Michael Jackson

:For other people with the same name, see Michael Jackson (disambiguation)

The Jackson 5 (The Jacksons)

Group founding and early years

Joseph organized Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and two unrelated neighborhood youths, Milford Hite (on drums) and Reynaud Jones (on keyboards), as an act called "The Jackson Brothers" in 1962. Within two years, Michael and his older brother Marlon began playing congas and tambourine, respectively, with The Jackson Brothers, before the group's name was changed to "The Jackson 5" in 1966 and nine-year-old Michael was appointed lead singer.

Related Topics:
Keyboard - 1962 - Congas - Tambourine - 1966

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Motown success

With Michael on lead vocals, the Jackson 5 built up a following by playing at clubs and bars on the "chitlin' circuit" throughout the Midwest, winning an Amateur Night competition at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. The Jackson 5 signed their first recording contract with the local Steeltown label in 1967, and had a regional hit with "Big Boy" in 1968.

Related Topics:
Chitlin' circuit - Apollo Theater - Harlem, New York - 1967 - 1968

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The Jackson 5 were discovered by both Gladys Knight & the Pips and Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers, who brought them to Motown Records in 1968. Label head Berry Gordy bought out the Jackson 5's Steeltown contract and signed the group to Motown in March 1969. Gordy then moved the Jackson family to Los Angeles, California, and proceeded to turn them into international stars. In the fall of 1969, The Jackson 5 were presented to the public by Diana Ross, and were officially launched as the next big Motown act.

Related Topics:
Gladys Knight & the Pips - Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers - Motown Records - 1968 - Berry Gordy - 1969 - Los Angeles, California - Diana Ross

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The group's first four singles, "I Want You Back" from 1969, and "ABC", "The Love You Save", and "I'll Be There" from 1970, all became number-one hits in the U.S. Later hits included "Mama's Pearl" and "Never Can Say Goodbye" (1971), "Lookin' Through the Windows" (1972), "Get It Together" (1973) and "Dancing Machine" (1974). The Jackson 5 recorded fourteen albums for Motown, and Michael, Jermaine, and Jackie all recorded solo albums as part of the Jackson 5 "franchise". Michael released four solo albums while at Motown, spawning the hits "Got to Be There", "Rockin' Robin", "I Wanna Be Where You Are", and the number-one hit "Ben," among others. Most of the Jackson 5 hits were produced by either The Corporation#8482; – a collective of songwriters and record producers including Gordy, Freddie Perren, Alphonzo Mizell, and Deke Richards – or by Motown songwriter/producer Hal Davis.

Related Topics:
I Want You Back - 1969 - ABC - The Love You Save - I'll Be There - 1970 - Mama's Pearl - Never Can Say Goodbye - 1971 - 1972 - 1973 - Dancing Machine - 1974 - Ben - The Corporation#8482; - Songwriter - Record producer - Freddie Perren - Alphonzo Mizell - Deke Richards - Hal Davis

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The move to Epic

In 1975, the Jackson brothers signed a new contract with CBS Records, first joining the Philadelphia International division and later moving over to Epic Records. The new deal with CBS provided larger royalties and creative freedom that the Jackson 5 were not allowed at Motown. Upon learning that the Jackson 5 had signed a contract with another label, Motown sued the group for breach of contract; as a result, they lost the rights to use the "Jackson 5" name and logo. Additionally Jermaine, who had married Berry Gordy's daughter Hazel, opted to remain at Motown for a full-time solo career. Now known as "The Jacksons", and featuring youngest Jackson brother Randy in Jermaine's place, the brothers continued their successful career, touring internationally and releasing six albums between 1976 and 1984. Hits during this period included "Enjoy Yourself" and "Show You The Way To Go" in 1976, "Blame It On The Boogie" in 1977, "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" in 1978, and "Can You Feel It" and "Heartbreak Hotel" in 1980. The Jacksons would continue to record together well into the 1980s, even bringing Jermaine back into the fold for their 1984 Victory album and tour. By the end of the decade, Michael and Marlon were no longer members of The Jacksons, and the group disbanded in 1990.

Related Topics:
1975 - CBS Records - Philadelphia International - Epic Records - Randy - 1976 - 1984 - Enjoy Yourself - 1977 - Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground) - 1978 - Can You Feel It - Heartbreak Hotel - 1980 - 1980s

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