The Jackson 5 — this is a phenomenal success in pop music of the early 1970s, a family group that won the hearts of millions of fans in a short time.
Unknown performers from the small American town of Gary turned out to be so bright, lively, incendiary dancing to stylish melodies and singing beautifully that their fame spread quickly and far beyond the US.
The history of the creation of The Jackson 5
In the large Jackson family, children's pranks were mercilessly punished. Father, Joseph, was a stern and despotic man, he kept the children in "hedgehogs", but is it really possible to keep track of everyone if there are 9 of them? One of these pranks led to the creation of the family ensemble The Jackson 5.
In his youth, the father of the family was a musician, founder and direct member of The Falcons. True, after marriage, it was necessary to feed the family, and playing the guitar did not generate income, so it turned into a simple hobby. Children were not allowed to take the guitar.
One day, my father saw a broken string, and the belt in his hands was already ready to go through the naughty ones. But something stopped Joseph, and he decided to listen to his children play. What he saw was so impressive that his father thought about creating a family musical group. And it was his most successful business project.
The composition of the group and the beginning of a stellar career
Initially, The Jackson Brothers consisted of three Jacksons (Jermain, Jackie, Tito) and two musicians (guitarists Reynold Jones and Milford Hite). But a year later, the head of the family refused their services and introduced two more sons into the composition. The group was named The Jackson 5.
In 1966, the family band won a talent competition in Gary's hometown. And in 1967 - another one, but already in Harlem, in the famous Apollo Theater. At the end of the year, The Jackson 5 made their first studio recordings for the small label Steeltown Records in Gary. The Big Boy single became something of a local hit.
The family group performed funk-pop soul, imitating their idol James Brown. But the youngest did it best - Michael. The group has gained fans and among them are famous soul singers Diana Ross and Gladys Knight. On their recommendation, in 1969, the management of the record company Motown Records signed an official contract with The Jackson 5.
Just a few months later, the first single I Want You Back was released. It immediately became a hit and sold a huge circulation - 2 million copies in America, 4 million - abroad. In early 1970, this song topped the American charts.
The same fate awaited the next three songs - ABC, The Love You Save, I'll Be There. On the 1st position, these singles lasted five weeks, and according to the results of the year, The Jackson 5 became the most profitable musical business project in America.
The Jackson 5 from 1970-1975
The older the brothers got, the more danceable was the music they played. Dancing Machine - a dance disco hit, enjoyed significant success, and the whole world began to dance like robots. By the way, many dance moves were subsequently used by Michael Jackson in his solo albums.
In 1972, the Jackson 5 went on a big tour of America, then - for 12 days in Europe. And after the European concerts of the brothers there was a world tour. In 1973, tours took place in Japan and Australia, and in 1974 - a West African tour.
Then there was a concert in Las Vegas, thanks to which the band gained worldwide fame. The head of the Jackson family insisted on holding this concert, although everyone doubted the successful performance of the group. But Joseph's instinct did not disappoint - the musicians and their music were a huge success.
In 1975, the Jackson family ended their contract with Motown Records and moved to another label (Epic). And at the end of the litigation, she changed the name of the group to The Jacksons.
Bringing back the success...
By refusing a contract with Motown Records, Joseph Jackson saved his offspring from gradual oblivion. Having collected the "cream of popularity", the company's management stopped paying attention to the team, waving their hand at it. The producers believed that the former popularity of the Jacksons could not be returned, but the head of the family was sure of the opposite.
Of course, for some time the group was not easy. But in 1976, thanks to the Epic label, a new album by The Jacksons was released. Like the rest of the collections, he also enjoyed great popularity. One of the best was the album Triumph, which was released in 1980.
In 1984, Michael left the band to pursue a solo career. And soon another of the brothers, Marlon, left the group. The quintet turned into a quartet, and the last record recorded by the brothers was released in 1989. The Jackson 1997 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 5.
And only in 2001, the brothers performed together at a concert dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Michael's solo career.
The Jackson 5 now
The group continues to exist even now, although the Jacksons perform very rarely. Marlon, Tito, Jermaine and Jackie remained in the team. And the clips that the brothers periodically post on their Instagram account remind of past successes.
