History - Michael Jackson

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Michael Jackson came into this world on August 29, 1958, the son of Katherine and Joe Jackson. He began life in the old steel town of Gary, Indiana, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) southeast of Chicago. Named Michael Joseph Jackson, his middle name was gifted to him from his father Joe, whose rigid, authoritarian nature would become the backbone of Michaels early music career.

Michael came from a big family with nine children. His sisters were named Rebbie, La Toya, and Janet, and his brothers would come to include Jermaine, Marlon (Marlon also had a twin brother named Brandon who died soon after being born), Jackie, Tito, and Randy. It was with his brothers that Michael would first launch his singing career. Michael and his siblings inherited their musical talent directly from their parents; both Joe and Katherine were musically gifted, and as such, music was ever-present in the Jackson household.

It was while their father was at work that Michael and his brothers would sneak Joes guitar out of the closet and try their luck at playing it. Tito was the one who gravitated toward the instrument the most during these early years. According to family lore, one day he was strumming the strings just a bit too vigorously and accidentally broke one. He and his brothers were terrified. They knew that their father would be upset when he came home and found his guitar with a broken string, yet they didnt know how to put a new one on. In full panic, they put the guitar back in the closet and waited for the inevitable explosion.

Upon approaching Tito about the broken string, rather than punishing him, Joe asked Tito to show him what he had learned. When he saw the boy play, Joe wasnt madhe was happy. He recognized his sons incredible potential with the instrument. Shortly thereafter, Joe came home with a brand-new guitar, handing the instrument over to Tito and telling him it was his. It was in this moment that the Jackson 5and ultimately Michael Jacksons incredible solo careerbegan.

Shortly after Michaels brother Tito was given his first guitar, the Jackson brothers began their first attempts at starting a band. Initially, Michael was mostly excluded since he was considered a bit too young by his older brothers at the time. His brothers would change their minds, however, after he performed a song for a talent contest at his elementary school and showed just how powerful of a singer he could be. Soon enough, Michael was practicing regularly with what would ultimately become the Jackson 5.

Michael and his brothers were dedicated to their craft, but it was their father Joes dogged determination to make something of the group that really whipped them into shape. The phrase whipped might even be an adequate description since it would later be claimed that Joe Jackson wasnt above dishing out corporal punishment if his children failed to deliver musically. Michael later revealed that, on some occasions, he would get whipped by a belt if he didnt perform a song quite right.

At any rate, it was the stern guidance of Joe that helped the group rapidly evolve in their early days. It was also Joe who saved up whatever resources he had to buy the group musical equipment. After buying Tito his first guitar, he soon purchased a bass guitar, microphone, amps, and drumsall so his children could play. Joe, who himself was a musician, had a keen eye for talent, and even if he himself had missed the boat to superstardom, he developed a new determination to bring forth the best from his offspring.

Its said that Joe made sure that his sons practiced every single day after school. Although Michael loved music, he sometimes came to regret the fact that it was forced on him. He would later recall feeling envious of other kids who were able to go out and play after school while he and his brothers were obligated to stay inside for band practice.

Once the band had become a solid unit, Joe Jackson was ready to take them to the next level. He booked them for their first string of gigs at local talent shows and amateur hours in every venue he could find. The first break for the Jackson 5 came in 1966 when they managed to win a citywide competition at the high school Tito attended.

It was during these early performances that the boys first learned to connect with the audience and intersperse their music with carefully choreographed dance moves. Although they were young (Michael as only seven), they had become real crowd-pleasers. People liked what they saw and the Jackson kids were ready to give them more of it.

After being successful at talent shows like this, Joe Jackson had his sons perform at some less-than-stellar nightclubs such as Mr. Luckys Lounge in Gary, Indiana. These joints not only served booze but also frequently had strippers working the venue. Obviously, such a place would not have been an appropriate environment in which minors like the Jacksons should have been performing. Nevertheless, Joe was determined to have his children perform in front of as many live audiences as they could, no matter how seedy the venue might have been.

The next big break for the Jacksons came when Joe connected with a co-worker of his who happened to have access to a recording studio. It was through this contact that the Jackson 5 recorded their first song, Big Boy. Recorded and released in 1967, the song didnt get much traction outside of Gary, but it was an exciting moment for the Jacksons all the same. For them, it was amazing just to hear their music preserved on a record.

Joe knew full well, however, that if the Jackson 5 were ever going to hit it big, they needed to make their presence known outside of their hometown. This led him to pack up his sons and their equipment and make the drive to Chicago, where they performed at an amateur night at Chicagos Royal George Theatre. Here, the Jackson 5 proved that they were as good as gold when they delivered a flawless performance and won the competition.

Over the next few weeks, they continued to win, and eventually, they were rewarded with the privilege of being able to open a show with none other than the superstars Gladys Knight and the Pips. Both the audience and Gladys were impressed with how well the Jackson 5 did, and shortly after the show, Gladys had a personal, one-on-one discussion with Joe Jackson, during which she expressed to him how she wished to aid him in promoting the band.

Gladys had connections and let Joe know that she was going to tell the owner of Motown RecordsBerry Gordy, Jr.just how impressed she was. Motown Records was founded in Detroit, Michigan, and was called as such due to the long-standing nickname of Detroit, Motor City. Since Motown had opened its doors in 1959, it had become a prominent staple of the music scene. Motor City was Motown, and Motown was Motor City.

Joe Jackson was hopeful that Gladys Knight could generate some interest for the group with Motowns Berry Gordy. At the same time, he was also going to make sure that he did everything within his power to streamline the process. Soon, the Jackson 5 were making the four-hour drive to Detroit in order to perform in the Motor City for themselves. Their next big gig, however, wouldnt be in Chicago or Detroit, but rather New York City.

On August 13, 1967, the Jackson 5 went all the way to New York to perform at the famed Apollo Theatre. Fortunately for Joe, the big wigs at the Apollo had already heard of the band and were so impressed with what people were saying that they were automatically entered into the amateur finals without even having to audition. Those running the show at the Apollo would not be disappointed. The Jackson 5 proved to be the best act that night and came in first place.