The Jackson 5 were one of the biggest pop groups of the 1970s, propelling Michael Jackson to stardom. Formed in the mid-1960s, the group consisted of brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael Jackson. They had major hits with songs like “I Want You Back”, “ABC”, “I’ll Be There” and “Never Can Say Goodbye” before Michael went solo in the late 1970s. So why did this incredibly successful family music group end up splitting in the late 1970s and early 1980s? There are a few key factors that contributed to the breakup of the Jackson 5.
Motown Disputes
The Jackson 5 were signed to Motown Records from 1969 to 1975. They achieved great success with Motown, but tensions grew as Michael’s solo career took off. By 1975, the group was dissatisfied with their Motown contracts and royalty rate. They felt that Motown did not allow them creative freedom and was keeping too much of their profits. The Jacksons sought more control over their recordings and publishing rights.
Leaving Motown
In 1976, the Jackson 5 left Motown Records and signed a deal with Epic Records. However, they had to change their name since Motown owned the name “The Jackson 5.” At Epic, the band became known as “The Jacksons.” Jermaine Jackson stayed with Motown instead of leaving with his brothers due to his marriage to Motown founder Berry Gordy’s daughter Hazel. So while Michael and the other brothers signed with Epic as The Jacksons, Jermaine began a solo career at Motown.
Michael’s Solo Success
As Michael Jackson’s phenomenal solo career took off in the late 1970s and 1980s, that inevitably had an impact on the group. Michael’s 1979 album Off the Wall and especially 1982’s Thriller brought him unprecedented worldwide fame. As Michael spent more time on his solo projects, the brothers continued on as The Jacksons, but tensions arose over Michael’s stardom.
Triumph and Victory Tours
The Jacksons did continue recording and touring in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They released six albums on Epic, including the hits “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)” and “Can You Feel It.” However, Michael was not as involved in these albums. The brothers hoped to unite with Michael again for their Triumph and Victory tours, but he was only involved part-time due to his solo projects. His limited involvement signaled that Michael was more dedicated to his own career.
Business and Creative Differences
Beyond Michael’s fame, tensions were growing among the brothers over business decisions and creative differences.
Royalties and Earnings
Disputes arose over royalty payments, songwriting credits, and compensation. Michael wanted more control over the group’s business side and sought higher royalty rates than his brothers. There were differing opinions over management and deals.
Creative Vision
The brothers also clashed over the musical direction of the band. Michael wanted more creative control and had a different vision for how they should progress. He was moving in a more cutting-edge direction as the music industry evolved in the 1980s, while his brothers wanted a more traditional R&B sound. These creative differences added to the tensions.
End of the Jacksons
By 1984, Michael Jackson was the biggest pop star on the planet after Thriller. However, his commitments to solo projects meant he had little time for the band. After the Victory Tour in 1984, Michael formally left the group. The remaining Jackson brothers continued on for a few more years, releasing the album 2300 Jackson Street in 1989. But without Michael, the Jacksons had dissolved for good by 1990.
Key Factors in the Split
– Michael’s phenomenal solo success and stardom
– Creative differences between Michael and his brothers
– Disputes over business decisions, management and royalties
– Michael wanting more control and to pursue his own vision
While Michael reunited with his brothers for a few performances over the years, the days of the Jacksons as a group were over. Their legacy, however, lives on through their classic songs and influence on music. Michael’s unprecedented fame as a solo artist was a significant factor that led to the Jacksons’ split, but internal creative and business tensions also contributed to the family group going their separate ways in the 1980s.
Where Are They Now?
Here’s a brief look at what each of the Jackson brothers went on to do after the breakup of the Jacksons:
Michael Jackson
– Continued with his massively successful solo career, releasing more hit albums like Bad, Dangerous and HIStory
– Became one of the best-selling artists of all time before his death in 2009
– Pursued other creative projects like film and stage performances
Jermaine Jackson
– Continued releasing solo music with Motown into the 1990s
– Appeared on reality shows like Celebrity Big Brother
– Performed occasionally with his brothers over the years
Jackie Jackson
– Released a few solo albums with limited success
– Toured and performed with his brothers sometimes
-acted in a few films
Tito Jackson
– Played guitar on other artists’ albums
– Formed a blues band called the Tito Jackson Band
– Appeared on various reality shows with his brothers
Marlon Jackson
– Acted in guest roles on TV shows throughout the 1980s and 90s
– Formed a record label called Young Nation
– Made cameo appearances with his brothers over the years
So while each brother pursued various solo projects to varying degrees of success, their paths clearly diverged after the Jacksons disbanded in the 1980s. But their legacy lives on as one of the greatest family groups and hitmakers in pop history, even if their time together was ultimately cut short.
Conclusion
The Jackson 5 rose to fame quickly in the late 1960s and early 1970s, becoming a pop phenomenon. But by the mid-1980s, tensions boiled over and the brothers went their separate ways. Michael Jackson’s meteoric solo success inevitably took focus away from the group. But creative differences and business disputes were also instrumental in the band’s demise. Each brother went on to varying solo careers, but never recaptured the magic of their early days as a cohesive hitmaking group. Still, the Jackson 5 remain icons of pop music and their timeless songs live on. Their on-stage chemistry and off-stage frictions make for a fascinating story of family, fame, talent and tragedy.