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This article is about the musician. For the association football player, see Marlon Jackson (footballer). For the American Football player, see Marlin Jackson.

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Marlon Jackson
File:Marlon Jackson 2013.jpg
Jackson in 2013
Born
Marlon David Jackson

(1957-03-12) March 12, 1957 (age 67)
Gary, Indiana, U.S.
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • dancer
Years active1964–present
Spouse
Carol Parker
(m. 1975)
Children3
Parents
  • Joe Jackson
  • Katherine Jackson
FamilyJackson
Page Module:Infobox/styles.css has no content.Musical career
Genres
InstrumentsVocals
Labels
  • Steeltown
  • Motown
  • Epic
  • Capitol

Marlon David Jackson (born March 12, 1957) is an American entertainer, singer, and dancer, best known as a member of the Jackson 5. He is the sixth child of the Jackson family. Marlon now runs Study Peace Foundation to promote peace and unity worldwide.

Early life[]

Marlon David Jackson was born on March 12, 1957, at St Mary's Mercy Hospital in Gary, Indiana,[1] the sixth child of Joseph who was a steel mill worker, and played in an R&B band, The Falcons, with his brother Luther, and Katherine Jackson, a devout Jehovah's Witness. He was born around seventeen and a half months before his younger brother Michael (born August 29, 1958). Growing up, Marlon was especially close to Michael, whom he considered the substitute for his lost twin brother, Brandon, who died shortly after birth. Marlon and Michael were a fun team. “We were the jokers of the family," Marlon said. They would often get in trouble, but they stuck together.[2][3]

By 1964, Marlon and Michael joined their brothers Tito, Jackie and Jermaine, forming the group The Jackson 5. Mother, Katherine played the piano and clarinet, and sang harmonies with the brothers, while strict father, Joe led the rehearsals, keeping them off the street and away from trouble. Soon they won singing competitions all over the state including New York, and that marked the beginning of their career.[4] Because of their name The Jackson 5, Randy Jackson the youngest Jackson brother didn't make the cut, but he was later included in the TV program “The Jacksons” in 1976 as well as some performances. Marlon was known as “the dancingest Jackson”, cause of his flamboyant dance moves, a name he himself came up with. While Marlon was not the most prominent member of The Jackson 5, he did sing lead vocals on many of their hits, and that made him an invaluable part of the group. Marlon also played the conga and tambourine. Marlon has three sisters; Rebbie, La Toya and Janet.[5][4][6][7]

Career[]

Main article: The Jackson 5

The Jackson 5[]

File:Jackson 5 1974.jpg

Marlon and his brothers (1972)

Marlon and his brothers first signed as the Jackson 5 with Gordon Keith of Steeltown Records in November 1967, and their first single "Big Boy", was released on January 31, 1968.[8] After the group recorded three more songs with the Steeltown label (on two records) they were signed with Berry Gordy of Motown Records in 1969.[9] Not feeling that they were being paid fair royalties by Motown Records for their success as well as their desire for creative control, the Jackson 5 decided to leave the label and sign with Epic Records in 1975.[10] Jermaine split from the Jackson Five to start a solo career at Motown, and was replaced by his brother Randy Jackson.[11] Unbeknownst to the group, Gordy had trademarked the name The Jackson Five and did not allow the group to continue using the name when they left the label.[11] Once signed with Epic, the group became known simply as The Jacksons. In 1983, Gordy asked the group to perform at the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever television special.[12] In 1997 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 with his brothers. In 2001, he reunited with his brothers to perform for the Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Special.[13]

Solo career[]

Like Michael and Jermaine, Marlon began a solo career, releasing the album Baby Tonight In 1987. Despite Baby Tonight reaching No. 22 on the Top R&B Albums chart in the United States, Marlon has not released another album since then.[2]

Later work[]

Unlike many of his brothers, Marlon left the music industry. For many years, he was successful within real estate in Southern California, however entertainment was certainly Marlon's calling. In 1999, Marlon started running the Major Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) along with noted Florida attorney and philanthropist Willie E. Gary, former all-star baseball player Cecil Fielder, four-time heavyweight boxing champ Evander Holyfield, and broadcast television veteran Alvin James. MBC was primarily a religious network based in Atlanta, but on October 1, 2004, they rebranded as Black Family Channel. In May 2007, the Black Family Channel was sold to the Gospel Music Channel, now known as Up TV.[5] In 2008, Marlon and a board of new partners founded the Motherland Group, LLC bringing awareness and recognition to Badagry, Nigeria. Its main goal was to preserve African history, and develop the ancient city into a destination for tourism and education.[14]

Marlon now runs Study Peace Foundation, founded in 2015, aimed to promote peace and unity in communities worldwide offering programs designed to engage children, adults and the elderly to live in peaceful environments. “As a community we all should know that promoting peace and unity would cause a chain reaction that children will observe. It all starts with what we make accessible to the children,” he said. The foundation went into a partnership with KaBOOM! (non-profit organization) to build playgrounds in New Orleans, Gary and Los Angeles.[15]

Personal life[]

Family[]

In August 1975, 18-year-old Jackson married his girlfriend, Carol Ann Parker, whom he met in New Orleans during one of the Jacksons' tours. Marlon and Parker have three children:[16]

  • Valencia Caroline Jackson (born December 18, 1976)
  • Brittany Shauntee Jackson (born September 4, 1978)
  • Marlon David Jackson, Jr. (born September 23, 1981)

Marlon and Carol have six grandchildren, two from Valencia and four from Brittany.

Michael's memorial[]

On July 7, 2009, at Crypto.com Arena, Marlon and his family offered their final eulogies for Michael, saying he was the "soul" of the family, and breaking down as he tearfully addressed the crowd: "Maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone"[17] and "I would like for you to give our brother, my twin brother, Brandon, a hug for me."[18] Marlon fought back tears as he said, "I love you, Michael, and I'll miss you.".[17] In honor of Michael, Marlon and his brothers, Tito, Jackie, Jermaine and Randy Jackson served as pallbearers wearing a gold necktie, a single white glove and sunglasses.[19]

In a 2019 Rolling Stone interview, Marlon was vocal about the allegations against his brother Michael saying, “if your brother was deceased and someone wanted to slander his name, you’d be supporting him. That’s not him. That’s not his character. We definitely know our brother, and there are no facts whatsoever to corroborate these allegations." He continues, "the people that love Michael Jackson, that know Michael Jackson, like we do as a family, they’re not going to believe that story. It’s a quick money grab. That’s all it is."[20]

Discography[]

See also: The Jackson 5 discography

Studio albums[]

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[21]
US R&B
[21]
Baby Tonight
  • Released July 1987
  • Label: Capitol
  • Formats: LP, CD
175 22

Singles[]

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US R&B
[22]
"(Let Your Love Find) The Chosen One"[23] 1986 The Golden Child
"Baby Tonight" 1987 57 Baby Tonight
"Don't Go" 2
"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart.

Other contributions[]

  • 1980: La Toya JacksonLa Toya Jackson[24]
  • 1981: My Special LoveLa Toya Jackson[25]
  • 1983: Wright Back at YouBetty Wright[26]
  • 1983: RespectBilly Griffin[27]
  • 1984: Heart Don't LieLa Toya Jackson[28]
  • 1984: Dream StreetJanet Jackson[29]
  • 1985: "We Are the World" – USA for Africa[30]
  • 1986: The Golden Child Soundtrack.[31]
  • 1989: 2300 Jackson StreetThe Jacksons featuring Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Rebbie Jackson and Marlon Jackson.[32]

References[]

  1. "Abandoned: St. Mary's Mercy Hospital". June 30, 2013.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Marlon Jackson facts: Jackson 5 singer's age, wife, children and career revealed".
  3. "Marlon Jackson: 'Michael and I were the jokers of the family'". Belfasttelegraph.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "The Jackson 5: Who They Were and What Happened to Them". February 19, 2022.
  5. 5.0 5.1 "What Happened to Marlon Jackson? - News and Updates". July 22, 2016.
  6. "The Jacksons: 'It was Michael's body, and he did what he wanted to look how he wanted to look'".
  7. "Great dynasties of the world: The Jacksons". TheGuardian.com. September 2, 2011.
  8. Independent Record Labels Of Indiana. 45 RPM Records
  9. "History 60–68 | The Jacksons | The Official Website". Thejacksons.com.
  10. "History 1975 | The Jacksons | The Official Website". Thejacksons.com.
  11. 11.0 11.1 "Biography: Jermaine Jackson Lifetime". Archived from the original on January 30, 2016.
  12. "History 1980 | The Jacksons | The Official Website". Thejacksons.com.
  13. "Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration". IMDb.com. November 13, 2001.
  14. "Michael Jackson's brothers to perform Jackson 5's greatest hits at L.A. County Fair". September 3, 2013.
  15. "Marlon Jackson discusses his Study Peace Foundation". June 14, 2015.
  16. "Jackson source".
  17. 17.0 17.1 Maria Puente, "At Jackson Memorial, Tears, Cheers and 'I Love You, Michael Jackson,'" USA Today, July 8, 2009.
  18. "Archived copy". NME. Archived from the original on July 9, 2009. Retrieved July 9, 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link), Retrieved on 2009-07-09.
  19. "Honoring the White Glove". CBS News.
  20. "Jackson Family Members Speak Out Against 'Leaving Neverland' Doc: 'It's About the Money'". Rolling Stone. February 28, 2019.
  21. 21.0 21.1 "Marlon Jackson". Allmusic. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  22. "Jackie Jackson". Allmusic.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2015. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  23. "(Let Your Love Find) The Chosen One" Discogs.com
  24. "La Toya Jackson - la Toya Jackson Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  25. "La Toya Jackson - My Special Love Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  26. "Betty Wright - Wright Back at You Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  27. "Billy Griffin - Respect Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  28. "La Toya Jackson - Heart Don't Lie Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  29. "Janet Jackson - Dream Street Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  30. Breskin, David (2004). We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song' (booklet). Image Entertainment, Inc.
  31. "Marlon Jackson - (Let Your Love Find) the Chosen One". Discogs.
  32. "The Jacksons - 2300 Jackson Street Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic.

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