The Week of August 27th, 2006: IN BLACK HISTORY
WORLD'S GREATEST ENTERTAINER
MICHAEL JOSEPH JACKSON
CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY EVERYDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE KING OF POP

Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, on August 29, 1958, the second youngest brother of seven and the eighth of ten by Joseph and Katherine. Jackson began his career early first singing at a school recital around the age of five and joined his older brothers as a percussionist in the then known The Jackson Brothers. In 1966, after taking co-lead singing duties with brother Jermaine, the group's name was changed to The Jackson 5. The group played local clubs and bars, building up a following and eventually signing a contract with Motown Records in March 1969. The group hit stardom with their first four singles charting at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Jackson also released and charted many solo hit singles as part of the Jackson 5 franchise including the hits "Got to Be There", "Ben", and a remake of Bobby Day's "Rockin' Robin".

The group's sales declined after 1973, and the group chafed under Motown's strict refusal to allow the Jacksons creative control or input. In 1976, the group signed a new contract with CBS Records (first joining the Philadelphia International division and later moving over to Epic Records). Upon learning that the Jackson 5 had signed a contract with another label, Motown sued the group for breach of contract.

As a result of the legal proceedings, which were complicated by the fact that Jermaine Jackson had just married the daughter of Motown president Berry Gordy, the Jacksons lost the rights to use the "Jackson 5" name and logo and also lost Jermaine, who wanted to stay in Motown. They changed their name to simply "The Jacksons" featuring youngest brother Randy in Jermaine's place, continued their successful career, touring internationally, and releasing six albums between 1976 and 1984.....read more

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REST IN PEACE: (R.I.P.)