup. Throughout his career, LaCroix was credited on nine albums for Epic and Mercury Records. Known for his powerful stage presence, he routinely switched between vocals, saxophone, and harmonica with ease. Fellow musicians frequently cited him as one of the most soulful and dynamic performers to come from Southeast Texas.

​

In his later years, LaCroix continued performing regionally, appearing at reunion shows, festivals, and special events that celebrated the Gulf Coast’s musical history. His contributions to rock, soul, and R&B remain a defining part of the region’s sound, and his legacy continues to influence generations of Gulf Coast musicians.