Randy Jackson (Jacksons singer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Randy Jackson
Jackson in June 1976
Born	Steven Randall Jackson (1961-10-29) October 29, 1961 (age 63) Gary, Indiana, U.S.
Occupation	Musician singer songwriter dancer
Years active	1971–present
Spouse(s)	Eliza Shaffy ​ ​ (m. 1989; div. 1992)​
Children	3
Parents	Joe Jackson (father) Katherine Jackson (mother)
Family	Jackson
Musical career
Genres	Pop R&B soul
Instruments	Vocals percussion keyboards bass guitar guitar
Labels	Epic CBS A&M

Steven Randall Jackson (born October 29, 1961) is an American musician, singer, songwriter and dancer. He is the ninth child in the Jackson family. Randy is the youngest Jackson brother and the second-youngest Jackson sibling before his sister Janet. Randy is a former member of his family band The Jacksons, which he joined after his brother Jermaine left the group (then named The Jackson 5). He was nominated for a Grammy Award for his work on the 1980 studio album Triumph.

Early life

From left, back row: Jackie Jackson, Michael Jackson, Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson. Middle row: Randy Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Rebbie Jackson. Front row: Janet Jackson, 1977. Absent: Jermaine Jackson

Jackson was born at St Mary's Mercy Hospital in Gary, Indiana, to Joseph Jackson and Katherine Jackson. Nicknamed "Little Randy", Jackson is the ninth child of the Jackson family and youngest of the brothers. As he was only 3 years old when the Jackson 5 was first formed in 1965, he was not originally a member of the group.

Career

The Jacksons

Randy first appeared live with his brothers in 1971 at a Christmas show the Jackson 5 held for blind children. Although he was on every Jackson 5 tour since 1972, mainly playing the congas among other instruments, Randy did not officially join the family band until 1975 when they left Motown for CBS Records and older brother Jermaine chose to stay with Motown, prompting Randy to replace him. The Jackson 5 officially changed their name to the Jacksons when they signed with Epic in part because Motown owned the name "Jackson 5". At age 16, he co-wrote the Jacksons' most successful single on Epic, "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" with Michael.

On March 3, 1980, Jackson was seriously injured in a car crash in Hollywood, California. In June 1980, he appeared on the cover of the weekly African-American newsmagazine Jet. The cover headline read: "Randy Jackson Walks Again: Talks About His Future."

Jackson plays congas, percussion, keyboards, piano, bass, and guitar, among other instruments. In addition to singing and playing on the Jacksons' recordings, he worked with Michael on his album Off the Wall. He participated in the Jacksons' Destiny World Tour from 1979 to 1980, the Triumph Tour in 1981, Victory Tour in 1984, and the band's later projects. After the Victory Tour, Jackson worked with Lionel Richie on his album Dancing on the Ceiling in 1985. Jackson, along with brothers Jackie, Tito, Marlon, and his sister La Toya joined USA For Africa to sing in "We Are The World", which was led by Jackson's brother Michael, Lionel Richie, Quincy Jones, and Harry Belafonte.

He was left out when the Jackson 5 were inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997; only the five original members were inducted.

He was part of the Jacksons' 2001 reunion at Madison Square Garden, but did not appear as an official cast member in their 2009 A&E reality series The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty. He did contribute backing vocals with Jackie, Tito, Marlon and Jermaine for Michael's "This Is It".

After the Jacksons

After recording 2300 Jackson Street, the group disbanded and focused on separate projects in 1990. After this split, Jackson formed his band, Randy & the Gypsys. The group released only one album before breaking up. The same year, he co-founded Total Multimedia Inc. with former Iron Butterfly bass player Philip Taylor Kramer to develop data compression techniques for CD-ROMs. On June 28, 1998, Jackson opened up his record label, Modern Records.

Rhythm Nation Records

Randy is currently a partner with his sister, Janet Jackson, at her independent record label Rhythm Nation Records. On August 16, 2018, Randy and Janet announced that Rhythm Nation Records was partnering with an independent music publisher, distributor, and label Cinq Music. On August 17, 2018, Janet Jackson's "Made for Now" was released, co-written by Randy.

Personal life

Family

In the 1980s, Jackson dated Bernadette Swann (née Robi), Lynn Swann's ex-wife. Swann alleged that Jackson was physically abusive, so she sought refuge at the home of her friend Tina Turner (Swann previously dated Turner's son). Turner shot at Jackson after he broke into her home to see Swann. Turner decided not to press charges in order to avoid bad press.

In 1986, Jackson met Alejandra Oaziaza. They dated for several years, and have two children together, born in 1989 and 1992.

Oaziaza married and divorced Randy Jackson's brother Jermaine Jackson. Randy Jackson married Eliza Shaffy in August 1989; they divorced in 1992. They have one daughter together born in 1990.

Michael Jackson's memorial

Michael Jackson's memorial service was held at the Staples Center on Tuesday, July 7, 2009. To honor him, Randy and his brothers Marlon, Jackie, Jermaine and Tito served as pallbearers with each wearing a single spangly white glove and sunglasses.

Discography

Singles

with Randy and the Gypsys

Studio albums

Singles

Promotional singles

See also

In Spanish: Randy Jackson (músico) para niños