The Jackson Five is one of the most iconic groups in music history, known for their catchy tunes, energetic performances, and the launch of Michael Jackson’s extraordinary career. But there’s so much more to their story than what you see on the surface.
If you’re a fan of their music or just curious about music history, you might be surprised by what you don’t know about this legendary group.
To give you an idea, here are some fascinating facts about The Jackson Five that you probably didn’t know.
1. The Group’s First Songwriter Wasn’t a Jackson
You might assume that the Jackson brothers wrote all of their early hits, but that’s not the case. One of the key figures behind their success was a talented songwriter who wasn’t even a member of the family.
The Jackson 5’s first big hits, including “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” and “The Love You Save,” were actually written by a team of songwriters at Motown, known as “The Corporation.” This group included Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, along with Freddie Perren, Deke Richards, and Fonce Mizell. But what’s really interesting is that their later hits were shaped by Michael Jackson himself, who evolved into a skilled songwriter.
If you ever wondered how a Jackson 5 songwriter contributed to the group’s success, know that their journey involved a mix of external help and growing internal talent.
2. They Almost Weren’t Signed to Motown
It’s hard to imagine The Jackson Five without the iconic Motown label, but their journey to get signed was anything but smooth. When the group was discovered by Bobby Taylor, a Motown artist, he was so impressed that he brought them to the attention of Berry Gordy.
However, Gordy wasn’t initially sold on the idea. He was hesitant about signing another group of young kids, especially after some previous attempts at launching young acts hadn’t been as successful as hoped.
It took some convincing, but eventually, Gordy agreed to sign the group. That decision changed the course of music history, and the rest, as they say, is history.
3. They Were Among the First to Mix Pop and R&B
The Jackson Five’s music is known for its infectious blend of pop and rhythm and blues (R&B), a combination that was somewhat groundbreaking at the time.
While Motown was known for its R&B hits, the Jackson Five brought a unique blend of bubblegum pop into the mix, creating a sound that appealed to both young and older audiences alike. Their music crossed racial and generational boundaries, making them one of the first black groups to gain widespread popularity among white audiences.
This fusion of pop and R&B wasn’t just a stroke of luck—it was a carefully crafted strategy by Motown to ensure that the Jackson Five would be a crossover success.
4. The Jackson Five Had Their Own Cartoon Show
If you grew up in the 1970s, you might remember Saturday mornings filled with cartoons.
What you might not know is that The Jackson Five had their own animated television show, simply titled “The Jackson 5ive.” The show aired on ABC from 1971 to 1972 and featured cartoon versions of the five brothers going on various adventures, solving problems, and, of course, performing music.
While the show didn’t last very long, it was a big deal at the time because it was one of the few cartoons featuring an African American family.