Formed:

1962 (Gary, IN)

Genres:

Pop-soul, Pop, Motown, R&B, Funk

Members:

Michael Jackson (born August 29, 1958, Gary, IN; died June 25, 2009, Los Angeles, CA): lead vocals (tenor) (1968-1989)
Tito Jackson (born Toriano Jackson, October 15, 1953, Gary, IN): lead vocals (baritone), guitar (1962-1990)
Jermaine Jackson (born December 11, 1954, Gary, IN): lead vocals (tenor), bass (1962-1975; 1984-1990)
Jackie Jackson (born Sigmund Esco Jackson, May 4, 1951, Gary, IN): vocals (tenor), tambourine (1962-1990)
Marlon Jackson (born March 12, 1957, Gary, IN): vocals (baritone), tambourine (1963-1987)

Contributions to music:

• Introduced the world to the entertainment phenomenon that was Michael Jackson
• Created the template for the "boy band" groups that exist today
• Carried Motown into the Seventies years with an unbeatable formula
• Mixed soul and funk with bubblegum in their early years to create an irresistable blend
• One of the disco years' most creative self-contained artists
• One of the industry's hardest-working acts, especially on stage
• Helped spawn the solo careers of brother Jermaine and sister Janet

Early years:

It all started with a broken string -- specifically, a string on father Joe Jackson's guitar, which he'd instructed his six boys to leave alone. But when he realized that sons Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine were serious about music, he relented, forming a family band in their hometown of Gary, Indiana, which he managed. By 1967, they'd scored a local hit with a song called "Bad Boy." Bobby Taylor of the Vancouvers, a Motown act, helped them secure an audition with the label.

Success:

Realizing what he had on his hands, label head Berry Gordy spent more time on the group's initial single, "I Want You Back," than any other in the company's history. And it paid off: between 1970 and 1972, the group completely dominated pop music, with an unprecedented four Number One pop hits in a row. But as the Seventies moved on, funk and disco began to change popular tastes, and Gordy seemed to have no idea what to do with the group. Frustrated, the brothers jumped ship to Epic in 1975.

Later years:

The group entered a stylistic and commercial renaissance in the late Seventies thanks to that move, but the emerging superstardom of the now-adult lead, Michael, kept interfering. When Michael surpassed even his earlier successes with 1983's landmark Thriller album, the writing was on the wall for the group. Though they've reconfigured since, most recently in 1989, the deteriorating saga of Michael closed off any further opportunities for reunion. Michael died on June 25, 2009, from a cardiac arrest of unknown origin at his rented home in Los Angeles.

Other facts:

• Also included Randy Jackson (b. Steven Randall Jackson, October 29, 1961, Gary, IN): vocals (tenor), keyboards, percussion, bass (1975-1990)
• Earlier members of the group and the touring unit included: Milford Hite (1962-1967), drums; Reynaud Jones (1962-1967), lead guitar; Johnny Jackson (1967-1975); Ronnie Rancifer (1967-1975), keyboards
• Father Joe Jackson played with local R&B bands himself in the Fifties
• Contrary to the hype constructed by Berry Gordy, Diana Ross did not "discover" the group, but rather Gladys Knight

Awards/Honors:

• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1997)
• GRAMMY Hall of Fame (1999)
• Hollywood Walk of Fame (1979) (1500 Vine)(

Recorded work:

#1 hits:
Pop:

• "I Want You Back" (1969)
• "ABC" (1970)
• "I'll Be There" (1970)
• "The Love You Save" (1970)

R&B:

• "I Want You Back" (1969)
• "ABC" (1970)
• "I'll Be There" (1970)
• "The Love You Save" (1970)
• "Mama's Pearl" (1970)
• "Never Can Say Goodbye" (1971)
• "Dancing Machine" (1974)

Top 10 hits:
Pop:

• "Mama's Pearl" (1970)
• "Never Can Say Goodbye" (1971)
• "Sugar Daddy" (1971)
• "Dancing Machine" (1974)
• "Enjoy Yourself" (1976)
• "Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)" (1979)
• "State of Shock" with Mick Jagger (1984)

R&B:

• "Maybe Tommorrow" (1971)
• "Sugar Daddy" (1971)
• "Little Bitty Pretty One" (1972)
• "Lookin' Through The Windows" (1972)
• "Hallelujah Day" (1973)
• "Get It Together" (1973)
• "Whatever You Got I Want" (1974)
• "I Am Love (Part 1)" (1974)
• "Forever Came Today" (1975)
• "Enjoy Yourself" (1976)
• "Show You the Way to Go" (1977)
• "Goin' Places" (1977)
• "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" (1979)
• "Lovely One" (1980)
• "Heartbreak Hotel" a/k/a "This Place Hotel"(1981)
• "State of Shock" with Mick Jagger (1984)
• "2300 Jackson Street" (1988)
• "Nothing That Compares to You" (1989)

#1 albums:
Pop:

• Christmas Album (1970)

R&B:

• Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 (1970)
• ABC (1970)
• Third Album (1970)
• Maybe Tomorrow (1971)
• Triumph (1980)

Top 10 albums:
Pop:

• Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 (1970)
• ABC (1970)
• Third Album (1970)
• Lookin' Through The Windows (1972)
• Triumph (1980)
• Victory (1984)

R&B:

• Goin' Back To Indiana (1971)
• Jackson 5 Greatest Hits (1971)
• Lookin' Through The Windows (1972)
• Get It Together (1973)
• Moving Violation (1975)
• The Jacksons (1977)
• Destiny (1979)
• Jacksons Live (1982)
• Victory (1984)

Other important recordings: "Who's Lovin' You," "One More Chance," "I Found That Girl," "Style Of Life," "Blame It On The Boogie," "Bless His Soul," "That's What You Get (For Being Polite," "Can You Feel It," "Destiny," "Time Waits For No One," "Torture"
Appears on: "You Haven't Done Nothin'", Stevie Wonder
Covered by: Mariah Carey, Melissa Manchester, Frente
Appears in the movies: "Save The Children" (1973)