The Jacksons

The Jacksons are an American group from Gary, United States, originally known as The Jackson 5. The line-up centres on members of the Jackson family and includes Jackie Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Tito Jackson, Michael Jackson, Randy Jackson, Milford Hite and Reynaud Jones. The group begins in 1966 and is associated with bubblegum pop, contemporary R&B, disco, funk, Motown and Philly soul.

Career

The group first performs as The Jackson 5, with brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael Jackson. Managed by their father Joe Jackson, they build an early reputation through talent shows and club dates on the Chitlin' Circuit. They sign to Steeltown Records in 1967 and release their first two singles there before moving to Motown Records in 1968.

At Motown, they become the first group to debut with four consecutive number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100: "I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save" and "I'll Be There". Over five years with the label, they achieve seventeen Top 40 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and six number-one hits on the Billboard R&B chart.

In early 1976 they leave Motown for Epic Records. Jermaine stays with Motown and Randy joins the group, which adopts the name the Jacksons. Under that name they release four studio albums and one live album between 1976 and 1981, including Destiny and Triumph. Singles from this period include "Enjoy Yourself", "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)", "This Place Hotel" and "Can You Feel It".

Members also pursue solo work, especially Michael Jackson, whose solo career achieves international prominence. Jermaine rejoins for the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever television special in 1983. The group then releases Victory in 1984 and tours extensively with material that includes songs from Michael's solo albums. After the Victory tour, Michael and Marlon leave the group.

The remaining four members release 2300 Jackson Street in 1989, after which they part ways with Epic Records. The Jacksons reunite for Michael's 30th Anniversary Celebration television special in 2001. Following Michael Jackson's death in 2009, the four eldest brothers tour as the Unity Tour in 2012.

Recognition

The Jacksons sell over 150 million records worldwide. In 1980, the brothers receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as the Jacksons. They are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. "ABC" and "I Want You Back" are included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll, and those songs, along with "I'll Be There", are inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Motown and CBS/Epic releases

As the Jackson 5, the group releases Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5, ABC, Third Album, Jackson 5 Christmas Album, Maybe Tomorrow, Lookin' Through the Windows, Skywriter, G.I.T.: Get It Together, Dancing Machine and Moving Violation. As the Jacksons, they release The Jacksons, Goin' Places, Destiny, Triumph, Victory and 2300 Jackson Street.