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The Jackson family is an American family of musicians who originated in Gary, Indiana and later relocated to Encino, California. Performing as members of The Jackson 5 and as solo artists, the children of Joseph Walter and Katherine Esther Jackson influenced and shaped the sound of popular music. As a group, the eldest sons Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael, set the family on a path of musical success that spread among siblings Rebbie, La Toya, Randy, and Janet. The acclaim of The Jackson 5 led the group to become known as the "First Family of Soul"; the continued success of Michael and Janet's careers as solo artists led the Jacksons to become known as the "Royal Family of Pop".^[1][2] Eight of the nine Jackson siblings (excluding La Toya) have gold records to their credits.^[3]

Members of the Jackson family have been the subject of heavily publicized controversies and legal imbroglios, most notably allegations of child abuse against Michael in 1993, his criminal trial in 2005, and Janet's controversial Super Bowl halftime performance in 2004. Some Jackson siblings have, at various times, publicly criticized one another and alleged abuse at the hands of their father.^[4][5] In spite of these circumstances and other troubles, the Jacksons have continued to be praised for shaping the world of entertainment with some of the siblings' own children taking the spotlight in various careers. In recent years, certain members of the family have been honored for their work: in 1997 The Jackson 5 were inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Michael would follow the group to the hall in 2001. In 2002, Joseph was acknowledged as "the best musical manager of all time" by the Hall in Cleveland. The Jacksons, Michael and Janet all received stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1980, 1984 and 1990 respectively.

Michael died on June 25, 2009, just weeks before he was to begin a series of 50 comeback concerts.

In 2009 a new series from A&E Entitled The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty premiered documenting the Jackson brothers dealing with the loss of Michael and Preparing for a Jackson 5 Reunion tour.

[edit] First generation

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Joseph Walter Jackson was born on July 26, 1929 in Fountain Hill, Arkansas. Joseph's family were descended of both African slaves and Choctaw Indians.^{[citation needed]} When Joe was twelve, his parents split up and Joe and his father, Samuel Jackson, moved to Oakland. After graduating from high school, Joe left California, where he had a short career as a boxer, and moved to East Chicago, Indiana to take care of his mother. It was there that he met Katherine Scruse (born May 4, 1930), an Alabama native who was raised in East Chicago from age four. Katherine's family came from Alabama and are descended of African slaves and Cherokee Indians.^{[citation needed]} The couple married on November 5, 1949 and moved into a two-room house of 2300 Jackson St. (near Roosevelt Park) in Gary, Indiana, which they bought for $800. During his early years in Gary, Joe formed a rhythm and blues band called The Falcons. His performance career lasted a brief two years. Joe then took up work as a crane operator for the U.S. Steel Company, before eventually managing his sons' careers. As of 2009, Joseph and Katherine Jackson have twenty-seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

[edit] Second generation

Together Joseph and Katherine had ten children. Son Brandon died at birth. The other nine grew up to become professional musicians:

• Maureen Reillette "Rebbie" Jackson (born May 29, 1950)
• Sigmund Esco "Jackie" Jackson (born May 4, 1951)
• Toriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson (born October 15, 1953)
• Jermaine La Jaune Jackson (born December 11, 1954)
• La Toya Yvonne Jackson (born May 29, 1956)
• Marlon David Jackson (born March 12, 1957)
• Brandon Jackson (born/died March 12, 1957)
• Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009)
• Steven Randall "Randy" Jackson (born October 29, 1961)
• Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966)

Joseph has an illegitimate daughter with a woman named Cheryl Terrell:^[6]

• Joh'Vonnie Jackson (born August 30, 1974), a flight attendant.^[6]

[edit] Third generation

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• Rebbie Jackson and Nathaniel Brown have three children:

1. Stacee Brown (b. May 6, 1971) - married to Rex Salas, together have son London Blue Salas born 2005.^[7]
2. Yashi Brown (b. October 18, 1977) -
3. Austin "Auggie" Brown (b. November 22, 1985) - Auggie is a singer-songwriter and musician

• Jackie Jackson and Enid Spann had two children:

1. Sigmund Esco Jackson, Jr. ("Siggy") (b. June 29, 1977) - Siggy, is a rapper and avid motorcyclist
2. Brandi Jackson (b. February 6, 1982) - an adopted child

• Tito Jackson and Delores "Dee Dee" Martez had three children:

1. Toriano Adaryll Jackson, Jr. ("Taj") (b. August 4, 1973) - member of the group 3T
2. Taryll Adren Jackson (b. August 8, 1975) - member of the group 3T
3. Tito Joe Jackson ("TJ") (b. July 16, 1978) - member of the group 3T - has son Royalty, born 2000.^[8]

• Jermaine Jackson and Hazel Gordy had three children:

1. Jermaine La Jaune Jackson, Jr. ("Jay") (b. January 27, 1977)
2. Autumn Joy Jackson (b. July 10, 1978)
3. Jaimy Jackson (b. March 17, 1987)

• Jermaine Jackson and Margaret Maldonado never legally married but had two children:

1. Jeremy Maldonado Jackson (b. December 16, 1986)
2. Jourdynn Michael Jackson (b. October 7, 1989)

• Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Oaziaza had two children:

1. Jaafar Jackson (b. July 25, 1996)
2. Jermajesty Jackson (b. October 7, 2000)

• Marlon Jackson and Carol Parker have three children:

1. Valencia Jackson (b. 1976)
2. Brittany Jackson (b. 1978)
3. Marlon David Jackson, Jr. (b. September 23, 1981) - "Chye Beats", currently is a member of a hip-hop duo

• Michael Jackson and Deborah Jeanne Rowe had two children:

1. Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr. ("Prince") (b. February 13, 1997)
2. Paris Michael Katherine Jackson (b. April 3, 1998)

• Michael Jackson and an unidentified woman (reportedly a surrogate) had one child:

1. Prince Michael Jackson II ("Blanket") (b. February 21, 2002)

• Randy Jackson and Eliza Shaffe had one child:

1. Steveanna Jackson (b. June 17, 1990)

• Randy Jackson and Alejandra Oaziaza had three children:

1. Genevieve Jackson (b. December 3, 1989)
2. Donte Jackson (b. June 3, 1992)
3. Steven Randall Jackson, Jr. (b. October 2, 1991)

• Joh'Vonnie Jackson has a daughter:

1. Yasmine Zaaharah Jackson^[9]

[edit] See also

• DeBarge family

[edit] References