Jermaine Jackson American singer, bass guitarist, composer, older brother of pop stars Michael Jackson Date of Birth: 11.12.1954 Country: USA

1. Biography of Jermaine Jackson
2. Early Career
3. Solo Career and Collaborations
4. Later Career
5. Personal Life
6. Later Years

Biography of Jermaine Jackson

Jermaine La Juane Jackson, an American singer, bass guitarist, composer, and former member of the group 'The Jackson 5', is the eldest brother of pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson. He was born on December 11, 1954, in Gary, Indiana, a few years after the birth of his brother Tito. Jermaine was raised in the religious traditions of Jehovah's Witnesses, which were followed by his mother. In 1989, after a trip to the Middle East, Jackson converted to Islam.

Early Career

Initially, Jermaine was the lead vocalist in the group 'Jackson Brothers' (later renamed 'The Jackson Five'). From 1968, Michael Jackson became the second vocalist of the group. In 1973, Jermaine graduated from Birmingham High School in Los Angeles, California. In 1968, Jackson and his brothers signed a contract with 'Motown Records'. Together with Michael, Jermaine sang some of the group's best songs, including 'I Want You Back', 'I'll Be There', 'I Am Love', 'Dancing Machine', and many others.

Solo Career and Collaborations

In 1975, after six years of performing with his brothers, Jermaine left the group and continued his solo career with 'Motown Records'. His brothers signed a contract with Epic Records. Like Michael, Jermaine started his solo career while still a member of 'The Jackson 5'. His hits included the 1972 composition 'Shep' and the cover of the 'Limelites' song 'Daddy's Home'. When 'The Jackson 5' stopped working with 'Motown', Jermaine left the group and continued his collaboration with the studio, as he was already married to Hazel Gordy, the daughter of 'Motown' founder Berry Gordy. His 1980 album 'Let's Get Serious' won Jermaine a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance. The album's songs repeatedly topped the charts in the 70s and 80s.

Later Career

In 1984, Jermaine and Michael collaborated with Rockwell, resulting in the release of the artist's single 'Somebody's Watching Me'. In 1985, Jermaine recorded the song 'When the Rain Begins to Fall' with Pia Zadora, which topped several European charts. Jermaine's final success in the charts came with his 1989 song 'Don't Take It', which reached number one on the R&B charts of Billboard magazine. In April 2007, Jackson traveled to the UK to participate in the ITV show 'Challenge Anneka'. During this trip, he met with the UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown in Glasgow and performed in support of the anti-racism campaign called 'Daily Mirror 'Hope Not Hate bus''.

Personal Life

Jermaine married Hazel Gordy, Berry Gordy's daughter and the founder of 'Motown Records', on December 15, 1973. The couple's first child, named Jermaine La Juane Jackson Jr. ('Jay' for short), was born on January 27, 1977. The following year, on July 10, 1978, their daughter Autumn Jackson was born. Their third child, Jaimy Jackson, was born on March 17, 1987. Throughout his married life, Jermaine was involved with Margaret Maldonado. He first noticed her when Margaret was dining alone in a restaurant in Los Angeles. Jermaine sent friends to approach Maldonado and arrange a date through them. After his divorce from Hazel, Jackson stayed with Margaret. The couple has two children: Jeremy Maldonado Jackson, born in 1986, and Jourdynn Michael Jackson, born in 1989.

Later Years

On July 7, 2009, Jermaine, along with his family, attended the memorial service for his younger brother Michael Jackson. He helped carry Michael's casket and performed his favorite song, 'Smile', in memory of his brother.