Jermaine Jackson
Template:Infobox musical artist 2
Jermaine LaJaune Jackson [1] (born December 11, 1954), is an American Grammy Award-nominated singer, bass guitarist, former member of The Jackson 5 and older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.
Biography
Early life
Born to parents Joseph and Katherine Jackson in Gary, Indiana, Jermaine became the original lead singer of an earlier incarnation of The Jackson Five until 1967 when younger brother Michael assisted lead vocals, but would co-lead with Michael for many years. Jermaine graduated from Birmingham High School in 1973, where the yearbook shows he was elected "most talented" and "best dressed".
Religion
Growing up as a Jehovah's Witness, he embraced Islam in 1989 after a trip to Bahrain.[2] Jermaine has publicly expressed his religious belief especially after being a part of Big Brother UK, where he prayed and fasted in the house.
Personal life
Jermaine married Hazel Gordy (daughter of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy) in 1973. Their first child Jermaine Jr. (often called Jay), was born in 1977. Their daughter Autumn was born the following year in 1978. As Jermaine and Hazel were in the midst of a divorce, their third child, son Jaimy, was born in 1987.
While still married to Hazel, Jermaine began an affair with Margaret Maldonado. After Jermaine's divorce to Hazel was finalized in 1987, Margaret and Jermaine spent eight years together. The couple had two children: Jeremy Maldonado Jackson (1986) and Jourdynn Michael Jackson (1989).
Shortly after separating from Maldonado, Jermaine abruptly married Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza in 1995. This caused much controversy as Oaziaza had dated and had two children (Genevieve & Randy Jr) with Jermaine's brother, Randy Jackson.
Joseph Jackson gave Jermaine son Donte; whom he adopted with Alejandra("Jackson Family Values", by Margret Maldonado and Richard Hack (1995)) [citation needed]. The couple had sons Jaffar(25July96)and Jermajesty in 2000. Jermaine filed for divorce in November 2004, and it was finalized in May 2008. Jermaine was only ordered to pay $50,000 for Alej's legal fees and $50,000 back child support in August 2007; in exchange for Alej waiving her spousal support [3]. However it came to light during the court hearings that Alejandra was already married to Nicholas Ray for green card purposes at the same time as being married to Jermaine which meant that the marriage between Jermaine and Alejandra was null and void [citation needed].
Jermaine married his third wife, Halima Rashid, in 2004. They alternate living between Los Angeles and the Middle East.
Career
The Jackson 5
Jermaine and his brothers signed with Motown Records in 1969. As the co-lead singer of The Jackson 5 after his brother Michael, Jermaine sang notable parts of "I Want You Back", "I'll Be There", "I Am Love", "Dancing Machine" and many other Jackson 5 songs. In 1975, after fourteen years performing with his brothers, Jermaine split from the Jackson 5 to continue his solo career at Motown Records while the other Jackson brothers left to sign with Epic Records. During the Jackson 5's last years in Motown, Jermaine didn't partake in lead vocals at all on songs such as "Hum Along and Dance", and only had a small co-lead part in the group's 1974 hit "Dancing Machine".
Solo career
Like Michael, Jermaine also began a successful solo career concurrent to his tenure in The Jackson 5, and had a hit with the 1972 Shep and the Limelites cover "Daddy's Home". When The Jackson 5 left Motown, Jermaine left the group and stayed at Motown, as he was married to Hazel Gordy, the daughter of Motown founder Berry Gordy.
Jackson was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his 1980 album Let's Get Serious. He had numerous Hot 100 Top 20 hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including "Daddy's Home" (#9), "That's How Love Goes", "Let's Be Young Tonight", "Bass Odyssey", "Feel the Fire", "Let Me Tickle Your Fancy" (featuring Devo on backing vocals) (#18), "Let's Get Serious" (#9, also only one of two of his UK hits, peaking at #8), "Dynamite" (#15), "Do What You Do" (#13), and "I Think It's Love" (#16). A duet with his brother Michael, "Tell Me I'm Not Dreamin' (Too Good to Be True)", hit #1 on the dance chart in 1984. He and Michael also collaborated with Rockwell, both providing guest vocals on his 1984 hit single, "Somebody's Watching Me". In 1985, his duet with Pia Zadora, "When the Rain Begins to Fall", topped several singles charts in Europe. His final chart success, 1989's "Don't Take It Personal", hit #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart.
In 1991 a pre-commercial release version of his song "Word to the Badd!!" (from the L.A. & Babyface-produced album "You Said,") was released to radio stations. In that version he criticized his brother Michael. During this time, Michael confronted Jermaine and the two brothers discussed the issue, with Michael asking for the song to be withdrawn from airplay. Jermaine refused and was criticized for his insult on Michael. The lyrics were re-worked for final release, making the song instead about a former lover. Several other singles were released from this album, which was the second album released on the newly-formed LaFace Records label, including "You Said, You Said," and "I Dream, I Dream." However, the album turned out to be a commercial failure due to public backlash over his cynical attack on Michael and Jackson was soon dropped from his record label. Jackson remains unsigned to any label.
Jackson is proficient on the electric guitar and various types of bass guitars.
Later life
In 1992, he produced The Jacksons: An American Dream, an award-winning and highly-rated miniseries about the history of The Jackson 5. Jermaine Jr. portrayed his father as a young teenager in the miniseries.
Jermaine Jackson currently lives in LA with his third wife Halima Rashid but travels frequently to London & Bahrain. During Michael's 2005 child-abuse trial, Jermaine was a staunch supporter of his brother. He often came to Michael's defense on CNN's Larry King Live and appeared with Michael in court on numerous occasions. Jermaine was recently in Australia as a guest judge on Australian Idol.
Celebrity Big Brother 2007
Jackson was the first housemate to enter the Celebrity Big Brother UK house in 2007. He steered clear of the controversy caused by the series, avoiding confrontation and offering moral support to fellow housemate Shilpa Shetty against alleged racist bullying from fellow housemates Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd, and Jo O'Meara.
During a task in the Big Brother house, the housemates had to create a tribute band for The Jackson 5. The performance of "I Want You Back" helped put The Jackson 5 back in the UK charts at #53.
On January 28, 2007, Jermaine came in second place to Shilpa Shetty in the Big Brother finale. Jermaine became a huge favorite in the UK and won many new fans. The final three consisted of Dirk Benedict, Jermaine Jackson, and Shilpa Shetty, the winner.
After leaving "Big Brother," Jermaine did several interviews on UK television stating why and how he took his peaceful and mediating stance in the Big Brother house. He also spoke about the Jackson 5 reuniting for a performance.
Gone Country
Jackson will be part of the second Season of the CMT reality show Gone Country. On a recent episode of Gone Country, Jackson admitted that he needs to sleep with the lights on in an exchange with roomie Sebastian Bach. When Bach probed Jackson further, Jackson said that he "sees people" from the 1800s if he sleeps with the lights off. He is possibly the only other Jackson to have psychic powers besides his sister Latoya.
Latest work
He is planning a stage show based on his family to be released in the UK. He has said that The Jacksons are recording an album and planning a family tour.
Jermaine returned to the UK in March 2007 to take part in the Channel 4 show Musicool as a mentor.
He is also currently involved in several charity projects and has been working on projects to help orphaned children around the world. Among other countries, he has visited Bangladesh as part of his work to raise funds and help children.
He has also figured heavily on the Islam Channel in the UK where he talked about his Islamic faith as well as announcing several charity projects that he plans to undertake.
In 2008, Jermaine flew to Australia to be a guest judge and mentor for the top 5 Michael Jackson night on Australian Idol.
In April 2007, Jermaine returned to the UK to take part in a one-off special of ITV's Challenge Anneka. On the same trip he appeared in Glasgow with British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, speaking in support of Searchlight magazine's anti-racism campaign, the Daily Mirror "Hope Not Hate bus".[4]
On November 23, 2007, Jermaine Jackson appeared on Katie & Peter: Unleashed and again talked of a reunion with his brothers on a tour next year.
In March 2008, Jermaine was the guest of honour at the Muslim Writers Awards in Birmingham, where he was interviewed live on stage by chat show host Sajid Varda which received rave reviews.He is now working on the next series of the Mighty Boosh, along with his brother Tito, (after Jermaine met Noel on Never Mind the Buzzcocks) as musical adviser.
Discography
Albums
Main albums
| Year | Album title | US pop | US R&B |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Jermaine | 27 | 6 |
| 1973 | Come Into My Life | 152 | 30 |
| 1975 | Do Unto Others(Unissued) | - | - |
| 1976 | My Name Is Jermaine | 164 | 29 |
| 1977 | Feel the Fire | 174 | 36 |
| 1978 | Frontiers | - | - |
| 1979 | Living(Unissued) | - | - |
| 1979 | Let's Get Serious | 6 | 1 |
| 1980 | Jermaine | 44 | 17 |
| 1981 | I Like Your Style | 86 | 31 |
| 1982 | Let Me Tickle Your Fancy | 46 | 9 |
| 1984 | Jermaine Jackson | 19 | 13 |
| 1986 | Precious Moments | 46 | 25 |
| 1989 | Don't Take It Personal | 115 | 18 |
| 1991 | You Said | - | 39 |
Compilations
| Year | Album title | US pop | US R&B |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Greatest Hits & Rare Classics | - | - |
| 2000 | The Heritage Collection | - | - |
| 2001 | Ultimate Collection | - | - |
| 2007 | Big Brother Jermaine: The Jermaine Jackson Collection | - | - |
Singles
Motown releases
| Year | Song title | US pop chart | US R&B chart | UK pop chart | Belgian pop chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | "That's How Love Goes" | 46 | 23 | - | - |
| 1973 | "Daddy's Home" | 9 | 3 | - | - |
| 1973 | "You're in Good Hands" | 79 | 35 | - | - |
| 1976 | "Let's Be Young Tonight" | 55 | 19 | - | - |
| 1977 | "You Need to Be Loved" | - | 75 | - | - |
| 1978 | "Castles of Sand" | - | 38 | - | - |
| 1980 | "Let's Get Serious" | 9 | 1 | 8 | 19 |
| 1980 | "You're Supposed to Keep Your Love for Me" | 34 | 32 | - | - |
| 1980 | "Burnin' Hot" | - | - | 32 | - |
| 1981 | "I'm Just Too Shy" | 60 | 29 | - | - |
| 1981 | "Little Girl Don't You Worry" | - | 17 | - | - |
| 1981 | "You Like Me Don't You" | 50 | 13 | 41 | - |
| 1982 | "Let Me Tickle Your Fancy" | 18 | 5 | - | - |
| 1982 | "Paradise in Your Eyes" | - | 60 | - | - |
| 1982 | "Very Special Part" | - | 54 | - | - |
Arista releases
| Year | Song title | US pop chart | US R&B chart | UK pop chart | Belgian pop chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | "Sweetest Sweetest" | - | - | 52 | - |
| 1984 | "Dynamite" | 15 | 8 | - | - |
| 1984 | "Do What You Do" | 13 | 14 | 6 | 1 |
| 1985 | "When the Rain Begins to Fall" (w/Pia Zadora) |
54 | 61 | 68 | 1 |
| 1985 | "(Closest Thing) To Perfect" | 67 | 63 | - | 27 |
| 1986 | "I Think It's Love" | 16 | 14 | 96 | - |
| 1986 | "Lonely Won't Leave Me Alone" | - | - | - | 12 |
| 1986 | "Do You Remember Me" | 71 | 40 | - | - |
| 1987 | "Words Into Action" | - | 90 | - | 29 |
| 1989 | "Don't Take It Personal" | 64 | 1 | 69 | - |
| 1990 | "I'd Like to Get to Know You" | - | 27 | - | - |
| 1990 | "Two Ships (In the Night)" | - | 21 | - | - |
| 1991 | "Word to the Badd!" | 78 | 88 | - | - |
| 1991 | "You Said, You Said" | - | 25 | - | - |
| 1992 | "I Dream, I Dream" | - | 30 | - | - |
References
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2008) |
- ^ "Muhammad Abdul Aziz".
- ^ "Muhammad Abdul-Aziz".
- ^ http://www.tmz.com/2007/08/07/jermaine-jackson-off-the-hook/ Jermaine Says "I'm Poor" and Judge Believes Him!
- ^ Ros Wynne-Jones (2007-04-07). "MAGIC BUS ; Last stop against racism". Daily Mirror via ProQuest News UK. p. 14. Retrieved 2008-07-04.
External links
- Video Interview About How he has achieved Peace through his Islamic Beliefs
- VH1 Profile
- Jermaine Jackson Complete Motown Discography
| Parents | |
|---|---|
| Children | |
| Grandchildren | |
| Musical groups | |
| Television | |
- 1954 births
- Living people
- African American guitarists
- African American singers
- American dance musicians
- American expatriates
- American male singers
- American Muslims
- American pop singers
- American rhythm and blues musicians
- American rhythm and blues singers
- American songwriters
- American soul musicians
- American soul singers
- Arista Records artists
- Bass guitarists
- Big Brother UK contestants
- Converts to Islam
- Epic Records artists
- Former Jehovah's Witnesses
- Jackson 5 members
- Jackson family
- Motown Records artists
- Musicians from Indiana
- People from Gary, Indiana