Former Morristown Official, Punk Rock Pioneer, Artist, Dies

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A former Morristown councilman who was active in the New York City punk rock scene has died.

Tim Jackson, who served on the Morristown Council from 1996 to 2007, died Monday at the age of 77.

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“He was a beloved member of the Morristown community, an honorable Councilman, and a true champion of the ‘little guy,’” said ex-wife and longtime friend Beth Goldstein-Jackson. “He cared deeply about people and worked to make a difference wherever he could.”

Before dedicating his life to public service, Jackson was involved in the punk rock scene in New York in the 1970s. He played drums for the band, The Stilletoes, featuring Blondie’s Debbie Harry and Chris Stein, according to a Morristown Green report. He also rubbed shoulders with the likes of Andy Warhol, another icon of the punk movement.

Years later, Jackson would live in Morristown as a painter and drawer. After a stroke immobilized his right side, he began using his left hand to create art, earning him a feature on PBS in 2016.

“I like it better now… it’s very freeing,” Jackson said on his left-hand style in the PBS short.

In his time as a councilman, Jackson championed for the arts in particular, at one point helping save the Mayo Performing Arts Center in the 1990s.

“He will be remembered as a beloved community member who cared deeply about people and worked to make a meaningful difference wherever possible,” a Morristown statement read.

There will be a celebration of life on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Kellogg Club, 25 Colles Avenue in Morristown.