For millions of music fans, Terry Jacks is remembered as the voice behind one of the most emotional songs of the 1970s, Seasons in the Sun. The song became a worldwide phenomenon, filling radios across the globe and turning Terry into an international star.
But behind the success was a much more complicated story.
It was a story of ambition, creativity, love, conflict, and eventually heartbreaking loss. Long before Seasons in the Sun became a global hit, Terry Jacks and Susan Jacks were a young couple chasing a dream together, building one of Canada’s most successful musical partnerships before facing the personal struggles that would eventually separate them.
Terry Jacks was born in Winnipeg, Canada, in 1944, but grew up in British Columbia, where he developed an early passion for music. As a young man, he became fascinated with songwriting, recording, and production, eventually forming a band called The Chessmen in the early 1960s.
During this period, Terry’s talent as a musician and producer began attracting attention.
His life changed when he met Susan Pescovitz, a talented singer who would later become known as Susan Jacks. The two met while appearing on the Canadian television music program Music Hop. Their shared love of music quickly brought them together, both personally and professionally.
In 1967, they formed The Poppy Family.
The group combined Terry’s songwriting and production skills with Susan’s distinctive voice, creating a sound that stood apart from many other acts of the era. Their biggest breakthrough came with the song “Which Way You Goin’ Billy?”
The track became a massive success, reaching the top of charts in Canada and gaining international attention. The Poppy Family became one of Canada’s most successful musical exports, and Terry and Susan appeared to be living the dream many artists hoped to achieve.
But success brought pressure.
Behind the scenes, their partnership was not always easy.
Terry was known as a perfectionist who cared deeply about every detail of the music. His commitment to creating the best possible recordings helped produce their success, but it also created tension. The same dedication that pushed the group forward sometimes made collaboration difficult.
The pressure of touring, recording, and balancing marriage with a professional partnership gradually affected their relationship.
By the early 1970s, the couple’s personal and creative differences became harder to overcome. The Poppy Family eventually dissolved, and Terry and Susan divorced in 1973.
Although their marriage ended, their musical contributions together remained an important part of Canadian music history.
After the breakup, Terry continued working in music, but the next chapter of his career would bring him his greatest international success.
That song was “Seasons in the Sun.”
Originally based on the French song Le Moribond by Belgian songwriter Jacques Brel, Terry adapted the piece into a deeply emotional English-language version. The song carried themes of farewell, memories, friendship, and the pain of saying goodbye.
For Terry, the song had a personal meaning.
He was inspired by the death of a close friend who had battled leukemia, and that emotional connection shaped the way he approached the recording. In fact, Terry initially hesitated about releasing the song because he worried it was too sad and personal.
But once it was released, everything changed.
“Seasons in the Sun” became one of the biggest songs of the decade. It topped charts around the world and sold millions of copies internationally. Its simple melody and emotional lyrics connected with listeners everywhere, making it one of the defining songs of the 1970s.
However, the enormous success also came with unexpected consequences.
Terry became uncomfortable with the level of fame that followed. Rather than continuing to chase celebrity status, he gradually stepped away from the music industry and turned his attention toward environmental activism.
Beginning in the 1970s, Terry became deeply involved in protecting British Columbia’s environment. He campaigned against pollution, irresponsible logging practices, and damage to natural ecosystems.
His activism was not just symbolic.
Terry invested significant time and resources into environmental causes, often challenging powerful industries and corporations. His efforts continued for decades and contributed to broader discussions about conservation and environmental responsibility in Canada.
While his public focus changed, his personal life also entered a more difficult period.
In later years, both Terry and Susan faced serious health challenges.
Terry experienced major medical issues, including two strokes in 2016, which affected his health but did not erase his determination. Susan, meanwhile, faced a long battle with kidney disease.
Susan Jacks had continued pursuing music after The Poppy Family, earning recognition as a talented singer in her own right. She released solo work and remained connected to the music community that had shaped her life.
Her health struggles became increasingly difficult over time.
In 2010, Susan received a kidney transplant that gave her additional years of life. However, her condition remained challenging, and she eventually required another transplant. While waiting for treatment, she developed complications from an infection.
On April 25, 2022, Susan Jacks passed away.
Her death marked the end of a remarkable musical journey that began decades earlier when she and Terry first performed together.
Although their marriage had ended many years before, Terry and Susan shared a unique place in music history. They were two artists whose lives became connected through creativity, success, and unforgettable songs.
Their story was not a simple fairy tale.
It was a story of two talented people who experienced the highs of fame and the realities of personal struggle. They created music that touched millions, faced difficult choices, and continued their own journeys long after their partnership ended.
Today, Terry Jacks is remembered not only for Seasons in the Sun, but also for his work as a producer, environmental advocate, and Canadian music pioneer. Susan Jacks is remembered for her beautiful voice and the lasting impact she made through The Poppy Family and her solo career.
Their legacy remains a reminder that behind every famous song is a human story—one filled with dreams, challenges, love, and loss.
