The Jackson Family

***The Jackson family*** is an American family of singers who originated in Gary, Indiana. Performing as members of The Jackson 5 and as solo artists, the children of Joseph Walter and Katherine Esther Jackson were very successful in the field of popular music from the late 1960s onwards. As a group, the eldest sons Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Randy and Michael, made the family's reputation, facilitating the subsequent success of siblings Rebbie, La Toya, and Janet. The Jackson 5 became known as the "First Family of Soul"(a title first held by the Five Stairsteps). The continued success of Michael and Janet's careers as solo artists led the Jacksons to become known as the "Royal Family of Pop". All nine 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 France's SNEP for "Reggae Night", a song she co-wrote for Jimmy Cliff).

In recent years, certain members of the family have been honored for their work; in 1997 The Jackson 5 was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Michael would follow the group to the hall in 2001. The Jacksons, Michael and Janet all received stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1980, 1984 and 1990 respectively.

### Second Generation

Together, Joseph and Katherine Jackson had ten children. Their son Brandon (Marlon's twin) died at birth. The other nine grew up to become professional musicians.

* Maureen Reillette "Rebbie" Jackson
* Jackie Jackson
* Tito Jackson, born October 15, 1953
* Jermaine Jackson, born December 11, 1954
* LaToya Yvonne Jackson, born May 29, 1956
* Marlon Jackson, born March 12, 1957
* Brandon Jackson, born and died March 12, 1957
* Michael Jackson, born August 29, 1958 – died June 25, 2009
* Randy Jackson, born October 18, 1961

* Janet Damita Jo Jackson, born May 16, 1966
* Joh'Vonnie Jackson, born August 30, 1974, to Cheryl Terrell during her 25-year long affair with Joseph Jackson

### The Jacksons

***The Jackson 5***, or Jackson Five, currently known as The Jacksons, is a popular American family music group. Formed in 1964 under the name the Jackson Brothers, the founding members were elder brothers Jackie, Tito and Jermaine. Younger brothers Marlon and Michael would join soon after. They participated in talent shows and performed in clubs on the Chitlin' Circuit. They entered the professional music scene in 1967. Signing with Steeltown Records and releasing two singles with the Steeltown label. In 1969, the group left Steeltown Records and signed with Motown.

The Jackson 5 was one of the first groups of black American performers to attain a crossover following, preceded by the Supremes, the Four Tops and the Temptations. They were also the first group to debut with four consecutive number one hits on the Hot 100 with the songs I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save, and I'll Be There. Scoring 16 top forty singles on the Hot 100, after continuing with further hits such as "Never Can Say Goodbye" and "Dancing Machine", most of the group with the exception of Jermaine, left Motown for Epic Records in 1975. At that time, with brother Randy taking Jermaine's place, they released five albums between 1976 and 1981, including the hit albums, Destiny (1978) and Triumph (1980), and the hit singles, "Enjoy Yourself", "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" and "Can You Feel It". In 1983, Jermaine reunited with the band to perform on Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever and subsequently released the Victory album the following year. After the end of their tour to promote the album, Michael and Marlon Jackson promptly left the group. The remaining four released the poorly received 2300 Jackson Street album in 1989 before being dropped from their label.

Inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999, the Jacksons reunited in 2001 on Michael's 30th anniversary television special. Following the death of Michael Jackson in 2009, the four eldest of the brothers embarked on their Unity Tour in 2012, and have several major performances planned for 2017.

* Jackie Jackson - backing and lead vocals (1962-1989, 2001, 2012–present)
	+ born May 4, 1951
* Tito Jackson - rhythm guitar, backing and lead vocals (1962-1989, 2001, 2012–present)
	+ born October 15, 1953
* Jermaine Jackson - lead and backing vocals, bass guitar (1962-1975, 1983-1989, 2001, 2012-present)
	+ born December 11, 1954
* Marlon Jackson - backing and lead vocals (1964-1985, 2001, 2012–present)
	+ born March 12, 1957
* Michael Jackson - lead and backing vocals (1964-1984, 2001)
	+ born August 29, 1958 – died June 25, 2009
* Randy Jackson - keyboards, percussion, backing and lead vocals (1975-1989, 2001)
	+ October 18, 1961

### "Rebbie" Jackson

***Maureen Reillette "Rebbie" Jackson***, born May 29, 1950, is the eldest of the Jackson children. Rebbie 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.

#### Selected Discography

Centipede (1984)

* Released October 10, 1984
* Reached #63 in the Billboard 200
* The album featured songs written by Smokey Robinson, Prince, and Jackson's younger brother Michael, whose contribution (the title track "Centipede") became Rebbie's most successful single release, reaching #24 in the Billboard Top 100.

### "Jackie" Jackson

***Sigmund Esco "Jackie" Jackson***, born May 4, 1951, is an American singer and musician. Jackson is best known for being a member of The Jackson 5. Jackson is the second child of the Jackson family and the oldest Jackson brother.

#### Discography

Jackie Jackson (1973)

* Released October 14, 1973

Be the One (1989)

* Released September 9, 1989

### "Tito" Jackson

***Toriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson***, born October 15, 1953, is an American singer–songwriter and guitarist. Jackson was an original member of The Jackson 5 and The Jacksons, who rose to fame in the late–1960s and 1970s with the Motown label, and later recorded as a solo artist on the Epic label in the late–1970s and 1980s. Jackson is the third child in the Jackson family.

### Jermaine Jackson

***Jermaine La Jaune Jackson,*** born December 11, 1954, is an American singer, bass guitarist, composer, and occasional film director. Jackson is mostly known for having in the past been a member of The Jackson 5. Jackson also produced and recorded duets with American singer Whitney Houston in her early years as a recording artist and was a producer for Bobby DeBarge's band Switch. Jackson is the fourth child of the Jackson family.

#### Selected Discography

Let's Get Serious (1980)

* Released March 17, 1980
* Reached #6 in the Billboard 200
* This is the most successful album of Jermaine's career, and featured Motown legend Stevie Wonder, playing drums, keyboards, and guitar on the album
* The title track reached #9 in the Billboard Top 100

Jermaine Jackson/Dynamite (1984)

* Released April 14, 1984
* Reached #19 in the Billboard 200, achieving a Gold certification, and #57 in the UK albums chart
* The album features Whitney Houston and his brothers Michael, Tito and Randy.
* "Dynamite" made it to #15 on the Billboard Top 100
* "Do What You Do" reached #20 on the Billboard Top 100, and achieved Silver certification in the UK