The Power of Jackson 5
November 20, 2008 by admin
Filed under Featured Artists
During the 90’s Scott, Clint, Bob and Dave of the Moffatts rose to fame. Isaac, Taylor and Zac of the Hansons also had their fair share as one of the hottest bands that made million of girls cry and scream with their music. And they have one thing in common too.
The band is composed of family members; in fact they are all brothers. As they say, musical talents run in the family. Presently, we have the crazed Jonas Brothers composed of Kevin, Joe and Nick, hitting the airwaves with their hit songs. But even before these talented boys crooned their way to fame, a popular family musical group ruled the music scene in the 70’s. And they are the legendary Jackson 5.
Consist of brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael Jackson, Jackson 5 was a phenomenal band from Gary, Indiana. Considered as one of the most influential and successful group, they were hit superstars with their music ranging from R&B, funk, soul and disco. Jackson 5 produced popular songs like ABC, I’ll Be There, Dancing Machine, I Want You Back, Doctor My Eyes, Sugar Daddy, Maybe Tomorrow and Love You Save, among many others in a span of time. The talented brothers had numerous chart topping albums even before they hit their teens. This lead way to a Rock and Roll Hall Fame induction on the year 1997.
As mentioned, Jackson 5 is composed of five brothers who were a cause of great fanaticism among the population of young girls. The band members showed great charisma and attitude during their stay. Here is a brief biography about the brothers.
Sigmund Esco “Jackie” Jackson is the eldest brother in the Jackson family born May 4, 1951. He plays the tambourine and is the group’s high tenor singer. Jackie had solo albums in 1973 (Jackie Jackson) and 1989 (Be The One). He now resides in California while managing a record company named Jesco where rappers like DealZ (his son) and Mike Street is signed.
Toriano Geoffrey “Tito” Jackson is the baritone singer and plays the lead guitar in the band. Being the second in the family (born October 15, 1953), he was at first hesitant to show his musical talents. His father caught him strumming the guitar one night, which made his father realize that his kids have talents and encouraged them to go on. He passed his musical genes to his three sons who also formed a musical group, the 3T.
Jermaine LaJaune Jackson is the third brother and the bass guitarist of the group. He was the original lead singer of Jackson 5 but chose a solo career (with Motown recording company). This proved to be a good career choice since he got nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his album named Let’s Get Serious. He joined UK Big Brother where he was a crowd favorite. He is now 53 years old.
Marlon David Jackson was born on March 12, 1957 and the sixth child in the family. He is a percussion player aside form the first tenor vocals. He is also noted for his dancing skills. Marlon later decide to stop performing and chose another field. He now works as a real state broker and co-owns a broadcasting company.
Michael Joseph Jackson is the seventh child in the family, born August 29, 1958. Popularly known as Michael Jackson or MJ, he started a professional career at age 11 with his brothers. He was very popular which gave him a boost in his solo career. Also called as the “King of Pop”, he had a very stable and successful musical career, with the highest selling albums in the 80’s and 90’s. His hit songs include “Thriller”, “Billy Jean” and “Beat It”.
Steven Randall “Randy” Jackson, also called “Little Randy” is the youngest brother in the band where he also plays the conga. When the Jackson 5 split, he formed another band called “Randy and the Gypsies”. Unlike his other brothers, he chose to live a low profile nowadays. He has three children and is now 46 years old.
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Can you imagine life at the Jackson family house at Christmas? Do you think they discuss what has become of Michael and whether it was too much fame too soon that caused his weird behaviour? Would you push your kids into a pop career if you were Jackie or Tito? These guys really have had soul music wrapped up between them and their offspring tho, so you gotta hand it to them.
I grew up with the Jackson 5ive on Saturday morning TV singing ABC. I’ll Be There and I Want you Back were my teenage years. The Jacksons were the first African American family I saw regularly on TV, but once Michael stole the limelight as a solo artist the last time I was reunited with the family was for We Are The World in 1985. Long live the Jackson 5ive! XX
I remember those Saturday mornings and I really used to adore Jackson 5. Even when I listen to their songs today, they remind me of my childhood. My favorite track was “Dancing Machine.” Yeah ABC was a true classic. In fact I don’t mind listening to it today.
I wish Jackie (Sigmund Esco Jackson) could give us some more memorable songs. Why doesn’t he sing today? I still relish all the songs of “Be The One”. I know he has to handle his record company, but he can carry on with singing. That would be good for his fans.
The King of Pop looked oh-so cute during those days. I was in the 2nd grade at that time and I used to love all their numbers. During recess hours, my friends and I used to gather together in school and sing the songs at the top of our voices.
I love her “I Want You Back”, “ABC”, “The Love You Save” and “I’ll Be There”
At the time of their early success, R&B stars, especially coming from Motown Records, were among the most popular musicians; Motown had launched the careers of dozens of the decade’s biggest stars, most notably The Supremes, The Miracles, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and the Temptations
Jackson 5 a sound that mixed the traditional “Motown Sound” with teenage-honed lyrics that they termed “bubblegum soul”.
“Randy” or Steven Randall Jackson was indeed “Little Randy”. The youngest band member was not only the darling of his big brothers but also of his fans. His own band was known as “Randy and the Gypsies”. Randy had planned to make an album named “J5”, but it was not made.
Of course there are actually nine kids in the Jackson family, and little Janet Jackson often gets left out but she has outdone her brother Michael with six number one studio albums. That said, the Jackson Five paved the way for the success of their siblings, and have gone down in history for the musical style they created. ‘I Want You Back’ and ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ are my favourite Jacksons songs - still dancing to them now.
We spent the night in Frisco, at every kind of disco, don’t blame it on the sunshine, don’t blame it on the moonlight, don’t blame it on the good times, blame it on the BOOGIE! No competition - hands down the most fun you can have dancing! Get in those hand claps and spins.
Why don’t they re-run the Jackson Five programme in the UK? It was a classic, along with the Banana Splits and the Doubledeckers kids tv. I’d almost forget how much I’m fed up with Michael if I saw him back in the day, all apple-cheeked and cute. Even now their songs have a freshness we don’t hear much. It sounds like they recorded it in one take, and then all went out for soda pops together!
I wonder if Brutha will receive their fair share of comparisons with the Jacksons as a musical family? They’ve already shown they are TV friendly, so look out for some TV exec signing them up for a sit-com style Saturday show or a warts and all reality slot. Let’s hope that like the Jacksons at least some of them get out unscathed.
In 2009, the Jackson 5 will reunite in a tour. They’re also set to release new material. That’s something I’d definitely look forward to in the coming year.
The Jackson 5 is a legendary band. I think that Michael Jackson had some of his greatest singles as a member. When he turned solo, it was terrific at first but all his personal issues proved disastrous.
I could be wrong but hasn’t Michael Jackson denied that a reunion will happen?? Besides, what I’m interested in is a Michael-Janet concert.
I Want You Back, ABC, I’ll Be There, and Never Can Say Goodbye — All these songs are jewels. I especially liked their choreography. They were cute, energetic, and charismatic. Hanson and Moffats pale in comparison.
In 1964, Michael was only 6 years old and even then, his natural talents shone through. It’s been several decades but I haven’t since seen a kid that talented. At that age, I was learning to read and playing was my life.
I remember that when the Jackson 5’s songs hit the waves, the ugly issue of race never cropped up. Everybody embraced them. They were that phenomenal.
Kids and superstardom — don’t mix well. We all know that by now. I don’t want to blame their parents. I heard in a Janet Jackson interview that their parents tried their hardest to keep their lives normal. All of them had chores no matter how much the fans had screamed for them at the concerts.
Their Christmas album, which was released in 1970, is one of the best there is out there. It’s a collector’s item. You can hear Michael’s cherubic voice…still gives me chills.
I can’t believe no one mentioned the Afro hair they all had. It’s very very adorable. And by the way, I thought that they were an extremely goodlooking family. They hit the genetic jackpot. Imagine having both looks and talent!
Did you know that Diana Ross is credited for their discovery?? I think this was because the Jackson 5 had opened up for the Supremes when they started out. “I Want You Back” is my favorite.
When Jermaine left for a solo career, Randy came to take his place. Somewhere along the way, Janet and LaToya also joined them in their concerts. I’m not really sure. Well, this I’m certain of, they’re a musical family that deserves to be treated like royalties.
Their first success was at a talent competition at a high school in Gary, Ind. And then turned professional. They didn’t look back after that. I’m curious though…how did they perform that heavily? Child labor laws were even stricter than it is now.
They were instant sensations and Jacksonmania hit the nation like a storm. No exaggeration! If you don’t believe me, try to check out memorabilia. Their images and logo appear on posters, stickers, coloring books, etc. They had a cartoon, tv shows, and their faces were plastered all over the magazines.
It’s so sad about their decline. It happens to everybody…even to the best. It excited me so much that Michael Jackson was going to appear in The Wiz alongside Diana Ross. He was still with the band but there were already rumors that he was going to leave.
Janet has surpassed her brothers, in terms of longevity in the music business. I have a theory on that and it’s because of reinvention. The Jacksons stayed with their image and weren’t allowed to explore and be creative. Just my two cents worth.
I agree with Patient Jane - they all had great looks. It seems such a shame that Michael looks so destroyed now. But the Afro hair and funky suits were so cool. Really all the boy bands now are just taking a leaf out of the Jacksons book for style and choreography.
Yes, Brutha for instance are five good looking lads. I bet that isn’t a coincidence because they will of course get compared to the Jacksons and for them that can only be a good thing!
The Power of The Jackson 5!…
During the 90’s Scott, Clint, Bob and Dave of the Moffatts rose to fame. Isaac, Taylor and Zac of the Hansons also had their fair share as one of the hottest bands that made million of girls cry and scream with their music. And they have one thing in…
Micheal was sure cute when he was a kid and such talent , i wasn’t born back when the jackson five were kids. Afros were cool. Best boy band ever. I was a just a little girl when micheal was singing billie jean on mtv, and I thought who was this cute guy with a bow tie! But I knew who he was because my mom like the jackson 5 she told me it was Micheal. I played the thriller album a whole lot and I suprised I didn’t wear it out!!!In the 1980’s he was a good looking man and he should have stay that way, but It doesn’t matter now since he is gone. Tito’s sons are sure handsome!!!!