Motown’s Celebrated Icons Started Churning Out Hits in 1965

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Fifty-five years ago, music changed forever.

In 1965, pop music’s most celebrated and dynamic dynasty was born when five brothers from Gary, Indiana formed The Jackson 5.

With hits like “I’ll Be There,” “The Love You Save” and “I Want You Back,” the brothers Jackson took the world by storm. Their trailblazing act set the stage for music’s single most influential artist — the King of Pop: Michael Jackson.

While the Jackson 5 never won a Grammy, Michael would eventually dominate all awards and shatter every record known to music.

With hits too numerous to recite and including “Off the Wall,” “Thriller,” “Billie Jean,” “Bad,” and “Man in the Mirror,” Michael’s solo accomplishments remain unchallenged, for he was not only idolized by fans but considered a star among all other celebrities.

To put in perspective, the praise heaped upon Michael, think Beyoncé and add 100 times or more to that.

However, it should not be mistaken, whatever the Jackson 5 — who were later rebranded as The Jacksons — lacked in awards, they more than made up for it in record sales and concert receipts.

As far as talent, it wasn’t all Michael.

On stage, Jackie, Jermaine, Tito, Marlon, and even Randy proved as talented as any pop star. That’s far from hyperbole. Anyone who shared the stage with Michael that often —and more than held their own — had to possess similar talent.

The only thing better than a Michael Jackson concert was a show featuring Michael AND his brothers.

“Nobody worked harder than Michael,” family patriarch, the late Joseph Jackson, once told this reporter. “But nobody except my boys could run with him,” Jackson stated.

Jermaine, perhaps the best-known group member not named Michael, also was ticketed for superstardom. It was no mistake that Jermaine was seen as the glue to hold the brothers together.

He also possessed a string of hits including, “Let’s Get Serious,” “Dynamite,” and “When the Rain Begins to Fall.”

Tito would go on to front a Blues band, while Jackie found success producing other artists.

The Jackson Five earned induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, while Michael was inducted as a solo artist four years later.

Michael Jackson died in 2009, but his music continues to top the charts routinely.

Michael’s legacy has eclipsed Elvis Presley, John Lennon, and all other superstars. His estate continues to rake in hundreds of millions of dollars each year, and fans are as loyal as ever.

The Jacksons have since resumed touring, wowing a new generation of fans, and remains a top concert draw.

“There was always magic in Michael and something special in all of them,” Motown Records founder Berry Gordy stated.

Stated Motown Legend Stevie Wonder: “There will never be another Michael nor another Jackson Five.”