List of the Jackson 5 band members: Difference between revisions

The American pop group the Jackson 5 has had 7 band members over their 6 decade career. Releasing music under the names the Jackson Brothers (1964–1965), the Jackson 5 (1965–1976, under Steeltown and Motown), and the Jacksons (1976–1989, under Epic and CBS),^[1] the group predominantly featured brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael Jackson. The group has also included youngest brother Randy.

The original group began with the three eldest brothers of the Jackson family—Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine. In 1964, their father Joe Jackson caught Tito playing his guitar. Rather than punishing Tito, he let him show his skill which led to the purchasing of Tito’s guitar. Jackie, and Jermaine also showed interests in music which led to the creation of the Jackson Brothers with young Michael playing congas, childhood friends Reynaud Jones and Milford Hite playing keyboards and drums, and young Marlon playing the tambourine.^[2] Both Marlon and Michael would join the group in 1964.

In 1965, the Jackson Brothers adopted their name, “the Jackson 5”. It is said that Jermaine was supposed to be the lead singer but when the group’s mother Katherine Jackson heard Michael singing when he was doing chores she insisted that he be made the lead singer, but this fact is disputed. From 1965 to 1967, the group played many talent shows across the country and opened up for bigger acts. In July 1968, the group auditioned for Motown Records and was awarded a 7-year contract.^[3]

Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5 was released as their debut album in December 1969 and spawned the group’s most popular single to date “I Want You Back“, released ahead of the album that October. The next two albums ABC (1970), and Third Album (1970) spawned three more number one songs after “I Want You Back”.^[4] Their success continued on a smaller scale with songs “Maybe Tomorrow” (1971) and “Mama’s Pearl” (1971). Michael and Jermaine enjoyed solo success between 1971 and 1975 as well, with their respective hit solo songs such as “Got to Be There” (1971) and “Daddy’s Home” (1972) becoming popular on the charts. The group’s records began to fall from the charts by 1972 and the group was becoming at odds with Motown due to their low royalty rate and lack of creative control.^[5] The group’s last major hits on the label were “Dancing Machine” (reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974) and “I Am Love” (reached #15 on the Hot 100 in 1975).

By June 1975, Joe Jackson and the group were fed up with Motown’s strictness and decided to leave the label after recording their final album, Moving Violation, in May of that year, signing a new lucrative deal with CBS Records through their Epic Records division. Jermaine, having married Motown CEO Berry Gordy’s daughter Hazel, decided to stay with Motown, out of family and company loyalty. Since the group left almost a year before their contract ended, Motown sued the group for breach of contract. Motown ended up winning the rights to the “Jackson 5” name so the group changed their name to “the Jacksons” and youngest brother and longtime conga player Randy replaced Jermaine. By the time they had left the Motown label, most of the group were adults except Michael who was nearing his 18th birthday by 1976.

Jackie Jackson

Active: 1964–1990, 2001, 2012–present

Instruments: lead vocals, percussion

Tito Jackson

Active: 1964–1990, 2001, 2012–2024; his death

Instruments: vocals, lead guitar, synthesizers

Jermaine Jackson

Active: 1964–1975, 1983–1990, 2001, 2012–2020

Instruments: lead vocals, bass guitar

Marlon Jackson

Active: 1964–1985, 2001, 2012–present

Instruments: vocals, synthesizers, percussion

Michael Jackson

Active: 1964–1984, 2001

Instruments: lead vocals, percussion

Randy Jackson

Active: 1971–1989, 2001

Instruments: vocals, piano, keyboards, percussion