The Jacksons (musical family)
Encyclopedia
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
influenced and shaped the sound of popular music
. As a group, the eldest sons Jackie (Sigmund Esco "Jackie" Jackson)
, Tito (Toriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson )
, Jermaine (Jermaine La Jaune Jackson)
, Marlon (Marlon David Jackson)
, and Michael (Michael Joseph Jackson)
, set the family on a path of musical success that spread among siblings Rebbie
, La Toya
, Randy, and Janet
. The acclaim of The Jackson 5 led the group to become 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". Eight of the nine Jackson siblings (excluding La Toya) have gold records to their credits.
Members of the Jackson family have been the subject of heavily publicized controversies and legal imbroglios, most notably allegations of child abuse against Michael in 1993
, his criminal trial in 2005
, and Janet's controversial Super Bowl halftime performance in 2004
. Some Jackson siblings have, at various times, publicly criticized one another and alleged abuse at the hands of their father. In spite of these circumstances and other troubles, the Jacksons have continued to be praised for shaping the world of entertainment with some of the siblings' own children taking the spotlight in various careers.
In recent years, certain members of the family have been honored for their work; in 1997 The Jackson 5
were inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
. Michael would follow the group to the hall in 2001. In 2002, Joseph was acknowledged as "the best musical manager of all time" by the Hall in Cleveland
. The Jacksons, Michael and Janet all received stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
in 1980, 1984 and 1990 respectively. In 2009 a new series from A&E
entitled The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty
premiered documenting the Jackson brothers dealing with the supposed loss of Michael and Preparing for a Jackson 5 Reunion tour.
. the eldest of four to Samuel Jackson and Crystal Lee King. When Joe was twelve, his parents split up and Joe and his father, Samuel Jackson, moved to Oakland
. After graduating from high school, Joe left California and moved to East Chicago, Indiana
to take care of his mother. It was there that he met Katherine Scruse
(born May 4, 1930), an Alabama
native who was raised in East Chicago from age four. Katherine's family came from Alabama and are descended of African slaves and Cherokee
Indians. The couple married on November 5, 1949 and moved into a two-room house of 2300 Jackson St. (near Roosevelt Park) in Gary, Indiana
. During his early years in Gary, Joe formed a rhythm and blues band called The Falcons. His performance career lasted a brief two years. Joe then took up work as a crane operator for the U.S. Steel Company, before eventually managing his sons' careers.
Gary, Indiana
Gary is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The city is in the southeastern portion of the Chicago metropolitan area and is 25 miles from downtown Chicago. The population is 80,294 at the 2010 census, making it the seventh-largest city in the state. It borders Lake Michigan and is known...
. Performing as members of The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5 , later known as The Jacksons, were an American popular music family group from Gary, Indiana...
and as solo artists, the children of Joseph Walter and Katherine Esther Jackson
Katherine Jackson
Katherine Esther Jackson is the matriarch of the Jackson musical family.-Early life:...
influenced and shaped the sound of popular music
Popular music
Popular music belongs to any of a number of musical genres "having wide appeal" and is typically distributed to large audiences through the music industry. It stands in contrast to both art music and traditional music, which are typically disseminated academically or orally to smaller, local...
. As a group, the eldest sons Jackie (Sigmund Esco "Jackie" Jackson)
Jackie Jackson
Sigmund Esco "Jackie" Jackson is an American singer and musician, a member of The Jackson 5, and the second child in the Jackson family.-Life and career:...
, Tito (Toriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson )
Tito Jackson
Toriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson is an American singer and lead guitarist and original member of The Jackson 5. He is the older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.-Early life and rise to stardom:...
, Jermaine (Jermaine La Jaune Jackson)
Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine La Jaune Jackson is an American singer, bassist, composer, a member of The Jackson 5, older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson and occasional film director...
, Marlon (Marlon David Jackson)
Marlon Jackson
Marlon David Jackson is an American entertainer singer, dancer, former member of The Jackson 5, and elder brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.-Personal life:...
, and Michael (Michael Joseph Jackson)
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, set the family on a path of musical success that spread among siblings Rebbie
Rebbie Jackson
Maureen Reillette "Rebbie" Brown is an American singer professionally known as Rebbie Jackson . Born and raised in Gary, Indiana, she is the eldest child of the Jackson family of musicians...
, La Toya
La Toya Jackson
La Toya Yvonne Jackson is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, television personality, actress, businesswoman, philanthropist, activist and former model. She is the fifth child of the Jackson family...
, Randy, and Janet
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
. The acclaim of The Jackson 5 led the group to become 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". Eight of the nine Jackson siblings (excluding La Toya) have gold records to their credits.
Members of the Jackson family have been the subject of heavily publicized controversies and legal imbroglios, most notably allegations of child abuse against Michael in 1993
1993 child sexual abuse accusations against Michael Jackson
In 1993, Evan Chandler accused Michael Jackson of sexually abusing his thirteen-year-old son, Jordan. The relationship between Jackson and Jordan began in May 1992. Evan initially welcomed and encouraged the friendship, and bragged about his connection to a celebrity. The friendship became well...
, his criminal trial in 2005
People v. Jackson
People vs. Jackson was a 2005 trial involving recording artist Michael Jackson. The accuser was a boy, Gavin Arvizo, who was 13 years old at the time of the alleged crimes...
, and Janet's controversial Super Bowl halftime performance in 2004
Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy
Super Bowl XXXVIII, which was broadcast live on February 1, 2004 from Houston, Texas on the CBS television network in the United States, was noted for a controversial halftime show in which Janet Jackson's breast, adorned with a nipple shield, was exposed by Justin Timberlake for about half a...
. Some Jackson siblings have, at various times, publicly criticized one another and alleged abuse at the hands of their father. In spite of these circumstances and other troubles, the Jacksons have continued to be praised for shaping the world of entertainment with some of the siblings' own children taking the spotlight in various careers.
In recent years, certain members of the family have been honored for their work; in 1997 The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5 , later known as The Jacksons, were an American popular music family group from Gary, Indiana...
were inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
. Michael would follow the group to the hall in 2001. In 2002, Joseph was acknowledged as "the best musical manager of all time" by the Hall in Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
. The Jacksons, Michael and Janet all received stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California...
in 1980, 1984 and 1990 respectively. In 2009 a new series from A&E
A&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
entitled The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty
The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty
The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty is an American reality television program which stars members of the musical Jackson family and airs on A&E Network...
premiered documenting the Jackson brothers dealing with the supposed loss of Michael and Preparing for a Jackson 5 Reunion tour.
First generation
Joseph Walter Jackson was born on July 26, 1928 in Fountain Hill, ArkansasFountain Hill, Arkansas
Fountain Hill is a town in Ashley County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 159 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Fountain Hill is located at ....
. the eldest of four to Samuel Jackson and Crystal Lee King. When Joe was twelve, his parents split up and Joe and his father, Samuel Jackson, moved to Oakland
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
. After graduating from high school, Joe left California and moved to East Chicago, Indiana
East Chicago, Indiana
East Chicago is a city in Lake County, Indiana. The population was 29,698 at the 2010 census.-Geography:East Chicago is located at ....
to take care of his mother. It was there that he met Katherine Scruse
Katherine Jackson
Katherine Esther Jackson is the matriarch of the Jackson musical family.-Early life:...
(born May 4, 1930), an Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
native who was raised in East Chicago from age four. Katherine's family came from Alabama and are descended of African slaves and Cherokee
Cherokee
The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States . Linguistically, they are part of the Iroquoian language family...
Indians. The couple married on November 5, 1949 and moved into a two-room house of 2300 Jackson St. (near Roosevelt Park) in Gary, Indiana
Gary, Indiana
Gary is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The city is in the southeastern portion of the Chicago metropolitan area and is 25 miles from downtown Chicago. The population is 80,294 at the 2010 census, making it the seventh-largest city in the state. It borders Lake Michigan and is known...
. During his early years in Gary, Joe formed a rhythm and blues band called The Falcons. His performance career lasted a brief two years. Joe then took up work as a crane operator for the U.S. Steel Company, before eventually managing his sons' careers.
Second generation
Together, Joseph and Katherine Jackson had ten children. Son Brandon died at birth. The other nine grew up to become professional musicians.- Maureen Reillette "Rebbie" JacksonRebbie JacksonMaureen Reillette "Rebbie" Brown is an American singer professionally known as Rebbie Jackson . Born and raised in Gary, Indiana, she is the eldest child of the Jackson family of musicians...
(born May 29, 1950) - Sigmund Esco "Jackie" JacksonJackie JacksonSigmund Esco "Jackie" Jackson is an American singer and musician, a member of The Jackson 5, and the second child in the Jackson family.-Life and career:...
(born May 4, 1951) - Toriano Adaryll "Tito" JacksonTito JacksonToriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson is an American singer and lead guitarist and original member of The Jackson 5. He is the older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.-Early life and rise to stardom:...
(born October 15, 1953) - Jermaine La Jaune JacksonJermaine JacksonJermaine La Jaune Jackson is an American singer, bassist, composer, a member of The Jackson 5, older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson and occasional film director...
(born December 11, 1954) - La Toya Yvonne JacksonLa Toya JacksonLa Toya Yvonne Jackson is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, television personality, actress, businesswoman, philanthropist, activist and former model. She is the fifth child of the Jackson family...
(born May 29, 1956) - Marlon David JacksonMarlon JacksonMarlon David Jackson is an American entertainer singer, dancer, former member of The Jackson 5, and elder brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.-Personal life:...
(born March 12, 1957) - Brandon Jackson (born March 12, 1957) – Died shortly after birth.
- Michael Joseph JacksonMichael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
(August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) - Steven Randall "Randy" Jackson (born October 29, 1961)
- Janet Damita Jo JacksonJanet JacksonJanet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
(born May 16, 1966)