Jackson family facts for kids

The Jackson family is a famous American family of musicians and entertainers. They come from Gary, Indiana. Many of the children of Joseph Walter (Joe) and Katherine Esther Jackson became very successful in music. The most famous group they formed was the Motown boy band the Jackson 5. This group later became known as The Jacksons.

Several of the Jackson siblings also had amazing solo careers. Joe Jackson managed his children's careers. The Jackson family, both as a group and as solo artists, became very popular in music starting in the late 1960s. They are sometimes called the "First Family of Soul" or the "Royal Family of Pop." This is especially true because of the huge success of Michael and Janet Jackson. Michael is often called the "King of Pop."

The Jackson 5 originally included Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael. In 1975, Randy joined the group, replacing Jermaine. Michael and Janet are seen as the most popular members of the family. Both had highly successful solo careers. They are known as two of the most important pop and R&B artists ever. All nine Jackson siblings have earned gold records for their music. Janet is the first Black female artist to receive the Billboard Icon Award.

The Jacksons are one of the most important families in music history. In 1997, the Jackson 5 were added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Michael was also added as a solo artist in 2001. This made him one of the few artists to be inducted twice. Janet joined her brothers in the Hall of Fame in 2019. Michael, Janet, and the Jacksons all have stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. A TV show called The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty came out in 2009. It showed the Jackson brothers dealing with Michael's death and planning a reunion tour.

The First Generation: Joe and Katherine

Joe Jackson in 2014

The Jackson siblings from their TV show The Jacksons. Front, from left: Janet, Randy, La Toya, Rebbie. Back, from left: Jackie, Michael, Tito, Marlon.

Joseph Walter Jackson was born in Arkansas in 1928. He grew up in Oakland, California. When he was 18, he moved to East Chicago, Indiana. He wanted to become a professional boxer. At age 21, Joseph married Katherine Scruse, who was 19. They started a family right away. Joseph realized boxing was not good for a family man. So, he got a job as a crane operator. Over 16 years, he and Katherine had nine children.

Joe Jackson always wanted to be famous. He didn't make it big in boxing or with his own band, the Falcons. But he saw musical talent in his children. He first noticed Tito's guitar playing skills. Soon, Joe formed a band with his sons Tito, Jermaine, and Jackie. They called themselves The Jackson Brothers in 1964. Joe became their manager.

After a few years of local talent shows, Joseph added his younger sons, Marlon and Michael, to the band. By 1966, they changed the name to The Jackson Five. Joe was a very strict manager. He made them practice singing and dancing for many hours. He wanted them to be ready for big success.

In 1967, the group performed at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. They won the Amateur Night contest. A producer named Gordon Keith discovered them. He signed them to their first contract in 1967. Their first song, "Big Boy," came out in 1968. It became a local hit. In 1969, they signed with Motown Records and became known as the Jackson 5.

The group became very famous, just as Joseph Jackson had hoped. He continued to manage them. The Jackson 5 had many No. 1 hits. Joseph moved his family to a large house in Encino, California. After many years, Michael, the lead singer, decided to pursue a solo career in 1979. In 1983, the other Jackson siblings also decided to find a new manager.

Katherine Jackson was born in Barbour County, Alabama, in 1930. As a child, she got polio, which caused a permanent limp. Her family moved to East Chicago, Indiana, where she recovered. She met Joseph Jackson there. The couple moved to Gary, Indiana, and bought a small home. They raised their nine children there. Katherine was a stay-at-home mother.

Katherine was a devoted Jehovah's Witness. She raised her children with strong spiritual teachings. She was also a talented pianist and singer. She shared her musical gifts with her children. Many people say she was the reason for her children's success. After her sons became famous as the Jackson 5, she strongly supported them. She even designed the costumes for their shows. Katherine now lives in Calabasas, California. She helps care for the children of her late son, Michael.

The Second Generation: The Jackson Siblings

Janet Jackson in 1998

Joe and Katherine Jackson had ten children together. Sadly, their son Brandon, Marlon's twin, died shortly after birth. The other nine children grew up to become professional musicians and artists.

Here are the nine Jackson siblings:

• Maureen Reillette "Rebbie" Jackson (born May 29, 1950)
• Sigmund Esco "Jackie" Jackson (born May 4, 1951)
• Toriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson (born October 15, 1953)
• Jermaine La Jaune Jackson (born December 11, 1954)
• LaToya Yvonne Jackson (born May 29, 1956)
• Marlon David Jackson (born March 12, 1957)
• Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009)
• Steven Randall "Randy" Jackson (born October 29, 1960)
• Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966)
• Joh'Vonnie Jackson (Born August 30, 1974)

The Third Generation: Carrying on the Legacy

The Jackson family has many grandchildren, making up the third generation. Some of them have also become involved in the entertainment world.

Michael Jackson's three children are probably the most well-known of this generation:

• Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. (born February 13, 1997), known as "Prince."
• Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson (born April 3, 1998).
• Prince Michael Jackson II (born February 21, 2002), first known as "Blanket," now called "Bigi."

These children have often been in the news, especially since their father's death in 2009.

Other Jackson siblings also have children who are in the public eye:

• Austin Brown (born November 22, 1985) is Rebbie Jackson's only son. He is a singer-songwriter and has released several successful songs.
• Tito Jackson's three sons, Tariano Adaryll "Taj" Jackson (born August 4, 1973), Taryll Adren Jackson (born August 8, 1975), and Tito Joe Jackson (born July 16, 1978), formed the R&B/pop music group 3T. They have released three albums and found success, especially outside the United States.
• Sigmund Esco "Siggy" Jackson (born June 29, 1977) is Jackie Jackson's oldest son. He is a hip-hop artist known as "Dealz." Siggy has written songs for other artists and has had some success as a solo artist.
• Jermaine La Jaune "Jay" Jackson, Jr. (born January 27, 1977) is Jermaine Jackson's oldest son. He played his father in the 1992 TV movie The Jacksons: An American Dream.
• On January 3, 2017, Janet Jackson gave birth to her son, Eissa Al Mana. He is the newest member of the Jackson family.

See also

In Spanish: Familia Jackson para niños