Jermaine Jackson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jermaine Jackson
Jackson in 2007
Born	Jermaine LaJuane Jackson (1954-12-11) December 11, 1954 (age 70) Gary, Indiana, U.S.
Education	Birmingham High School
Occupation	Singer songwriter musician
Years active	1962–2022
Spouse(s)	Hazel Gordy ​ ​ (m. 1973; div. 1988)​ Alejandra Loaiza ​ ​ (m. 1995; div. 2003)​ Halima Rashid ​ ​ (m. 2004; div. 2016)​
Children	7, including Jaafar
Parent(s)	Joe Jackson Katherine Jackson
Family	Jackson
Musical career
Genres	Pop R&B soul funk
Instruments	Vocals bass
Labels	Steeltown Motown Arista LaFace

Jermaine LaJuane Jackson (born December 11, 1954) is an American singer, songwriter, and bass player. He is famous for being a member of the talented Jackson family. From 1964 to 1975, Jermaine was a lead singer alongside his brother Michael in the Jackson 5. He also played the bass guitar for the group.

In 1983, Jermaine rejoined the group, which was then called The Jacksons. He continued to perform and record with them until 2020. Even though Michael often sang the main parts on the Jackson 5's biggest hits, Jermaine had important vocal parts on songs like "I'll Be There" and "I Want You Back".

When four of his brothers left Motown Records for Epic Records in 1976, Jermaine decided to stay with Motown. He had recently married Hazel Gordy, the daughter of Motown's founder, Berry Gordy. His youngest brother, Randy, took his place in The Jacksons. Jermaine also had a successful solo music career, with some songs reaching the top 30 on the music charts in the 1980s. He worked with famous artists like Whitney Houston and the band Switch.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Jermaine was born on December 11, 1954, in Gary, Indiana. He is the fourth child of Joseph and Katherine Jackson. He has many siblings, including Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, La Toya, Marlon, Michael, Randy, and Janet.

His father, Joe, loved music and played guitar. His mother, Katherine, was a skilled pianist and singer. When Joe worked long hours, Jermaine and his brothers, Tito and Jackie, secretly practiced songs using their father's guitar. They also sang harmonies with their mother.

Jermaine was the first lead singer and bass player for the Jackson Brothers. This group later became the Jackson 5. In 1966, his younger brother Michael started singing lead more often. Their father, Joe, saw their talent and began training them strictly. Jermaine still sang lead parts in many songs over the years. He graduated from Birmingham High School in California in 1973.

Music Career Highlights

The Jackson 5 Years

Jermaine (top left) and his brothers in 1974

Jermaine and his brothers first signed with Steeltown Records in 1967. Their first song, "Big Boy", came out in January 1968. After recording a few more songs, they signed with Berry Gordy of Motown Records in 1969.

As a lead singer of the Jackson 5, Jermaine sang important parts in hits like "I Want You Back", "ABC", "I'll Be There", and "Dancing Machine". He performed with the group for six years. In 1975, the Jackson 5 decided to leave Motown for Epic Records. However, Jermaine chose to stay with Motown. He felt loyal to the company and had married Berry Gordy's daughter, Hazel, in 1973.

Jermaine then started his solo career at Motown. His brother Randy replaced him in the group. Motown had trademarked the name "Jackson Five," so the group had to change their name to The Jacksons when they moved to Epic. In 1983, Jermaine rejoined his brothers for a TV special called Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. After this success, he recorded the album Victory with all six brothers. He also joined them on the Victory Tour.

Jermaine stayed with the group for their last album, 2300 Jackson Street, in 1989. In 1997, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Jackson 5. In 2001, he performed with his brothers for the Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Special.

Solo Music Journey

Like Michael, Jermaine started his solo career while still with the Jackson 5. His 1972 song "Daddy's Home" was a big hit. When the Jackson 5 left Motown in 1975, Jermaine stayed with the label until 1983. He then rejoined his brothers for the Motown 25 special and their Victory album.

Jermaine was nominated for a Grammy Award for his 1980 album Let's Get Serious. He had many songs reach the top 30 charts in the 1970s and 1980s. These included "Daddy's Home," "Let's Get Serious," "Dynamite," and "Do What You Do". A duet with his brother Michael, "Tell Me I'm Not Dreamin' (Too Good to Be True)", was a number one dance hit in 1984. He and Michael also sang on Rockwell's 1984 hit song, "Somebody's Watching Me".

In 1985, his duet with Pia Zadora, "When the Rain Begins to Fall", was very popular in Europe. His last chart success was "Don't Take It Personal" in 1989. Jermaine is also a skilled electric guitar and bass guitar player. He has composed and produced music for other artists, including Whitney Houston's first album.

Reality TV Appearances

Jermaine was a housemate on Celebrity Big Brother 5 in 2007, where he finished in second place. After the show, he gave interviews about his peaceful approach in the house. He also appeared on the CMT reality show Gone Country. In 2014, he and his wife Halima were on the ABC show Celebrity Wife Swap.

Later Work and Projects

In 2007, Jermaine visited the UK for a special TV show and spoke at an anti-racism campaign event. In 2008, he was a guest judge and mentor on Australian Idol for a Michael Jackson-themed night.

After his brother Michael passed away in 2009, Jermaine appeared on the A&E TV series The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty. This show was meant to document a 40th-anniversary reunion of the brothers. In 2010, Jermaine performed a concert in Las Vegas called "40 Years of Jackson Music," dedicating it to Michael. He also wrote a book about his brother, You Are Not Alone: Michael Through a Brother's Eyes (2011).

In 2012, Jermaine released I Wish You Love, his first solo album in 21 years. It mostly featured jazz songs. He also performed in a musical called You Are Not Alone: The Musical in France in 2013.

Personal Life

Family Life

Jermaine has been married and divorced three times. He has seven children. His first marriage was to Hazel Gordy, the daughter of Motown founder Berry Gordy. They were married from 1973 to 1988 and had three children: Jermaine La Jaune "Jay" Jackson Jr., Autumn Joi Jackson, and Jaimy Jermaine Jackson.

He was in a relationship with Margaret Maldonado from 1986 to 1993, and they had two sons: Jeremy Maldonado Jackson and Jourdynn Michael Jackson. He then married Alejandra Loaiza in 1995, and they divorced in 2003. They had two sons: Jaafar Jeremiah Jackson and Jermajesty Jermaine Jackson.

In 2004, Jermaine married Halima Rashid. She filed for divorce in 2016.

Jermaine supported his brother Michael during his 2005 trial. He spoke about his brother on TV and appeared with him in court. Jermaine announced Michael's death to the public on June 25, 2009.

Remembering Michael

Jermaine thanked everyone who attended Michael Jackson's memorial service on July 7, 2009. He sang "Smile" by Charlie Chaplin, a song Michael had also covered. In honor of Michael, Jermaine and his brothers, Tito, Jackie, Marlon, and Randy Jackson, served as pallbearers. They wore gold neckties, a single white glove, and sunglasses.

In 2019, Jermaine spoke out about claims against his brother. He said, "Michael was tried by a jury... and he was acquitted." He added, "Our family are tired. Let this man rest. He did a lot for the world. There is no truth to this."

Conversion to Islam

Jermaine Jackson was raised as a Jehovah's Witness. In 1989, he converted to Islam after visiting Bahrain. He was very impressed by how devoted the local children were to their religion.

Jermaine has said that he believes if his brother Michael had converted to Islam, it might have saved his life.

Discography

• Jermaine (1972)
• Come into My Life (1973)
• My Name Is Jermaine (1976)
• Feel the Fire (1977)
• Frontiers (1978)
• Let's Get Serious (1980)
• Jermaine (1980)
• I Like Your Style (1981)
• Let Me Tickle Your Fancy (1982)
• Dynamite (1984)
• Precious Moments (1986)
• Don't Take It Personal (1989)
• You Said (1991)
• I Wish You L.O.V.E (2012)

Filmography

Tours

• Precious Moments Tour (1986)
• Jermaine Jackson Australian Tour (1987–88)

See also

In Spanish: Jermaine Jackson para niños