Jackson Five

The Jackson 5 – Consisting of Jackie, Jermaine, Tito, Marlon, and Michael, the Gary-born Jackson 5 formed under the strict leadership of their father Joseph in 1966. (Actually, Joseph started working with Jackie, Tito and Jermaine in 1964.) Accompanying musicians included keyboardist Ronnie Rancifer and drummer Johnny Porter Jackson, who were both advertised as cousins but were actually just talented locals. In addition to performing frequently in Chicago, the Jackson 5 played the “Chitlin’ Circuit” (black night clubs) throughout the mid-eastern United States. In 1967—the same year that little Michael replaced Jermaine as the main lead singer—the group competed in an amateur night at New York’s Apollo Theater and caught the attention of Gladys Knight, but she couldn’t convince Motown executive Berry Gordy to go after the group. Due to the persistence of Bobby Taylor (another Motown artist), the group auditioned for Motown in 1968 and proceeded to release ten albums on that lable in eight years. Through it all, they produced six #1 singles on the R & B charts and 4 on the U.S. pop charts. From 1976 to 1990, the group recorded six albums with CBS Records, which billed them as the Jacksons. When youngest brother Randy (an unofficial member since 1972) officially joined the group in 1976, Michael and Jermaine left at the same time to pursue solo careers. Lastly, all six Jackson brothers joined forces for 1984’s Victory Tour, which in its day was the highest tour of all time.