The Jackson 5 - One of the first boy bands, the Jackson 5 consisted of brothers from Gary, Indiana: Jackie (born Sigmund), Tito (born Toriano), Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael Jackson. Though their youth and energetic sound made them seem like “bubblegum pop,” the boys played instruments, had vocal talent and practiced choreography. Their father, Joe Jackson, a steel worker, saw talent in his sons when he caught them playing with his old guitar. Before settling on the name “Jackson 5,” they tried other names like “Ripples & Waves Plus Michael” and “The Jackson Brothers.” On October 7, 1969, their first single “I Want You Back” was released and immediately went to number one on Pop and R&B charts.
In 1980, the group received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. “ABC” and “I Want You Back” were listed on Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2004 “500 Songs that Shaped Rock & Roll,” and the latter was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame.
In 2001, the Jackson 5 gathered at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York for their thirtieth anniversary to celebrate solo and group successes. On September 8, 2008, they were honored as BMI icons at the annual Broadcast Music Inc. Urban Awards. Tragically, on June 25, 2009, while the brothers were reunited for The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty, which debuted in December, Michael passed away. The surviving Jacksons recorded for the song “This is It,” named after Michael’s cancelled tour and played in the documentary-concert film released posthumously. The band has never officially broken up, and the brothers, except for Randy, went on The Unity Tour from June 2012 to July 2013.

Did You Know?

In 1966, they won a local competition with a cover of the Temptations’ “My Girl.” A year later, they won the amateur night talent show at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, this time catching the attention of singer Gladys Knight. With help from Knight, Bobby Taylor, and Diana Ross, Motown signed the group in 1968.