The Jackson 5 didn't just fall out of the sky with matching vests and perfect afros. Before they were a global brand, they were five brothers in a tiny house at 2300 Jackson Street in Gary, Indiana. If you ask most people today who is in the Jackson five, they'll probably shout "Michael!" and then start humming "ABC." But the group’s actual makeup changed more than you might realize, especially when they jumped ship from Motown to Epic.
It started with a broken guitar string. Joe Jackson, a crane operator and frustrated musician, caught his son Tito playing his guitar without permission. Instead of just getting grounded, Tito showed he could actually play. Joe realized he had a goldmine in his living room.
The Classic Motown Five
When the world first met them in 1969, the lineup was locked in. This is the "definitive" version of the group that people usually mean when they talk about the Jackson 5.
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- Jackie Jackson: The eldest brother. He was the high tenor and often handled the athletic choreography that kept the group's stage presence so high-energy.
- Tito Jackson: The quiet one with the guitar. While Motown famously used studio musicians (The Funk Brothers) for the actual recordings, Tito was the backbone of their live sound.
- Jermaine Jackson: Before Michael took over completely, Jermaine was the co-lead singer. He played the bass and had a soulful, deeper tone that balanced out Michael's youthful energy.
- Marlon Jackson: Often called the "Dancingest Jackson." He was the one who worked the hardest to keep up with the choreography, and honestly, his energy was infectious.
- Michael Jackson: The youngest of the original five and the breakout star. Even at eleven years old, he had the vocal control of a seasoned pro.
The 1975 Shake-up: Enter Randy
Success at Motown was a double-edged sword. The brothers wanted to write their own songs, but Berry Gordy’s hit factory didn't work like that. In 1975, the group decided to leave for Epic Records (a division of CBS).
This is where things got messy.
Jermaine Jackson had married Hazel Gordy—Berry Gordy’s daughter. Talk about an awkward Thanksgiving. Because of his family ties to Motown, Jermaine stayed behind to pursue a solo career. Since Motown owned the name "The Jackson 5," the brothers had to rename themselves The Jacksons.
To fill the gap, the youngest brother, Randy Jackson, officially joined the lineup. Randy had been playing percussion on the sidelines for years, but now he was front and center. If you’re looking at photos from the late 70s like the Destiny or Triumph eras, you’re looking at Jackie, Tito, Marlon, Michael, and Randy.
Wait, there are more Jacksons?
Yes. The family had nine children in total, but not all of them were in the "Five."
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Rebbie, the oldest sister, never officially joined the group, though she had a successful solo career later (remember "Centipede"?). La Toya and Janet often appeared on the brothers' variety shows or sang backup, but they were never part of the core quintet. Janet, of course, went on to become a titan of pop culture in her own right, eclipsing almost everyone except Michael.
There was also a twin brother, Brandon, who died shortly after birth. He would have been Marlon's twin. It's a somber piece of family history that people often overlook when counting the siblings.
The Victory Reunion and the End
In 1984, the group did something massive: the Victory tour. For a brief moment, it wasn't just five of them. Jermaine came back to join his brothers, making it a six-man lineup.
It was chaotic, expensive, and ultimately the end of the road. Michael was riding the Thriller wave and didn't really need the group anymore. Marlon left shortly after the tour ended. By the time they released their final album, 2300 Jackson Street, in 1989, Michael was mostly absent, only appearing on the title track.
The Legacy Today
Tito Jackson's recent passing in 2024 served as a heavy reminder of how much time has passed. The brothers—Jackie, Marlon, and Tito—had actually been touring together quite a bit over the last decade, keeping the Gary, Indiana dream alive for new generations.
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Basically, the group was a living, breathing entity that evolved. It wasn't just a static boy band; it was a family business that dealt with the same drama and growth any family does—just with more sequins and better harmonies.
If you’re building a playlist or looking for their best work, don't just stick to the early Motown hits. Check out the Destiny album from 1978. It’s the first time they had full creative control, and songs like "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" show exactly what they were capable of when the training wheels finally came off.