Jackson family

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Jackson family
Jacksonstvshow.jpg
Place of origin Gary, Indiana, U.S.
Members

The Jackson family is an American family of musicians and entertainers from Gary, Indiana. Many of the children of Joseph Walter (or Joe) and Katherine Esther Jackson were successful musicians, notably the brothers that formed the Motown boy band the Jackson 5 (later known as the Jacksons). Several of the siblings also had successful solo careers. Joe worked as their manager. The Jackson family, both as a musical group and as solo artists, have achieved success in the field of popular music from the late 1960s and onward. They are sometimes called the "First Family of Soul" (a title first bestowed on the Five Stairsteps), [1] [2] the "Imperial Family of Pop", or the "Royal Family of Pop", especially following the success of Michael and Janet Jackson, [3] the former of whom is frequently dubbed the "King of Pop".

Contents

The Jackson 5 originally consisted of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael. In 1975, Randy replaced Jermaine. Michael and Janet are regarded as the most popular members of the family, as both of them have had highly distinguished solo careers and are often hailed as two of the most influential pop and R&B artists in history. [4] [5] Members of the Jackson family have produced a total of 27 US number one hits, and all of the Jackson siblings have gold records to their credits with La Toya holding the distinction of being the first Jackson sister to attain one (awarded by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique for "Reggae Night", which she co-wrote for Jimmy Cliff). Janet is the first black woman to receive the Billboard Icon Award.

The Jacksons are one of the most influential families in entertainment history. [4] [6] [7] [8] In 1997, the Jackson 5 was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. [9] Michael was inducted as a solo artist in 2001, making him one of the few who have been inducted twice. [10] Joining her brothers, Janet was inducted in 2019. [5] Michael, Janet, and the Jacksons were awarded stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1984, 1990 and 1980, respectively. In 2009, a television series entitled The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty premiered on A&E, documenting the Jackson brothers dealing with the sudden loss of Michael and preparing for a Jackson 5 reunion tour. [11]

First generation

Joe Jackson in 2014 Joseph Jackson Cannes 2014.jpg
Joe Jackson in 2014

Joseph Walter Jackson was born on July 26, 1928, in Arkansas, but he grew up in Oakland, California, with his father Samuel Jackson, a school teacher. At age 18, he moved to East Chicago, Indiana, to be with his mother Crystal Lee King and to pursue his dreams of becoming a professional boxer. At age 21, Joseph married Katherine Scruse, 19, immediately starting a family. Even though he wanted to be a success in boxing it was not a job for a family man, so he obtained a job as an overhead crane operator with East Chicago's Inland Steel Company. His family continued to grow steadily and over the course of sixteen years he and Katherine had a house full of nine children. Joe Jackson always wanted to make it big and although he could not in boxing or in his own short musical stint in the 1950s with the band the Falcons, he saw the talent in his children, starting with Tito and his ability to play the guitar. [12]

Michael Jackson in 1988 Michael Jackson (1988).jpg
Michael Jackson in 1988

Soon enough, Joe Jackson formed a band of his sons Tito, Jermaine and Jackie called The Jackson Brothers in 1964 and became their manager. After several years of doing local talent shows, Joseph enlarged the band to include Marlon and Michael, two of his younger sons, and then changed the name of the band to The Jackson Five by 1966, remaining the group's manager. As their father, he was a very strict disciplinarian [13] and as their manager he enforced long practice sessions of singing and dancing in hopes of preparing them to make it big one day. In August 1967, the group made a debut at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York, where they won the Amateur Night contest. Gordon Keith, the owner and producer at Steeltown Records in Gary, Indiana, discovered the Jackson Five and signed them to their first contract in November 1967. "Big Boy", the boys' first record which was produced by Keith, was released on January 30, 1968. It became a local hit. In March 1969, they signed a Motown record contract and became known as the Jackson 5. The group enjoyed the fame Joseph Jackson had been longing for in his life. He continued to manage The Jackson 5 into stardom, and after the band had many no. 1 hits on the Billboard hot singles charts, Joseph moved them to a mansion in Encino, California, with his own hefty salary he had obtained as their full-time manager. After many years as a band and with Michael as lead singer, the group continued to churn out even more hits and wealth, but tensions grew and in 1979, Michael severed ties with his father/manager and went on to pursue an international solo musical entertainment career. Four years later, in 1983, Michael's siblings fired Joseph Jackson as their manager. In 1993, Michael Jackson accused his father of physical and mental abuse; a few of the other siblings confirmed this claim, but others denied it. [12]

Katherine Jackson (née Kattie B. Screws) was born on May 4, 1930, in Barbour County, Alabama, the child of Prince Albert Scruse (1907–1997) and Martha Mattie Upshaw (1907–1990). She was left with a permanent limp after acquiring polio syndrome in her childhood. She later recovered from her illness after moving with her family to East Chicago, Indiana, where she would remain until meeting her husband Joseph Jackson. The couple moved and bought a small home in Gary, Indiana, where she birthed and they raised nine children and she was a stay-at-home mother. [14] Throughout her life, Katherine remained a devoted Jehovah's Witness and raised her children strictly under the same spiritual teachings she received. Also, as a talented pianist, clarinetist and vocalist who shared her talents with her children, she was later credited for being the foundation of her children's success. After her sons' rise to fame as The Jackson 5, she strongly supported her children and became the costume designer for their shows and performances. Some of the memorable moments of her unconditional support were seen when her son Michael was tried and later acquitted for molestation charges in 1993 and 2005. Katherine now lives in Calabasas, California where she cares for the children of her late son, Michael. [14] After allegations that she may have been held against her will by Randy and Janet Jackson, Katherine lost custody of Michael's children, ultimately regaining it in 2012. [15] [16]

Second generation

Janet Jackson in 1998 Janet Jackson 1998.jpg
Janet Jackson in 1998

Together, Joe and Katherine Jackson had ten children. Their son Brandon (Marlon's twin) died shortly after birth. The other nine grew up to become professional musicians, among other professions. [17]

Extramarital

Third generation

There are twenty-seven children who make up the third generation of the Jackson family along with several great-grandchildren. Among them, some have followed in the family's footsteps into the entertainment industry. [21] The three children of Michael Jackson are probably the most well-known of the third generation. [22] Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. (b. February 13, 1997), also known as "Prince", Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson (b. April 3, 1998) and Prince Michael Jackson II, who goes by "Bigi" (b. February 21, 2002), have been discussed in the press numerous times throughout their lives, particularly since their father's death in 2009. [23]

Rebbie, Tito, Jackie and Jermaine have also had children, who have come under varying degrees of media focus. Austin Brown (b. November 22, 1985), the only son of Rebbie Jackson, is a singer-songwriter who has released several successful singles in the pop/R&B genre. [24] Tito Jackson's three sons, Toriano Adaryll "Taj" Jackson Jr. (b. August 4, 1973), Taryll Adren Jackson (b. August 8, 1975) and Tito Joe Jackson (b. July 16, 1978) make up the R&B/pop music group 3T. [25] 3T has released three studio albums and has gone on to have moderate success in the industry, primarily outside of the United States. [26] Sigmund Esco "Siggy" Jackson, Jr. (b. June 29, 1977), the eldest son to Jackie Jackson, is a hip-hop artist who goes under the name "Dealz". Siggy has been a ghostwriter for a number of independent artists and has obtained mild success as a solo artist.[ citation needed ] Jermaine La Jaune "Jay" Jackson, Jr. (b. January 27, 1977), the eldest son to Jermaine Jackson, portrayed his father in the 1992 miniseries, The Jacksons: An American Dream , a biographical film about the Jackson family. His other son Jaafar Jackson will portray Michael in the upcoming biopic film Michael . [27] On January 3, 2017, at age 50, Janet gave birth to Eissa Al Mana, the youngest member of the third generation. [28]

Gina FreemanJuly "Jack" Gale
Gertrude DanielSamuel KingEmeline WilliamsIsrael Nero
Martha UpshawPrince Albert ScrewsCrystal Lee KingSamuel JosephJamesJane
Kattie ScrewsJoseph WalterVerna MaeLula MaeLawrenceMartin Luther
Maureen Reillette "Rebbie"Sigmund Esco "Jackie"Toriano Adaryll "Tito"Jermaine La JauneLa Toya YvonneMarlon DavidBrandonMichael JosephSteven Randall "Randy"Janet Damita Jo
Austin BrownSigmund Esco "Siggy"Toriano Adaryll "Taj"Jermaine La Jaune "Jay"Valencia CarolineMichael Joseph ″Prince″Genevieve KatherineEissa Al Mana
Jared EscoTaylor Aurora ScoNoah LaniakSophia Laniak

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">La Toya Jackson</span> American singer (born 1956)

La Toya Yvonne Jackson is an American singer and television personality. The fifth child and middle daughter of the Jackson family, Jackson first gained recognition on the family's variety television series, The Jacksons, on CBS between 1976 and 1977. Thereafter, she saw success as a solo recording artist under multiple record labels in the 1980s and 1990s, including Polydor, Sony Music and RCA, where she released nine studio albums over the course of 15 years. Her most successful releases in the United States were her self-titled debut album (1980) and the 1984 single "Heart Don't Lie". Jackson's other songs include "If You Feel the Funk", "Bet'cha Gonna Need My Lovin'", "Hot Potato", "You're Gonna Get Rocked!", and "Sexbox". Another one of Jackson's songs, "Just Say No" from her fifth album was composed for US first lady Nancy Reagan and Reagan administration's anti-drug campaign.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackie Jackson</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1951)

Sigmund Esco "Jackie" Jackson is an American singer and songwriter best known as a founding member of the Jackson 5, for which he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Jackson is the second child of the Jackson family, and the oldest Jackson brother.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tito Jackson</span> American musician (1953–2024)

Toriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson was an American musician. He was a founding member of the Jackson 5, a group who rose to fame in the late 1960s and 1970s with the Motown label and had continued success on the Epic label in the late 1970s and 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jermaine Jackson</span> American singer and member of the Jackson 5 (born 1954)

Jermaine LaJuane Jackson is an American singer, songwriter and bassist. He is known for being a member of the Jackson family. From 1964 to 1975, Jermaine was second vocalist after his brother Michael of the Jackson 5, and played bass guitar. In 1983, he rejoined the group, which had been renamed the Jacksons; he then consistently played in the group's performances and recordings until he left the group again in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marlon Jackson</span> American singer and dancer (born 1957)

Marlon David Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, and dancer best known as a member of the Jackson 5. He is the sixth child of the Jackson family. Marlon now runs Study Peace Foundation to promote peace and unity worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rebbie Jackson</span> American singer (born 1950)

Maureen Reillette "Rebbie" Jackson-Brown is an American singer and the eldest child of the Jackson family of musicians. She first performed on stage with her siblings during shows in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in 1974, before subsequently appearing in the television series The Jacksons. At age 34, Jackson released her debut album Centipede (1984). The album featured songs written by Smokey Robinson, Prince, and Jackson's younger brother Michael, whose contribution became Rebbie's most successful single release. Jackson released two more albums in quick succession: Reaction (1986) and R U Tuff Enuff (1988).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randy Jackson (Jacksons singer)</span> American musician (born 1961)

Steven Randall Jackson is an American musician, singer, songwriter and dancer. He is the ninth child in the Jackson family. Randy is the youngest Jackson brother and the second-youngest Jackson sibling before his sister Janet. Randy is a former member of his family band The Jacksons, which he joined after his brother Jermaine left the group. He was nominated for a Grammy Award for his work on the 1980 studio album Triumph.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Jackson (talent manager)</span> Patriarch of the Jackson family (1928–2018)

Joseph Walter Jackson was an American talent manager and patriarch of the Jackson family of entertainers. He was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2014.

Katherine Esther Jackson is the matriarch of the Jackson family of entertainers that includes her children Michael and Janet Jackson.

<i>The Jacksons: An American Dream</i> 1992 film directed by Karen Arthur

The Jacksons: An American Dream is an American five-hour miniseries broadcast in two halves on ABC and originally broadcast on November 15 through November 18, 1992. It is based upon the history of the Jackson family, one of the most successful musical families in show business, and the early and successful years of the popular Motown group the Jackson 5.

<i>La Toya: Growing Up in the Jackson Family</i>

La Toya: Growing up in the Jackson Family is an autobiography written by American singer La Toya Jackson, and co-authored by celebrity biography author Patricia Romanowski. The book was originally released on February 7, 1991, around the same time as Jackson's seventh studio album No Relations.

<i>The Jacksons</i> (TV series) American variety show featuring the Jackson siblings

The Jacksons is an American variety show featuring the Jackson siblings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taj Jackson</span> American musician and producer (born 1973)

Tariano Adaryll "Taj" Jackson II is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and director. He is an original member of 3T along with his brothers Taryll Adren Jackson and Tito Joe ("TJ") Jackson. His career and solo work include a reality television series for which he was executive producer. His band 3T currently still tours, and he works as a spokesperson on behalf of the Jackson family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Jackson 5</span> American pop music family group

The Jackson 5, later known as the Jacksons, are an American pop band composed of members of the Jackson family. The group was formed in Gary, Indiana in 1964, and originally consisted of brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael. They were managed by their father Joe Jackson. The group were among the first African American performers to attain a crossover following.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2300 Jackson Street (song)</span> 1989 single by The Jacksons

"2300 Jackson Street" is a 1989 single released by the Jacksons from their album of the same name. It is the only song on the album featuring Michael and Marlon Jackson, as they had left the group before further recording sessions. The song also features two of the Jackson sisters: Rebbie and Janet. "2300 Jackson Street" is about the Jackson family's childhood home on 2300 Jackson Street in Gary, Indiana.

The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty is an American reality television series starring members of the musical Jackson family which aired on A&E. Prior to the debut of the series, the show had initially been filmed as a one-off hour-long special about The Jacksons, and their intention to release an album and begin a tour in celebration of the band's fortieth year in music. Following Michael's death in June 2009, more footage of the family was shot and it was commissioned as series.

Jackson family may refer to:

The Jackson Family Honors is a 1994 Jackson family reunion television special, starring Michael Jackson, tribute honorees Elizabeth Taylor and Berry Gordy, and celebrity guests performers. It was billed as a humanitarian event to raise money for charities. The musical benefit was filmed on February 19, 1994 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It was broadcast on February 22, 1994 on NBC.

Jaafar Jeremiah Jackson is an American singer, dancer, and actor. He is the son of Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Genevieve, and the nephew of Michael, Tito, Marlon, Jackie, Randy Rebbie, LaToya and Janet Jackson.

References

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  2. Moreover, as a unit, they were one of the few black groups to achieve "teen idol" status among music fans of all races, with hits such as I Want You Back , ABC , I'll Be There , Dancing Machine , Blame It on the Boogie , Heartbreak Hotel and Can You Feel It .Takiff, Johnathan (August 31, 1984). "Victory at Hand". Philadelphia Daily News . p. 49.
  3. When a brother and sister want to spend some time together it rarely requires a journey to a galaxy far, far away but if they're reigning members of the royal family of pop, and the meeting is a music video, it's got to be out of this world. The siblings in question are Michael and Janet Jackson and their first video collaboration, "Scream", is the space odyssey that earned a record 11 nominations at this year's MTV Video Music Awards, winning for Best Dance Video, Best Choreography, and Best Art Direction, the latter a nod to the talents of production designer Tom Foden. Boepple, Leanne (November 1995). "Video/production design: Scream". Theatre Crafts International. Vol. 29, no. 9. p. 52. ISSN   1063-9497.
  4. 1 2 Harper, Phillip Brian (Winter 1989). "Synesthesia, "Crossover," and Blacks in Popular Music". Social Text (23): 102–121. doi:10.2307/466423. JSTOR   466423.
  5. 1 2 "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – 2019 Inductees". rockhall.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2018. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
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  22. Wolcott, James (October 4, 2012). "Photos: Michael Jackson's Extended Family Tree: Who's Who?". Vanity Fair.
  23. "Michael Jackson's Kids: Inside Paris, Prince and Bigi's Lives Now 10 Years After His Death".
  24. "Michael Jackson's Nephew, Austin Brown, Performs at SXSW (Video)". The Hollywood Reporter . March 12, 2012.
  25. "Tito Jackson's Sons Describe Day Their Mother Died as 'a Nightmare': 'It's Like a Kid's Worst Memory'".
  26. Lowry, Brian (September 30, 2015). "TV Review: 'The Jacksons: Next Generation'". Variety. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  27. "Jaafar Jackson | Actor". IMDb. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  28. "Janet Jackson, 50, gives birth to a boy, Eissa al Mana". BBC News. January 3, 2017.

Further reading

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