b. Jermaine La Jaune Jackson, 11th December 1954, Gary, Indiana, U.S.A.
Jermaine Jackson is the older brother of Soul singers Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson, two members in one of the most famous families in Soul and Pop Music.
He is a singer, an accomplished bass player (performing some of the sessions of legendary Motown bass player James Jamerson at live gigs), a composer and, to a lesser extent, film director.
the jackson 5 in 1966
Jermaine's musical career has been very much overshadowed by his younger brother, Michael, however, in Soul Music circles, he is probably viewed as the most Soulful of the Jackson family, musically.
The Jackson 5 (of which Jermaine was a central part of), were the children of Joseph and Katherine Jackson.
Born in Gary, Indiana, Jermaine is the second oldest child (Tito being older), with his brothers and sisters listing, Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Marlon, Latoya, Michael, Randy and Janet.
Jermaine was raised as a Jehovah's witness, converting to Islam in 1989.
He was also the lead singer in The Jackson 5, up until Michael took over the role in 1968, as The Jackson 5 signed at the Motown imprint.
Jermaine contributed occasional lead vocals, notably on 'I Found That Girl', from their 'Third Album'.
He later graduated from Birmingham High School in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, in 1973.
Late that year he married Hazel Gordy, who is the daughter of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, the two remaining together until 1988, when the couple divorced.
Jermaine left The Jackson 5, for a solo career in 1975, after the Jacksons signed with Epic Records, although, at various times he did rejoin the ranks on later occasions.
daddy's home - 1972 / that's how love goes - 1972
As with his brother, Michael, Jermaine did record solo records, whilst he was still under The Jackson 5 umbrella, most notably in 1972, when covered the Shep and the Limelites song 'Daddy's Home'.
jermaine - 1972 / come into my life - 1973
The song became a gold disc, retailing over a million units, and was accompanied by two album releases in 1972 and 1973, namely 'Jermaine' and 'Come Into My Life', respectively.
When The Jackson 5 went to Epic Records, Jermaine remained at Motown, with rumours stating that he remained at the label because of his, then, marriage to Hazel Gordy, although Jermaine later stated that he stayed at the label for different reasons.
my name is jermaine - 1976 / feel the fire - 1977
His first album release away from The Jackson 5 set-up, was 1976's 'My Name Is Jermaine', which featured the futuristic, 'Bass Odyssey', 'Let's Be Young Tonight' and the ballad 'My Touch Of Madness'.
'Feel The Fire' followed in 1977, followed by 'Frontiers' the following year, which included two Stevie Wonder cover songs, namely 'Isn't She Lovely' and 'I Love Every Little Thing About You'.
frontiers - 1978 / let's get serious - 1979
The Stevie Wonder connection continued with 1979's album release 'Let's Get Serious', which is probably, his most successful album release to date, and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for the title song.
The title track was a Stevie Wonder original song (reaching number 9, also one of his only two U.K. hits, reaching number 8), as were the songs 'Where Are You Now?' and 'You're Supposed To Keep Your Love For Me'.
jermaine - 1980 / i like your style - 1981
In 1980, Jermaine released a single entitled 'You Like Me Don't You', which was part arranged by Gene Page, a single taken from an album called 'Jermaine'.
Around this time, he worked alongside the group Switch, who were, to all intents and purposes, his proteges, with Jermaine penning many of the groups early songs, including 'I Wanna Be Closer'.
Another album entitled 'I Like Your Style' was released in 1981, which featured another Stevie Wonder song, 'Signed' Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours', along with the popular 'Too Shy To Say'.
At this time he formed his own production company, launching the career of Michael Lovesmith as a recording artist, whilst overseeing the career development of Syreeta.
let me tickle your fancy - 1982 / dynamite - 1984
'Let Me Tickle Your Fancy' was released the following year, creating some waves in Soul circles with the song 'There's A Better Way'.
Jermaine then left the Motown imprint for Arista Records in 1983, releasing the album 'Jeramine Jackson' (a.k.a. 'Dynamite') in 1984, which featured the hit 'Do What You Do'.
That year he also collaborated with the vocalist Rockwell on his song 'Somebody's Watching Me', providing his vocal input.
precious moments - 1986 / don't take it personal - 1989
In 1986, he released the album 'Precious Moments', which featured the radio friendly 'Give A Little Love'.
1989's album 'Don't Take It Personal' ended the decade on a high, with the title track (written and produced by the group Surface) making number one on the Billboard chart.
you said - 1991
In 1991, he released, what turned out to be his last album to date, namely 'You Said', which saw the light of day on the LaFace imprint, and featured the song, 'I Dream, I Dream'.
In 1992, he produced 'The Jacksons: An American Dream', an award-winning biographical mini series, charting the history of The Jackson 5.
In 2007, Jermaine was the first housemate to enter the Celebrity Big Brother U.K. house for the television station Channel Four.
Jermaine is involved in several charity projects and has been helping orphaned children around the world.
at the ronald reagan ucla medical center in 2009
In 2009, following the death of his brother Michael, Jermaine took on the responsibility of being the spokesperson for the family, initially holding a press conference at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and then breaking the news of Michael Jackson's death to the media.
He acted as a pallbearer at his brothers funeral, and performed the song 'Smile' (written by Charlie Chaplin), which was believed to be his brother's favourite song, as a tribute.
Albums:
Jermaine (Motown Records 1972)
Come Into My Life (Motown Records 1973)
My Name Is Jermaine (Motown Records 1976)
Feel The Fire (Motown Records 1977)
Frontier (Motown Records 1978)
Let's Get Serious (Motown Records 1980)
Jermaine (Motown Records 1980)
I Like Your Style (Motown Records 1981)
Let Me Tickle Your Fancy (Motown Records 1982)
Jermaine Jackson (U.S.A.) / Dynamite (U.K.) (Arista Records 1984)
Precious Moments (Arista Records 1986)
Don't Take It Personal (Arista Records 1989)
You Said (La Face Records 1991)
