The Jacksons are unquestionably at the top of any ranking of outstanding families in the history of entertainment. Michael Jackson was one of the world’s greatest entertainers from the time the Jackson 5 debuted on Motown until his passing, and he has caught the interest and imagination of millions of people in both life and death. While he is unquestionably the family’s most famous member, his sister Janet is one of the greatest pop artists of her generation, and his brothers, also demonstrate that genius runs deep in this family.
The family is not only one of the most successful in music history, with some of the most iconic music and dances ever created, but they are also one of the most talked about.
Joe and Katherine
Katherine Jackson is the Jackson family’s matriarch, and she is perhaps the only member of the family who has never been involved in a scandal. Katherine is held up as an angelic figure in the family, in contrast to her husband Joe, who is well-known for his aggressive tendencies. Joe and Katherine met in East Chicago, Indiana, where Joe was boxing.
After marrying in 1949 nearly after a year of dating and having their first child, Rebbie, in 1950, Joe concentrated on his career at Inland Steel, where he operated the crane, and took a second job at American Foundries.
Katherine’s Upbringing
Katherine Jackson grew up in a difficult environment. Katherine, born Kattie B. Screws in Alabama in 1930, contracted polio at the age of two. She was left with a limp for the rest of her life as a consequence.
She and her family moved up north when she was four years old, settling in Indiana, where she met her husband and had her life significantly changed. Katherine had a reputation for being a neat freak, and it is easy to believe that having polio made her more cautious of her children when it came to germs, let alone everything else.
The Other Woman
Katherine was a devoted wife who was always faithful to her husband. Joe, on the other hand, lacked the same devotion. He was loyal to his family in the sense that he wanted them to thrive, but he had a wandering eye. Katherine kept quiet about it until Jackson had a child outside of his marriage.
This was with Cheryle Terrell, a woman with whom he had a 25-year romance. Joh’Vonnie was their daughter’s name, and he bought a house for his mistress and daughter slightly under five miles from where he and his wife and their ten children lived.
Raw Talent
Joe did not make the choice to put his sons in a musical ensemble on the spur of the moment. When he witnessed Tito, the second-oldest of the boys, play guitar, it was a turning point for him. Joe even purchased Tito his own guitar, and when he heard how beautifully Jackie and Jermaine could sing, he felt they should form a band.
Soon after, Marlon and Michael Jackson joined the group, and the Jackson Brothers were renamed the Jackson 5. Michael’s singing and dancing exhibited such great raw talent that everyone who saw them knew he was a star.
Sibling Rivalry
Rivalries exist in any music group, and when the group is made up of family members, the rivalries are going to be even more intense. The largest competition among the Jacksons was between Michael and Jermaine, who aspired to achieve the same level of success as his younger brother but was never able to do so.
He was the group’s most famous face and voice after Michael, and he was also the most ambitious of Michael’s brothers, and while he was obviously proud of Michael, he was also jealous of him. The jealousy only grew with Michael’s recognition and fame.
The Other Members
The Jackson 5 were Michael, Jermaine, Jackie, Marlon, and Tito, with Randy filling in for Jermaine after they departed Motown. However, before this stable official line up, in the early days there were other members before they achieved incomparable fame.
It was just Tito, Jermaine, and Jackie in the beginning, with Michael filling in on the bongos and two kids named Reynaud Jones and Milford Hite on the keyboards and drums, who were friends of the Jackson brothers. Hite and Jones were soon to be replaced, and their new backup band members were Johnny Jackson (no related) and Ronnie Rancifer.
Making It Big at Motown
The Jackson 5 had earned a reputation performing in talent events, led by Michael’s incredible ability as a performer. In 1967, they performed at both the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem and the Regal Theater in Chicago. This early success was only a foretaste of what was to come, and they got their big break when they signed with Motown.
The Jackson 5 became an instant sensation with a succession of fantastic singles one after the other. They had five number one singles in their first year, and they sold ten million records in ten months, smashing the previous record.
Diana Ross or Gladys Knight?
Diana Ross, the leader of Motown’s biggest act, The Supremes, was known as the “Princess of Motown.” When it came time to introduce the Jackson 5, it was determined that she would do so on television, and their debut album was even titled Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5.
According to the account, Ross had discovered the group, but it was not true, it was Gladys Knight who may be best credited with the Jackson 5’s “discovery,” if it can be attributed to a single person. She saw them perform and demanded that they go to Motown for an audition.
The Jacksons at Epic Records
Many people are familiar with the Jackson 5 songs as well as Michael’s solo singles, but few are aware of the tremendous work Michael and his siblings, excluding Jermaine, accomplished as The Jacksons. They went to Epic Records after leaving Motown, which was owned by Columbia/CBS when they joined and afterwards by Sony.
Their first two albums, The Jacksons and Goin’ Places, were recorded in Philadelphia with songwriting and production combo Gamble and Huff, but it was on the Destiny album, released in 1978, that they really came into their own, writing and producing the majority of it themselves.
The Kid is Not My Son
Many women have claimed that Michael fathered their children, and he even created a song called “Billie Jean” about it, albeit he maintained he was inspired by claims made about his older siblings. Musician Brandon Howard has claimed that Michael is his biological father, despite the fact that this is unlikely to be true.
Brandon’s mother, Miki Howard, was a singer who was once handled by Joe Jackson. She was undoubtedly in the Jackson family’s sphere, which leads to the second theory: that Brandon’s biological father is Joe Jackson. However, one of Michael’s former backing singers, Augie Johnson, claimed paternity.
Blanket’s Name
Most people are unaware of the origins of Michael Jackson’s youngest child’s nickname. Blanket’s real name is Prince Michael Jackson II, but his moniker comes from a heartwarming story. In an interview, Michael explained that his third child’s nickname arose from the idea of utilizing the term “blanket” as a verb, as in “to blanket a person with affection.”
Blanket was given the nickname when he was a small child, but he now wants to be called Bigi. He acquired a $2.6 million mansion in California at 18 years old in 2020, just before the Covid pandemic broke out.
Finding Their Way in the World
The eldest of the Jackson siblings, Prince Jackson keeps a considerably lower profile than his sister, Paris, who has had troubled teenage years. She struggled with mental illness and substance abuse.
Prince Michael graduated with honors from Loyola Marymount University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2019. He has exhibited an interest in filmmaking since he was a child, so we’ll see which path he takes. He is actively involved with his LA-based charity, Heal Los Angeles, as of 2020, and is determined to continue the spirit of giving instilled in him as a child by his father.
Michael Wanted to Be a Superhero
Michael aspired to be Spider-Man in a film and was willing to go to any length to achieve his goal. It got to the point where he tried to purchase Marvel Comics! It was natural for him to be interested in the company because he was a big admirer of comic books. It made sense at the time, as strange as it may sound today.
This was in the ’90s before Marvel movies took over Hollywood, and Michael was at the peak of his career. He had hoped to collaborate on the project with Stan Lee, but it never materialized.
He Also Wanted to Perform on a Disney Movie
Michael aspired to be much more than a comic book superhero; he was also a huge Disney fan. Disney disclosed in the year 2021, as part of the 25th anniversary celebration of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, that Michael Jackson almost contributed a song to the film.
Michael, a die-hard Disney fan, met with Alan Menken, who composed the film’s score. “I was able to acquire a sense of Michael’s personality.” Menken described the meeting as “a very distinctive, interesting man… in his own world.” Michael’s participation was eventually rejected by Disney due to reports of inappropriate behavior with children.
Michael’s Hidden Talent
Michael Jackson’s greatness stems from the fact that he was the ultimate entertainer. As a singer and dancer, he was unrivaled, and his contributions to the art of music videos and even design were simply groundbreaking. It turns out that his abilities extended beyond what he presented to audiences, as he was also a fantastic chef.
Jackson’s skill to create superb fried chicken comes as no surprise, given that he was known to love the dish. His daughter Paris said that “His fried chicken is the best in the world. He even taught me how to make sweet potato pie.”
Michael and Liz Taylor
Michael Jackson struggled to locate people who could relate to him as one of the world’s most renowned persons. As a result, many of his close friends were people with a comparable level of celebrity to him. Elizabeth Taylor, the legendary actress who helped Jackson through many difficult times, remained a faithful friend till the end, and was even chosen to be the godmother to his children.
When Taylor presented Jackson with the Soul Train Heritage Award in 1989, she described him as the “true king of pop, rock, and soul.” It was a highly publicized friendship by the media.
Family Business
Michael’s relationships with his family members had their ups and downs. Many of Michael’s relatives viewed him as a credit card. They would often come to him for money, and it’s no surprise that the sibling he was closest to was Janet, who had made a lot of money on her own and didn’t need her brother for money or to boost her status.
Michael had given in to his family members on numerous occasions, giving them money and partnering with them, but there came a moment when he no longer answered yes to their requests, causing some family rifts.
The Jacksons Disbanding and Reuniting
With Michael’s solo success exploding during the 1980s, The Jacksons’ future as a group was looking bleak. The Victory album was Michael’s final record, bringing Jermaine back to the group and bringing all of the brothers together, but it was not a genuine group album. The Jacksons effectively disbanded after that.
Michael’s five brothers briefly reunited in 2001 for two of Michael’s 30th anniversary gigs at Madison Square Garden, but that was the last time they ever performed together. The Jacksons went on tour for the first time since 1984 after Michael’s death, embarking on the
Unity Tour in 2012.
Katherine’s Role as Defender of the Family
Katherine Jackson has fulfilled her role as the family matriarch by preserving her family’s honor in the face of controversies, challenges, and tribulations. Throughout the years, the family has been hounded by rumors and accusations, and Katherine has always been there to deflect the criticism.
She has essentially been the Jackson family’s PR person, whether it was accusations made against Michael or claims that she and Joe were estranged and that Joe was not permitted to visit the family’s house, which she categorically rejected. Michael’s affection for her contrasted sharply with the grief he expressed when speaking of his father.
The Pepsi Incident
Michael became Pepsi’s celebrity mascot in the 1980s, breaking records for the largest endorsement contract ever negotiated. He became the brand’s face, helping it gain market share against Coca-Cola. But in 1984, he and his brothers were filming a commercial for them, and during the recording, his hair caught fire owing to pyrotechnics.
It was promptly extinguished, but it had already caused second-degree burns on his scalp, necessitating surgery to remove the scarring. Due to the pain, he began to consume painkillers and ended up abusing them. He was later forced to enter rehab in 1993, canceling his world tour.
Conspiracy Theories Behind Michael’s Passing
Fans, family members, and tabloids speculated on a conspiracy behind his passing. Michael’s sister La Toya stated that Michael “was murdered for his music catalog,” referring to Michael’s 50% ownership of Sony/ATV music publishing, which was worth millions of dollars and included the Beatles catalog.
La Toya is a famously unreliable source, but similar sentiments were felt by many, and his daughter Paris said in 2017 that she’s sure he was murdered. Despite the conspiracies flying around, there has yet to be evidence to lend credence to these theories. His autopsy report stated he passed away from substance abuse.
The Lawsuit Against AEG
Michael was working on This Is It, a series of comeback concerts that he was just weeks away from performing when he passed away. The resulting rehearsals were turned into a documentary video, demonstrating that, despite his lack of power and agility when he was younger and healthier, Michael could still create magic.
However, the family filed a lawsuit against concert promoter AEG Live, stating that AEG knew he wasn’t fit enough to perform but went forward with the gigs nonetheless. Internal papers revealed there was some truth to this, but the jury found AEG not culpable in Michael’s death.
Michael’s Will
Michael Jackson’s will didn’t sit well with everyone in the family. It put money in a trust fund for his children and mother, but the rest of the family was shut out. Joe Jackson was particularly displeased that, while Michael Jackson had given a sizable sum of money to charity, he had left nothing for his father.
Joe even filed a petition for $15,000 a month in support, but he was denied the money. For many members of the family who had relied on their brother for financial support over the years, being excluded from the will was difficult.
Janet Jackson’s Dreams as a Child
In the Jackson household, the lads were pushed into being entertainers by their father, and they never had a choice. Janet was the family’s youngest member, and she practically grew up performing with her brothers. She went into acting, but despite her popularity, she had no intention of becoming a musician.
Janet had ambitions to work as an entertainment lawyer or as a horse racing jockey. In retrospect, both jobs seem like unusual choices for a child star. After trying her luck at the recording studio, she got signed to A&M as a 16-year-old, there was no turning back.
Janet Kept Her Marriages Secret
Janet Jackson married James DeBarge in 1984. It came as a huge shock to everyone, including her family and the record label, because she was still a teenager. Janet’s hasty marriage, which was annulled the following year, was just a taste of the secrecy she would bring to her relationships in the future.
Rene Elizondo Jr. became her second husband in 1991, but she kept it a secret for over a decade. Elizondo was a dancer and he directed some of Janet’s videos, serving both as a creative partner and as a business counselor to her. They divorced in 2000.
Janet’s History Changing Moment
Janet Jackson made a prolific career out of creating interesting and forward-thinking pop music and performing jaw-dropping dance routines. However, she is unfortunately best remembered by younger audiences for a wardrobe malfunction at the Super Bowl halftime show in 2004, when Justin Timberlake accidentally exposed her on live television.
It was not her fault, but it did come to characterize her career quite negatively. In an ideal scenario, the world would have recognized this as an accident and moved on, but it became one of the year’s most talked-about pop culture events, demonstrating the rampant immaturity of our media atmosphere.
The Ups and Downs of Janet’s Career
Janet Jackson set numerous records, the most notable of which was when she launched the Rhythm Nation album and became the first and only artist to have singles from the same album reach number one in three consecutive years. It was also the only album in history to have seven singles chart in the top five.
Janet was on top of the world until the Super Bowl episode, after which she went into a commercial slump, and she was shunned by many in the industry. Her 2015 comeback album Unbreakable did very well and was a welcome return to form.
Marlon’s Personal Ventures
While Michael and Janet had successful careers, the remainder of the Jackson family was always defined by their Jackson family status, despite their best efforts. Though he was known for his dance skills, as well as his abilities as a drummer when he was a kid, Marlon Jackson never had the same strong identity as his brothers.
Marlon had an entrepreneurial streak, so instead of pursuing his music career, he decided to pursue a career in real estate. He was also a co-founder and part-owner of the Black Family Channel, which began broadcasting in 1999 and was sold in 2007.
Marlon’s Brotherly Love
Michael, Jermaine, Jackie, Marlon, Tito, and Randy are well-known, but few are aware that there was another Jackson brother who died before reaching adulthood. Brandon Jackson was Marlon’s twin and died when he was only a day old. They were the sixth and seventh children, respectively, born in 1957.
Michael, who was born in 1958, was the next child, and he and Marlon became close, with Michael stepping in for Marlon’s lost twin brother.
At his memorial service, Marlon conveyed his affection for his younger brother Michael, telling him, “Give our brother, my twin brother Brandon, a hug from me.”
Farewell to Joe Jackson
Joe Jackson is one of pop music’s most complicated figures. While the violence he perpetrated on his children was horrific, his irreplaceable contributions to one of the greatest musical families of all time earned him a place in history.
He earned a bad rap from the public, but as his family pointed out, he protected them from the problems that plagued many people who grew up in the same time and place as the Jackson brothers. The patriarch died on June 27, 2018, one year before his own 90th birthday and two days after the nine-year anniversary of Michael’s death.
Marriages and Divorces
Couples who stick together through thick and thin are uncommon in Hollywood. Michael was married to Lisa Marie Presley and Debbie Rowe, but ended up in divorce..Janet Jackson’s marriages to James DeBarge, Rene Elizondo Jr., and Wissam Al Mana, all ended in divorce. Jermaine’s marriages to Hazel Gordy, Alejandra Oaziaza, and Halima Rashid all ended in divorce. La Toya, Randy, and Tito each had one marriage and one divorce.
Marlon and Rebbie were almost exceptions to the rule. They got married to their sweethearts at 18 and remained married for decades. Unfortunately, they too ended up divorcing their spouses.