THE JACKSON 5 BIOGRAPHY


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The Jackson 5 Biography
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Inductees: Jackie Jackson (vocals; born May 14, 1951), Jermaine Jackson (vocals; born December 11, 1954), Marlon Jackson (vocals; born March 12, 1957), Michael Jackson (vocals; born August 29, 1958), Tito Jackson (vocals; born October 15, 1953)

In the words of Berry Gordy, founder and driving force behind Motown, the Jackson 5 were "the last big stars to come rolling off my assembly line." After performing for much of the decade in and around their native Indiana, the Jackson 5 found their way to Detroit's hitmaking Motown Records at the tail end of the Sixties. Led by 11-year-old Michael Jackson-who was joined by brothers Jermaine, Tito, Marlon and Jackie-the Jackson 5 were young, fresh and full of energy. The group made music-business history when their first four singles shot to #1 in 1970. That record-breaking string of 45s-"I Want You Back," "ABC," "The Love You Save" and "I'll Be There"-endeared the hard-working Jackson's to a public that found their soulful singing and tight choreography an entertaining diversion from all the social and political cataclysms weighing upon the country.

Like all of Motown's acts, the Jackson 5's popularity transcended race. Everyone loved the Jackson Five, especially the cherubic, charismatic Michael. The reasons for their out-of-the-box success boiled down to one simple truth: "The singing and the songs make us happy," wrote soul-music biographer David Ritz. "They are moments of incandescent beauty-young, wildly optimistic."

The Jackson 5 rose from humble circumstances in Gary, Indiana. They were the eldest sons in a family of nine children born to steelworker Joe Jackson and his wife Katherine. When Joe saw that his charges had talent, he devoted himself to molding them into a well-rehearsed group that covered Motown and other soul/R&B hits of the day. When they formed in 1964, Michael Jackson was all of six years old, but his natural gift for singing, dancing and entertaining belied his youth. They performed at talent shows and as opening acts on bills that took them to places like Harlem's Apollo Theater, where they won an amateur-night competition in 1967.

All the while, Michael Jackson studied the moves of the masters: their onstage choreography, how they phrased a song, the way they worked a crowd. His heroes and tutors included James Brown, Sam and Dave, Jack Wilson, Etta James and his older brother, Jermaine, who himself was a disciple of Marvin Gaye. The Jackson 5 also absorbed a considerable measure of influence from another "family" act: the prototypical soul/funk crossover band Sly and the Family Stone.

The Jackson 5 wound up at Motown through the importunings of Bobby Taylor, a performer and producer who caught their act at Chicago's Regal nightclub. They were a road-tested act even then, having for years worked the "chitlin' circuit" of black nightclubs as far east as Washington D.C. At Motown, Berry Gordy took a hands-on interest in the group. With Diana Ross having left the Supremes and Gordy having relocated from Detroit to Los Angeles, the Jackson 5 were poised to inherit the torch and carry Motown's success forward into the Seventies. Much of the Jackson 5's early repertoire was written, rehearsed and recorded in California under Gordy's tutelage.

They were matched with "the Corporation," a Motown production team groomed to replace the recently departed Holland-Dozier-Holland. In January 1970, their first production for the Jackson 5, "I Want You Back," reached #1 on the pop and R&B charts. Its followup, "ABC," unseated the Beatles' "Let It Be" from the top position that April. Their youthful, soulful sound got dubbed "bubblegum soul." By the summer of 1970, the Jackson 5 were headlining 20,000-seat venues, and Jacksonmania was in full swing. "I'll Be There," their fourth #1 single in a row and biggest hit, remained on top for five weeks in the fall of 1970. They conquered television as well as radio, appearing regularly on The Ed Sullivan Show in the early Seventies and on their own CBS summer variety show in 1976. An animated Saturday-morning cartoon show based on the musical adventures of the Jackson 5 enhanced their appeal with younger fans.

Their tenure at Motown continued until the mid-Seventies, by which time they'd begun to turn their attention to the emerging disco movement with hits like "Dancing Machine" (#2, 1974). Moving to Epic, the Jackson 5 shortened their name to the Jackson's. Their first two albums for the new label, The Jackson's and Goin' Places, were produced by Philadelphia R&B masters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. The Jackson's entered another successful phase in their career with a trio of contemporary dance-oriented R&B albums-Destiny (1978), Triumph (1980) and Victory (1984)-which were produced and largely written by the increasingly autonomous group. Their highly publicized 1984 Victory tour turned out to be the last Jacksons project to include brother Michael, who had by then achieved solo superstardom.

Clan patriarch Joe Jackson and boxing promoter Don King were among the co-promoters of the Victory tour, which was sponsored by Pepsi. Controversy ensued when ticket prices were fixed at a then-astronomical $30. Michael Jackson thereupon announced that he would donate his share of the proceeds to charity. In 1989, the Jackson's (sans Michael) released their seventh Epic album, 2300 Jackson Street, whose title referred to the street address in Gary, Indiana, where the family's incredible musical saga began.

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Review about The Jackson 5

All of u are the best, always love for jackson 5 & all jackson family | Reviewer: Richie andriani | 10/28/09

Hai the jackson family, I am Richie andriani/f/28years-old/moslem/indonesian. At first, sorry because my english is very bad. But, I really want to give my support to all of your family. The first I knew was Michael jackson, since I was 8 years old, bcause I like his songs very much. I like his personality, his talent, and everything about him. Then I knew about jackson 5 from my parents who likes jackson 5 & michael very much. Since that, I & all my family adore the jackson family and all your work & creation. Although in indonesia we not know the work of each jackson's brother, but we know that each all of you is the great talent man/woman. Special for michael, I always pray to God for your peace. May we meet in heaven's God. We always love you michael..., & the jackson famly, forever....
Michael, you're always in my heart...

He Will Always Be There | Reviewer: Nikki G. | 8/29/09

I am and have always been a fan The Jackson 5 and I always will be even though some people THINK that it is the Jackson 4 I know that it will always be The Jackson 5 because Michael is always gonna be there always and forever.He will be watching you guys from heaven and he will be singing every song with all of you. I will keep you all in my prayers.Gob Bless

words can't xpress | Reviewer: Aderibigbe Ademola | 7/25/09

hello Jackson 5 now Jackson 4. I want you all to know that no matter what i say, no amount of words could really express the way i felt when i heard that the world most talented is gone. i want you all to accept my candid sympathy and try as much as you all could to carry on with your lives...

My warmest sympathy | Reviewer: vanette Hines | 7/9/09

Hello Jackson family i wont you all to know that I mourn along with you. and your whole family is in my family prayers. we love yall and I am very grateful that I got a chance to see all of you in concert in the pass, i wont to say that i love Micheal as though he was a brother to me even though he wasn't any kin to me but growing up with the Jackson 5 music and MJ'S music I felt apart of the family and on my sick bed Jackson 5 songs and MJ"S songs was my inspiration to live may GOD bless the whole family and i hope his nephews take a part in his music in the future.
love Vanette Hines

Simply the best | Reviewer: Ninzky Peñaranda | 7/7/09

Dear Jackson Family,
My name is Niño Noel T Peñaranda (29yrs old) from the Philippines. First of all i extend my condolences to your family. Im the biggest fan of the Jackson 5 until to the era of MJ. ever since im fun of collecting old songs and to the latest songs today. The Jackson songs were the best. they give their all to the song that gave the whole world hope. Especially what MJ did to the whole world. He united the world with his beautiful songs that he produce. and from that i can say you build a good family of Hope to everyone. as MJ song that no matter if you're "Black or White" that gave a strong message that dreams are for everyone to hold and cant be taken away by no one. MJ reach our hearts with joy and laughter. no matter how far he is. He'll always be here in our hearts forevermore. Long live the King and to your family. God Bless

Remember The Time | Reviewer: Bruce Rolle | 6/29/09

I live on the smallest island in THE BAHAMAS called BIMINI which is 50 miles east of FLORIDA.I grew up listening to the JACKSON 5 and also watched their tv show.I remember when Michael went solo and his album THRILLER and OFF THE WALL with songs like,Billy Jean,Beat it,Rock With you,just to name a few.Michael's legacy will forever live on.My prayers are with his entire family

My Support for the Remaining Jacksons | Reviewer: Harold Lenn Levingston | 6/25/09

Dear Jackson Family,
I, Harold Lenn Levingston am writing to let you know that I am mourning with you for your loss. I know that loosing a family member is very hard. Loosing a family member that was well known by over millions and almost billions of people is harder. I lost a good friend too just this past 3 months. I really missed her too. Someone to die like that is very hard. The man has been with us for 20 years before I was born. But remember that And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[a] who[b] have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). Life comes and goes here on Earth, but then comes a second and eternal life for those who believe in Christ. All you have to do is ask God for forgiveness for your sins, acknowledge that Jesus Christ died on the cross, and God raised him from the dead on the Third day--Easter/Resurrection--and accept Christ, Jesus in your hearts. Then you will know full love. You have my support. If you need anything, I will do my best to provide the best way that I can, to the ability that God gives me. God Bless you!!

Your Friend,
Harold Lenn Levingston
Thursday, June 25, 2009

Talent Show At Gilroy Stadium 1964 or 1965 | Reviewer: Anita Farmer Jordan | 11/3/08

I sang in a girl's trio at the time, from Michigan City, Indiana. Leon Colmen from Colmen and William funeral home was our Manager. The Jackson 5 won first place and our group won second place. I was so impressed with Michael. He was such a cute little guy, and boy did he perform. Our group was told who ever won that contest got to meet Diana Ross. I always wondered if that was true. We worked so hard and for so long!! But I was happy to see The Jackson Five win. They deserved it. I was heart broken, but they deserved it. I know that was quite a few years ago. I was about 15 or 16 at that time, and Michael was 6 or 7. Those were the good old days.

Anita Farmer Jordan

jackson five always in my heart | Reviewer: ISOLDE DEL PINO | 7/20/08

hello
my name is Isolde Del pino
I am Chilean and I am 14 years old
I like always the jackson five and

good that I would like to play together again but I would like to give you a dedication to michael I always liked to know and
and I like it a lot to read

for michael the best people of all world

I wait than when you receive this letter you feel very well
I like when you dance and sing, there you give all energy.
you have since when you were a boy,I like you love all children ¡ that is wonderful!!
that you are very next to them, is like you are a boy
for that reason I tell, you are the only in all and nobody might be as you.
you are very humble and you don´t need money for be famous.
today is a specially day for me and you family because today is you are birthday, congratulation and lot lover for you.
in this moment I would like being with you for give you this letter I have done with all my heart.
I want to ask you some ¡ don´t change! because you are only in all the world.
you must know, a lot people love you and they would do any thing for help you before a problem.

do you know? I don´t have any material for give you and feel this letter is very few for you, then I give you is song

I would like you listen this song.

ok
by by a lot lover
happy birthday and also although the years continue rising always will remember to that boy innocent and happy.

this letter is for the birthday of
michael

happy birthday

that you be happy

we all love the Jacksons, although they...? You figure it. | Reviewer: The Riley Queen | 12/12/07

I've always loved the Jacksons.They are the biggest black popular family that captured America's heart and eyes for a long time. Lots of us grew up loving them. I don't care how many changes they have been through. I still love their old hits. Micheal was the only child singer I reconized back in the day, and Donnie Osmond.When you grow up with certain things and it gets inbeaded in your heart, you can't just curse that person because of a sudden change. It happens everyday.We have our time here on earth and we have our memories, and it's because of all that hard work and sacrifice they did from childhood to adults. As children they were great entertainers,and we wanted it to last for ever. We all loved the Jacksons in our town,even when ole Randy Jackson joined the group,They sang and danced their hearts out and we copied every move, at least we tried to,at one time you knew you were Micheal or he was a big part of your person in some way. The same with Jermain. Marlon popped out later and Tito stayed in the background. Janet did it all for the women in the family, especialy for poor ole Latoya she tried. Rebie came out enough to know she was a Jackson. They are blessed for their parents to be still alive and kickin'it, infact all of them because lots of us lost our Mothers and Fathers or a sibbling that knew them too. I still listen and dance to their music from the seventies,hanging on to those old memories. Most children follow in their parents footsteps as they did. I wonder why non of their children besides Tito's boys, which we still don't hear from, why haven't they started a whole new Jackson thing? Someone from this gerneration need to do something to keep the party going. Our Jacksons are getting old! With lots of weird problems Enquiring minds know about. I have lots of questions of why? That's what my title means, if you'd like to know all of the questions on my mind then ask me what they are. I'd have to write a whole lot more and not just about Micheal either. Thank you for asking me to share my thoughts. Now we're connected, and if you know God is the 1, then God bless you more. Happy holidays! From The Riley Queen

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