1. The Jackson 5 Biggest pop music phenomenon of the 1970s
Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon & Michael
Randy replaced Jermaine in 1975
Sold over 100 million records
2nd only to the Beatles as most successful “boy band” in history
The height of their popularity ranged from their introduction in 1969 until 1972
Still popular after 1972, but their records didn’t sell nearly as well as in those three years

2. Auditioned for Motown by performing James Brown’s I Got the Feeling
1st single – I Want You Back (#1, 1970)
Their next 3 singles in 1970 went #1 as well
ABC, The Love You Save, & I’ll Be There
Mama’s Pearl & Never Can Say Goodbye both reached the Top 5
Within their first year of production, the group was the focus of Motown marketing
By 1971, The Jackson 5 was everywhere

3. Most of their hits from 1972 & beyond were Top 20
They were on the radio, lunchboxes, magazine covers, & had their own cartoon
Most of their hits from 1972 & beyond were Top 20
Dancing Machine (1974) popularized “The Robot” as a dance
Part of the decline of the Jacksons’ popularity can be blamed on Motown (and Gordy’s) refusal to update their image
Wanted the older guys to keep relationships (even marriage) secret; wanted Michael to continue to act child-like
1976 – The Jacksons let their contract expire w/ Motown & signed w/ CBS records
Had to change their name to The Jacksons, Jermaine remained w/ Motown and Randy joined the group

4. 1979 – Michael Jackson releases Off the Wall, begins solo career
After 2 years at CBS, they sign w/ Epic Records to have creative control of their music
1979 – Michael Jackson releases Off the Wall, begins solo career
1982 – Thriller is released & becomes the biggest selling album of all time (110 million)
7 of the 9 tracks were released as singles
All 7 songs made the Top 10 on the pop chart
Won a record 8 Grammy Awards
Michael recorded on Victory (1984) but left the group before 2300 Jackson Street (1989) (he and Marlon only appeared on the title track)
1997 – The Jackson 5 (all 6 members) inducted into the RRHoF
2009 – remaining members of the group provided background vocals on the song This Is It after Michael died

5. The Decline of Motown
Motown still had a number of successful artists signed to the label in the late 1970s & 1980s, including Lionel Richie and the Commodores, Rick James & Debarge
June 1988 – Gordy sells ownership in Motown to MCA for $81 million
During the 1990s, Motown was home to recording artists such as Stevie Wonder, Boyz II Men and Johnny Gill, even though the label was still in turmoil
2005 – Motown bought and absorbed by Universal Records