Dad’s hit single dreams come true, days after his death
Family and friends of talented musician Mike Jacobs urge people to buy his track Stay, with proceeds donated to charity
A business director who abandoned a music career 30 years ago due to lack of confidence has realised his dream of having a top 10 single, days after he passed away.
Mike Jacobs, 61, recorded the single, Stay, about a breakup with a girlfriend, after he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and given just nine months to live.
His son, Josh, 37, told Jewish News: “He would be looking down now, with a beer, just what the hell is going on. He wouldn’t believe it and would be over the moon.
Get The Jewish News Daily Edition by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up
“He’s probably thinking why the hell didn’t I do it 30 years ago?”
Josh said his dad had always sung, but “didn’t have the confidence [to take it further].”
He was really scared of what people might think.”
Stay is Number 2 in the iTunes charts. Josh said that the family “could not believe the excitement that the song and accompanying video had caused. It’s like a whirlwind, it’s all going crazy.”
The TV director added: “We’ve been getting so many messages from people saying it’s inspired them to do more with their lives, to follow their dreams. It’s just seems to be resonating with people.”
The song has given the family “some solace that dad literally lived his dream. It’s been such a hard dark time but this has given my family so much joy.”
Mike’s family are working to finish a documentary based on the “incredible story of a father and son, who truly make the most of the limited time they have left together”.
All funds raised through the song or JustGiving will go towards the hospices that helped Mike in his last few months – Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity and Rennie Grove Hospice Care.
Josh urged JN readers to “download the song. The more downloads there are, the more money is raised”.
Listen to Mike’s single here:
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.






















