The Jackson 5

The Jackson 5 (also written as The Jackson Five) were a globally popular American pop group of the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. The band comprised five brothers, including a very young Michael Jackson, and was responsible for a string of international hits. They are perhaps best remembered by Americans over a certain age for their many singing and dancing performances on television in the late 1960s and 1970s.

The original members were Marlon, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Michael, who went on to become the most famous of the Jacksons and an international superstar. They first signed with Berry Gordy at Motown and became one of its most successful acts. After moving to Epic Records, the group later reorganized as The Jacksons, sans Jermaine, who stayed with Motown, and with the addition of younger brother Randy. Michael later launched a solo career, although he would join his brothers for special appearances. Two sisters, La Toya and especially Janet also had successful solo careers, but were never permanent members of their brothers’ band.

The Jacksons were notable not only for their extraordinary popularity, but for their personal ‘up from poverty’ story, and for being an avowedly religious family. Later allegations of sexual misconduct and unhealthy racial self-perception would taint their image.

The Jacksons were successful crossover artists both in terms of singing in different musical genres and for appealing to different segments of the community, specifically, a black teen idol group who were equally popular with Caucasian teens. The Jacksons hosted a network television variety show and were portrayed in a fictionalised animated series.

Jackson 5 hits

• ABC
• The Love you Save
• Never Can Say Goodbye
• I’ll Be There
• Going Back to Indiana
• I Want you Back
• Got to be There
• Mama’s Pearl
• Dancing Machine
• Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground) (as The Jacksons)