Jackie Jackson: From Jackson 5 Icon To Music Industry Leader
Discover the incredible career of Jackie Jackson, from his rise to fame with the Jackson 5 and The Jacksons to his solo albums, songwriting success, and work as a record label founder and mentor.
Aug 15, 20251.4K Shares128.7K Views
Jackie Jackson grew up with music in his heart from a young age. He rose to fame as a founding member of the legendary Jackson 5, where his distinct high tenor voice added a special sparkle to their chart-toppers like I Want You Back and ABC. Over time, his role expanded, not just singing, but also songwriting and taking on more lead vocals during the group's Epic years. Alongside music, Jackie later launched his own record labels and continued making an impact behind the scenes.
Early Life
Sigmund Esco "Jackie" Jackson was born on May 4, 1951, in Gary, Indiana, on his mother Katherine's 21st birthday. His grandfather, Samuel Jackson, gave him the nickname "Jackie." He was the second child and the oldest of the Jackson brothers in a family of ten children. The Jacksons lived in a modest two-bedroom house in Gary, an industrial city near Chicago. His father, Joe Jackson, worked at a steel mill and played guitar in a local R&B band called the Falcons. His mother, Katherine, was a talented musician who played the clarinet, cello, and piano. She was a Jehovah's Witness and played a significant role in her children's musical development. Jackie and his siblings were raised in a strict yet supportive environment that emphasized both spiritual values and musical discipline.
Career
Jackie Jackson began his music career in the mid-1960s as a founding member of the Jackson 5, alongside his brothers Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael. The group started performing locally in Gary, Indiana, before signing with Motown Records in 1969. At Motown, they quickly rose to fame with chart-topping hits like “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” and “The Love You Save,” with Jackie contributing co-lead and backing vocals. His high tenor voice and stage presence became an important part of the group’s sound and image.
In 1976, the brothers left Motown for CBS Records and began performing as the Jacksons. Jackie’s role expanded beyond singing—he also started writing songs. He co-wrote “Can You Feel It” with Michael Jackson, which became a worldwide hit in 1981, and sang lead on tracks like “Enjoy Yourself.” During the group’s Victory album era in 1984, Jackie led the song “Wait” and wrote “Torture.” Even after injuring his knee during rehearsals for the Victory Tour, he continued to perform in several shows until the end of the tour, which marked Michael Jackson’s departure from the group.
Jackie also pursued a solo career. His first solo album, Jackie Jackson, was released by Motown in 1973. His second album, Be the One, came out in 1989 under Polydor Records and reached number 89 on the US R&B charts, with singles like “Stay” becoming Top 40 R&B hits.
In the 2000s, Jackie moved into music production and business. In 2002, he founded Jesco Records and Futurist Entertainment, based in Las Vegas. In 2009, he appeared with his brothers Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon in the reality TV series The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty, which he also executive produced. In 2012, the brothers reunited for the Unity Tour, their first tour together since 1984. Jackie later launched the record label Critically Amused, signing and mentoring new acts such as Gold Lemonade and D.B.L., continuing his active role in the music industry.
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