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Jermaine Jackson biography

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Jermaine Jackson was a member of the Jackson 5 music group and brother to Michael Jackson.

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Synopsis

Jermaine Jackson was born on December 11, 1954, in Gary, Indiana, the fourth of ten children. Initially he sang lead and played rhythm guitar in The Jackson 5, but switched to bass and back-up vocals. Jermaine split from the group when they went to CBS but re-joined in 1984 for a successful tour. Having mended a rift between himself and Michael, Jermaine spoke at his brother's 2009 memorial.

Jackson Childhood

Singer. Born Jermaine La Jaune Jackson on December 11, 1954, in Gary, Indiana, to parents Katherine and Joseph Jackson. The fourth of ten children, Jermaine and his family were very musical; Katherine was an asipiring pianist and singer, and Joseph briefly played guitar with his brother in their band, The Falcons. But while music was their passion, it didn't pay the bills. So Joseph supported his family with his job at U.S. Steel while Katherine stayed at home and raised the children.

While his father worked long hours as a crane operator, Jermaine and his brothers Tito and Jackie practiced their own songs, sometimes on their father's guitar. One night, after Tito accidentally broke a string on his father's instrument, the trio had to own up to their late night practicing. Joe, out of anger, made the boys demonstrate their musicianship. Impressed, he recognized the boys' potential and began encouraging them to perform as a group. Jermaine and his two older brothers began The Jackson Brothers in 1964. By the end of 1965, Jermaine's younger brothers Marlon and Michael had also joined, creating The Jackson 5.

Jackson 5

After Jermaine and the group won a talent contest held at brother Jackie's high school, The Jackson 5 began taking their performances more seriously. Jermaine moved from lead singer to back-up singer and bassist after several years as the rhythm guitarist and lead singer.


Jermaine and his brothers worked long hours and performed in several low-class nighclubs before securing a spot in the famous Amateur Night competition at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. The group won the contest, impressing Motown CEO Berry Gordy, who awarded the group a record contract in 1968. The group became wildly successful, and their first four hits went directly to No. 1 on the Billboard charts.


Going Solo

In 1972, while still with The Jackson 5, Jermaine began a solo career. A year later, he married Berry Gordy's daugther, Hazel, during this time. When The Jackson 5 left Motown for CBS records, Jermaine broke with the group and stayed loyal to Motown.

Jermaine's solo career throughout the late 70s and early 80s was fairly successful; his 1980 album Let's Get Serious was nominated for a Grammy Award, and songs such as "Daddy's Home," "Feel the Fire," and "Let's Get Serious" all hit at the top of Billboard's Hot 100. Despite his success with the company, Jermaine left Motown in 1983 for Arista Records, where he scored hits such as "Do What You Do" and "Dynamite."

Life with the Jackson Family

In 1984, he re-joined the Jacksons for the first time since 1975 in order to perform the 55-concert Victory tour, named after the newly released Jacksons' album Victory.

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    The Jackson 5

    Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael were five brothers from Gary, Indiana, who became one of the biggest pop groups in music history. One of Motown's most successful acts in the 1970s, The Jackson 5 had four of their first singles hit the top of the Billboard chart, but the group's appeal was more than just musical - they were among the first black teen idols to appeal to a white audience. The Jackson 5's mix of mind-blowing musical talent and sheer charisma earned the family the status of pop royalty in the music business and later helped launch Michael's legendary solo career.

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    The Jackson Family

    The Jackson family is arguably one of the most famous families in entertainment. Originating from Gary, Indiana, this iconic group influenced musical genres from R&B and soul, to pop. The nine Jackson children Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Michael, Randy, and Janet have all made their mark on the music industry. From the early success of "The Jackson 5" to Michael's reign as the "King of Pop," the siblings became important figures in popular culture, however not without controversy. Here we look at the members of this unforgettable family and their rise to fame.

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