Jackson 5
The Jackson 5’s first four songs went to number 1, a rare accomplishment. Uploaded by Opescador to Photobucket.com.
The Jackson 5 (later just The Jacksons) recorded or performed together, with various family members in the group, for more than 25 years. But it was the six years that the group was with Motown Records that we remember and celebrate. Talk about starting with a bang – the first four songs the group released on the Motown label went to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
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The 5, at their peak, were Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Jackie, and Michael. Originally from Gary, Indiana, the group moved to California when they signed with Motown. And while music more relevant to the black experience was beginning to come from such artists as Marvin Gaye and James Brown, the Jackson 5 got their start with what some called “bubblegum soul.” Here’s a list of some of their hits from the Motown era:
- “I Want You Back” (#1, 1969)
- “ABC” (#1, 1969)
- “The Love You Save” (#1, 1969)
- “I’ll Be There” (#1, 1970)
- “Mama’s Pearl” (#2, 1971)
- “Never Can Say Goodbye” (#2, 1971)
- “Sugar Daddy” (#10, 1971)
- “Little Bitty Pretty One” (#13, 1972)
- “Dancing Machine” (#2, 1974)
By the way, you may have heard that the Jacksons were discovered by Diana Ross. Pure public relations fiction. Berry Gordy wanted to link the group to a successful act, so his initial press kits included a story about how Ross (or Ross and Berry, the story changed) saw the group at a fundraiser and signed them up. Their first album was even titled Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5. Moral of the story: Don’t believe everything you hear. As if you needed to be reminded of that. The Jackson 5 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.