Rebbie Jackson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rebbie Jackson
Jackson in 2016
Born	Maureen Reillette Jackson (1950-05-29) May 29, 1950 (age 75) Gary, Indiana, U.S.
Other names	Rebbie
Occupation	Singer
Years active	1974–present
Spouse(s)	Nathaniel Brown ​ ​ (m. 1968; died 2013)​
Children	3, including Austin Brown
Parent(s)	Joe Jackson Katherine Jackson
Family	Jackson
Musical career
Genres	Pop R&B Soul Dance
Labels	Columbia MJJ Music SuperBird
Associated acts	The Jackson 5 Michael Jackson Janet Jackson La Toya Jackson

Maureen Reillette "Rebbie" Jackson-Brown (born May 29, 1950) is an American singer. She is the oldest child in the famous Jackson family of musicians. Rebbie first performed on stage with her brothers and sisters in Las Vegas in 1974. Later, she appeared on their TV show, The Jacksons.

When she was 34, Rebbie released her first album, Centipede, in 1984. The main song from the album, also called "Centipede", was written by her younger brother Michael. This song became her biggest hit. Rebbie then released two more albums: Reaction (1986) and R U Tuff Enuff (1988).

After a break of seven years, Rebbie returned to music. She sang a cover of "Forever Young" for the Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home movie soundtrack. Three years later, in 1998, she released her album Yours Faithfully. This album was made with help from other artists and producers. Her own children also helped out with the music.

Rebbie Jackson's Life and Career

Early Life and Family

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)

Maureen Reillette Jackson was born on May 29, 1950, in Gary, Indiana. She grew up in a working-class family. Her parents were Joseph Walter "Joe" and Katherine Esther. Rebbie is the oldest of their 10 children. Her siblings include Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Brandon (who passed away young), Michael, Randy, and Janet.

Her father, Joseph, worked in a steel mill and also played in a rhythm and blues (R&B) band. Her mother, Katherine, was a Jehovah's Witness and raised her children in that faith. Rebbie, La Toya, and Michael became very dedicated to their religion as they grew up. Rebbie once said that she felt like a "second mother" to her younger siblings. She often helped take care of them, along with her oldest brother Jackie. She finished high school in Gary in 1968.

Starting Her Music Journey

Rebbie began her singing career in 1974. She performed with her brothers and sisters in Las Vegas. Her five brothers, known as The Jackson 5, were the main stars. Rebbie, Randy, Janet, and La Toya also performed in the shows.

In 1976, The Jackson 5 left their record label, Motown. They signed with CBS Records and changed their name to The Jacksons. The family also got their own TV show called The Jacksons on CBS-TV. The show started in June 1976 and featured all the siblings except Jermaine. It was the first time an African-American family had their own TV series.

Before the TV show, Rebbie thought of singing as just a private hobby. But her experience on television, and her love for musicals, made her want to become a professional singer. The show's producer also encouraged her. Rebbie worked as a backing vocalist for other artists, like The Emotions, before her second pregnancy caused a short break in her music career.

The Centipede Album

After many years of getting ready, Rebbie's first album, Centipede, came out in October 1984. Columbia Records had signed her as a solo artist two years before. Rebbie waited to release the album until she felt her family life was stable. She wanted to spend time with her children when they were young.

Centipede did well on the music charts. It reached number 13 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Many family members helped with the album. Her husband, Nathaniel Brown, co-wrote a song with her brothers Randy and Tito. Tito also wrote a song with his wife.

The most popular song from the album was the title track, "Centipede". This song sold over a million copies! Her brother Michael wrote, arranged, and produced it. Michael and The Weather Girls also sang backing vocals on the song. "Centipede" reached number 4 on the Black Singles Chart. It was a big success for Rebbie.

The album also included cover songs by other artists like Prince and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. Music critics had different opinions about the album. Jet magazine said Centipede showed Rebbie was a "legitimate recording artist." With this album, Rebbie was the last of her siblings to start a recording career and have a hit song.

Rebbie later shared that there were talks about whether she should use the Jackson name professionally. At first, she didn't want to use her maiden name. But she later decided it was silly to deny her family background. She did make a compromise on the Centipede album cover. She explained, "Rebbie is large and Jackson is small." She also said that the success of Michael and Janet helped her career. She didn't have to worry about people not knowing her name.

Reaction and R U Tuff Enuff Albums

Reaction was Rebbie's second album, released in October 1986. It was recorded at her brother Tito's studio. Tito helped produce Reaction along with other musicians. The album featured duets with singers like Robin Zander from Cheap Trick and Isaac Hayes.

The song "You Send the Rain Away" with Robin Zander was released as a single. The most popular song from the album was the title track, "Reaction". It reached number 16 on the R&B singles chart.

Rebbie's third album, R U Tuff Enuff, came out in July 1988. Rebbie was more involved in making this album than her previous ones. She said the album had a different sound and was "more versatile." It also had a lot of dance music. Two songs from the album became singles: "Plaything", which reached the top 10, and the title track "R U Tuff Enuff". After this album, Rebbie took a break from releasing new music. During this time, she performed around the world.

Returning to Music with Yours Faithfully

After a seven-year break, Rebbie returned to music in 1995. She sang a cover of Bob Dylan's "Forever Young" for the movie Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home. Later, she signed with her brother Michael's record label, MJJ Music.

Her album Yours Faithfully was released on March 31, 1998. This was her first album in 10 years. It included a new version of her hit song "Centipede." Rebbie wasn't sure about including the old song at first. But she decided it would be a good way to return to music, especially since her son Austin added a rap to it. Her other two children, Stacee and Yashi, also sang backing vocals on the album.

Her brother Michael wrote and produced the song "Fly Away" for the album. He also helped produce the whole album. The album also featured a duet with Spanky Williams on the song "I Don't Want to Lose You." The title track, "Yours Faithfully", was released as a single.

Remembering Michael Jackson

Rebbie's brother Michael passed away on June 25, 2009. His memorial service was held 12 days later. At the end of the service, Michael's siblings, including Rebbie, and his children sang "We Are the World" and "Heal the World." After the service, Rebbie thanked fans for their support.

In early 2011, Rebbie announced she was working on a new album. It would be her first new music in 14 years. She also performed concerts across the U.S. She sang her own popular songs, some of her brothers' songs, and classic Motown songs.

Rebbie Jackson's Personal Life

When Rebbie was 18, she wanted to marry her childhood sweetheart, Nathaniel Brown, in November 1968. This caused some disagreement in the Jackson family. Rebbie loved Nathaniel and wanted to move with him to Kentucky. Her mother, Katherine, supported her, believing that being a wife and mother was important.

However, her father, Joseph, did not want her to marry. He wanted Rebbie to become a singer like her brothers. He felt that getting married would stop her from having a successful career in entertainment. Rebbie had taken music and dance lessons as a child. But she was not very interested in a music career. She said that having a happy home was more comforting than the uncertain life of show business.

After several weeks of arguments, her father finally agreed to let Rebbie marry Nathaniel. But he refused to walk her down the aisle. Nathaniel Brown passed away from cancer on January 6, 2013.

Rebbie and Nathaniel Brown had three children:

• Stacee Brown (born May 5, 1971)
• Yashi Brown (born October 5, 1977)
• Austin Brown (born November 22, 1985)

Rebbie Jackson's Music Albums

Albums

Singles

See also

In Spanish: Rebbie Jackson para niños