The Jackson 5

The Jackson 5, later known as the The Jacksons, are an American popular music family group. Founding group members Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael formed the group after performing in an early incarnation called The Jackson Brothers, which originally consisted of a trio of the three older brothers.

Active from 1964 to 1990, the Jacksons played from a repertoire of R&B, soul, pop and disco. During their six-and-a-half-year Motown tenure, The Jackson 5 were one of the biggest pop-music acts of the 1970s, and the band served as the launching pad for the solo careers of their lead singers Jermaine and Michael. The Jackson 5/The Jacksons has sold 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the best selling artists of all time.

The Jackson 5 had their first four major label singles "I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save", and "I'll Be There" reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100. Other singles, "Mama's Pearl", "Never Can Say Goodbye" and "Dancing Machine" were Top 5 pop hits and number-one hits on the R&B singles chart.

During the 70s, they continued to have a number of hits such as "Enjoy Yourself", "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)", "Show You the Way to Go", and "Blame It on the Boogie". Their success continued into the 1980s with hits such as "Can You Feel It", "This Place Hotel", "Lovely One", and "State of Shock".

In 1984, all six Jackson brothers reunited to make the album Victory. The album was only modestly successful. Three singles were released from the album; "State of Shock", which features Mick Jagger, "Torture" and "Body". "Torture" peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 26 on the United Kingdom charts.

Michael left the band to continue his solo career after the tour, Marlon left to pursue a business career outside music and the other brothers took on solo projects. Most of them would appear with Michael on the U.S.A. For Africa single "We Are the World" in 1985.

Their 1989 album 2300 Jackson Street was recorded without Michael and Marlon, although they did appear on the title track. "Nothin' (That Compares 2 U)" reached No. 4 on the US Billboard R&B Singles chart.

The group has never formally broken up, but has been dormant since then, although all six brothers performed together at two Michael Jackson tribute concerts in September 2001. After Michael's death in June 2009, the group announced a 2012 reunion tour, The Unity Tour, although Randy did not take part.