We're Gonna Change Our Style

First of all, I would like to start by saying Happy 4th!! I hope you're having a wonderful time celebrating the country's birthday. I would also like everyone to be informed that the web address for this blog has changed. Now, if you are looking for my blog you can find it under this address: www.j5alltheway.blogspot.com.

Now, it's time to get started on our J5 history lesson!!! Today we will be discussing the story of how The Jackson Brothers decided to one day change their style. Musically that is.

 Everyone knows by now that The Jackson 5's signature sound was bubble gum pop. Their most popular  songs  of the Motown Era contain  upbeat melodies, catchy choruses and happy lyrics that appealed to the adolescent age group; as Bubble Gum pop should. While the style of Bubble Gum Pop was very popular in this particular era, and fitting for their young voices at the time ; The Jackson 5 soon had their fill of bubble gum.

In 1972, The Jackson 5 had just released their 5th studio album entitled "Lookin' Through The Windows". At this point all of the boys had grown up. Michael was 13 years old, his voice began maturing and he and the boys were no longer comfortable singing bubble gum pop songs. Although in an uncomfortable position the brothers began working on their next album "Skywriter"

 Michael had become  completely frustrated with the way thing were going for the boys. This is when the complaint to write their own music started. The boys were completely sick and tired of the, elementary,bubble gum pop songs that the Motown kept demanding them to sing. Their deep dissatisfaction was even displayed on the cover of the album. The boys are seen posing in front of an old fashioned air plane, clad in leather jackets, scarves and aviator goggles with expressionless looks upon their faces. That would be their way of letting their fans know that "Skywriter" would be the last of bubble gum pop for The Jackson 5.

Sadly, "Skywriter" was the J5ive's least successful album. The brothers' album sold only 2.8 million copies and had only one top 20 single. The boys were unable to properly promote the album because they were on tour. "Skywriter" also stirred a controversy with the track "Touch". This was a Supremes cover with Michael and Jermaine singing lead about pleasing a woman in bed. This was highly inappropriate at the time and for Michael,  it would be the most controversial song he sang until his adult solo career.

After the disappointment with "Skywriter", the boys were glad to ditch their Bubble Gum Pop image and trade it in for more soulful, mature disco tunes. Changing their style was a great idea and soon lead to the success of "G.I.T".

As always the Jackson 5 always find a way to reinvent themselves. Regardless of their musical style, their a timeless group!

Jackson 5 or Jacksons?????

Is it the Jackson 5 or the Jacksons???

"What's the difference?? Same people right?" Some might ask. But that is most certainly not at all true. The Jackson 5 and the Jacksons are different indeed.

As we all know Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael all came onto the scene as baby faced, high voiced little boys known to the world as the Jackson 5; who later grew up to be tall handsome young men know as the Jacksons. What many don't know is the orgin of the band's names and why they changed them.

Working their way up to fame in the mid and late 60's in Gary Indiana, the boys were known to their home town as the Jacksons . However when the group hit fame with Motown in 1968 their name was changed to the Jackson 5. This would become a household name for 6 years straight. The name quickly caught on. Both adults and children were able to recognize the heart shaped logo that graced the letter J and the number 5. But in 1975 the Jackson 5 would be no more.

Although the Jackson 5 were notorious for singing happy- go- lucky, bubble gum pop songs, things were not so peachy keen in the Motown studios. The boys had grown up and were unhappy about not being able to write and produce their own music. Michael in particular was very livid and often voiced his opinion of not being able to write their own material. This caused a stand off between the 5 brothers and the Motown Corporation. In 1975 the Jackson 5 released their last album, "Moving Violation" under the Motown company name. Little did they know that would be their last album as the Jackson 5.

The boys father, Joseph  signed them off to a contract with CBS. The boys were ecstatic to be allowed to write their own material. They were ready give the Jackson 5 a much need musical make over. They had the freedom to write their own material but they couldn't do it under the name of Jackson 5. Their Motown contract had not yet  run out and the Jackson family was smacked with a 5 million dollar lawsuit for breach of contract. Motown owned the rights to the band's name and they could not continue to preform under the name of the Jackson 5.

Many thought this would be the end of Jackson mania, but it was only the beginning. The boys were not quickly discouraged, they totally reinvented themselves. Now the Jackson brothers were able to be more creative than they ever been.  They debuted their first album  under CBS' Epic label titled "The Jacksons" The transition was not easy though, it cost them a band member. Jermaine, the bass player and one of the vocalist decided to stay under the Motown label. His reasons being he was married to Berry Gordy, the president of Motown's daughter. He went solo and released his own music with Motown. Jermaine was soon replaced with the Jackson brother, Randy.

The Jackson brothers had picked themselves up. After disappointing sales from the self titled  album "The Jacksons", they tried much harder. They began writing more mature material and even came up with their own  production label called "Peacock Productions" This adopted a new symbol for the group, a radiant Peacock.. The Peacock was meant to broaden their appeal to a wider audience. Nothing explains this better than the statement by Michael and Jackie that appears on every since 1978.

"Through the ages, the peacock has been honored and praised for its attractive, illustrious beauty. Of all the bird family, peacock is the only bird that integrates all colors into one, and displays the radiance of fire only when in love."
"We like the peacock, try to integrate all races into one through the love of music."
- Michael and Jackie Jackson For Peacock Productions.

The Jackson 5 were once again the Jacksons.

So what does this blog post teach you?? How about no matter who knocks you down always pick yourself up again and try to do bigger and better things. This is exactly what Jackie, Tito, Marlon and Michael did. If they didn't they wouldn't have such a strong legacy. The next time some one says theirs no difference between the Jackson 5 and the Jacksons, please, kindly correct them.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Brotherly Love

As you already know I am crazy about the J5ive. I play their music everyday. But that is not the thing that had caused to become obsessed with these group of young men. It's the Brotherly love.

The Jackson 5 were more than just band mates, they were flesh and blood brothers.  All 5 of them were very close and had a bond that no band members, brothers or not had. No matter how much more popularity one brother had over another they still remained very close. They always stuck together, even after each one went their separate ways.

You don't have to be a major Jackson 5 Fanatic like I am to feel the brotherly love. You can hear it in their harmonies, how they blend so perfectly together. They do sound great solo but I believe they sound the greatest together, as that quartet of handsome brothers. That's the thing I love the best about their group, they had such beautiful harmony, on stage and off.

So now that I've discussed the brotherly love I must show it to you. Here is a Motown interview with all 5 of the brothers In titled "Brotherly Fun". It is brotherly fun but what I also see is plenty of brotherly love. This interview will also allow you to get to know the 5 better. They answer questions about their interest and even share some of their pre-fame stories. After the videos, what are your views on the J5ive's brotherly bond??? Do you think they always maintained harmony??? As always your comments and opinions are welcome!!!

The Fro, Yo!

Little dudes with big hair!!

The Jackson 5 did not just have an impact on music , they also left a big impact on style. Who could resist those physcadelic button ups paired with colorful vest, cummerbunds , bell bottoms and shiny platform shoes. But we are not here to talk about the Jackson brother's threads, we want to talk about their hair! No one wears the Fro like the J5!!

As we've stated early on the Jackson 5 are trend setters for young people. In their hay day they influenced a lot of young people and they still do. But one Big thing they influence is the least thing you'd expect; hair!

The Jackson 5 are not the first to sport the Fro but they really did make it one of the biggest trends in the 70's. Afro were originally a symbol of political power. The Fro was originally worn by black activist such as the Black Panthers and activist Angela Davis. But Afros were also a symbol of Black Pride and showing that black can be beautiful. J5 were people beautiful indeed.

I personally believe that the Jackson brothers donned their Afros for both purposes. One, to show the older generation that often and to this day still judges the younger generations for their trends, that you can still look dapper and not cut your hair. Two, that coarse hair is beautiful and three, the bigger the Afro the better!!!! The Jackson brothers had the biggest best Afros ever!!! In their early years Jermaine had the biggest Afro, but by the time he got older Michael had Jermaine beat!

So what are your views on the fro??? Are you bold enough to don one???? What do you think about the brother's Fros??? As always your views and opinions are always welcome. Please comment!

It All Started With A Dream

It's time for a little lesson on Jackson 5 History!

                                          The Jackson family home in Gary, Indiana

Any star (or stars in this case!) who has made it big started out with very humble beginnings. The Jackson brothers most certainly were not born with their fame. It took persistence, confidence and hard work to get them to the top. The question is , how did the Jackson 5 gain fame?????


It all started with a dream. In the small town of Gary, Indiana, on the street of 2300 Jackson, The Jackson Brothers got their start. Music has always played an important role in the lives of the Jacksons. Joseph Jackson, their father and manger of the group, was apart of a local band in town call "The Falcons" and had long since given his children a love for music. Living in an at risk neighborhood, the older boys often dogged trouble by staying in the house. While Joseph was away They would practice jamming on his guitar even though they were not permitted to play it. I guess that goes to show that talent can develop out of defiance.

The boys continued to be constructive using Joseph guitar. Their mother and even little Michael promised not to tell Joseph anything but one day a string broke on the guitar and the boys knew they were in for it. The boys were devastated and ready for their punishment. What they weren't ready for however was Joseph's reaction. He was not at all concerned with the broken string. His new focus was on the new talent he had discovered in his sons.

While Joseph was rounding up the band he was still having trouble on deciding if one member should join- Michael. It's pretty hard to believe that the band's lead singer and most popular member would be given second thoughts on entering the band but Joseph was concerned about whether or not they could pull that off. Michael had to prove himself. At his elementary school, Michael did a wonderful rendition of "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" for the "Sound Of Music"  that earned him an outstanding standing ovation. After this Joseph didn't have a reason to have any more doubts. Dynamite does come in small packages.

Now the band, consisting of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael, was complete. The boys rehearsed every day after school . Children in the neighborhood would throw rocks at their window and tell them they were never going to make it but despite their peers discouragement they kept moving on.  Joseph took his boys through a series of contest and talent shows. Eventually the boys got to Amature Night at the Apollo. Their performance was so enjoyable they were asked to come back. This lead to bigger and better things giving the boys a temporary contract with Steeltown and eventually leading them to the promise land by landing them an audition with Motown. The boys were signed.

The Jackson 5 made their first national Tv performance at the 1969 Miss Black American Pageant.Those little guys were Jammin!

As you can see it takes courage, hope and hard work to achieve your dreams. Anyone can do it you've just put your mind to it no mater what anyone says. Now here's something for you to think about. What do you think would have happened if the J5 would have listened to the children that said they couldn't do it??? How would that have effected them and where would they be today??? Also here's another big question to think about, How would the group have changed if Joseph wouldn't have allowed Michael in the group??? How would the group have been set up differently?

I hope I have not bored you with a history lesson or interrogated you too much! As always your thoughts and opinions are much appreciated. Thanks for reading and remember: "It's your thing, do what you wanna do!"

The Children Of The Light

And we can build a world that is right, We can be the children of the light

The last thing the world ever expected was for a group of skinny, swollen haired yougsters, lead by a short, whinny voiced twelve year old to rule the 70's in the same fashion the Beatles dominated the 60's. The world just wasn't ready for the ridiculous amount of talent these young men possessed. Who do I speak of you ask?? Why, only the Jackson 5 of course! Once upon a time The Jackson 5 were all the rage. In fact some of you who read this blog can remember the days of Jackson Mania, Maybe even you were a victim of the Teeny boppers charisma. I am a Jackson fan of a new generation. When the J5ive were in there hayday I wasn't even a mere thought but I have found myself to have fallen madly in love with the soulful sounds of these brothers. My intentions for this blog is present this Funky, Bad(In a very good way!) group to  a younger generation and maybe help the older generation fall in love with these boys again. Lets face it, every boy band, or band for that matter that has come after the Jackson 5 has not since been able to hold a candle to these boys. Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael each hold their own candle that shines brighter than any other group. In their own sense they are the children of the light. The Jackson 5 is truly an example of how children can pave the  way for a new generation and generations to come. So come with me, take my hand and allow me to introduce you to a group of boys that together shine bright.

Well some of you are familiar with the 5 and some are not. Either way what are your views on this blog or what group do you think shines bright? As Children or adults?? I'm open to all of your comments. Thanks for reading!