Jackie Jackson Biography

Musician. Born Sigmund Esco Jackson, better known as Jackie Jackson. Jackie was a member of the group Jackson 5 with his four siblings Michael, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon Jackson. Jackson was born May 4th, 1951, in Gary, Indiana, to Joseph and Katherine Jackson.

As the second oldest of nine children, the oldest male, and original frontman of the Jackson singing group The Jackson Brothers, Jackie Jackson was seen as a leader of the children on and off the stage. Jackson began practicing with his father's guitar at an early age and included his four brothers in his practice, all of whom would go on to form the Jackson 5.

At age 12, the newly formed Jackson 5 won a talent contest singing the Temptations hit song "My Girl." The group made their professional debut in a nightclub in Indiana. The owner of the nightclub, Keith Gordon, decided to give the Jackson 5 a chance to record in his studio.

Jackie Jackson and his group signed onto Motown Records in 1969, and began achieving immediate success with their first No. 1 single "I Want You Back," which sold more than two million copies in 1969. Subsequent singles such as "ABC," "The Love You Save" and "I'll Be There" also hit the top of the charts, making the Jackson 5 one of the most popular names in music.

Jackie Jackson was the first of the Jackson 5 to record a solo album. His self-titled Jackie Jackson (1973), however, failed to reach the same level of commercial or critical success that his group efforts had.

In 1976, Jackie Jackson and the Jackson 5 moved to CBS and Epic Records, changed their name to The Jacksons and added their brother Randy to the group roster. The Jacksons released the Victory album in 1984, followed by their wildly successful Victory World Tour. The tour would be the last time all the members of the original Jackson 5 would perform together. Shortly after, Michael left The Jacksons to pursue his solo career, and the other brothers eventually drifted apart to take on solo projects. The Jacksons reunited for their final album, 2300 Jackson Street in 1989. That same year, Jackie released his second solo album, Be The One. It achieved more commercial success than his first solo album.

In 1997, along with the rest of his brothers, Jackie Jackson was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He currently works as the CEO of Futurist Entertainment, Inc. and its JESCO Records division.

Jackie Jackson married Enid Spann in 1974 at the age of 23. Before their divorce in 1987, the couple had two children together: daughter, Brandi, and son, Sigmund. Jackie currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

© 2009 A&E Television Networks. All rights reserved.