So what is a celebrity dad to do on the occasion of his 80th birthday? Throw a party at a swank downtown nightclub and arrive in a stretch limo with a swarm of young, female admirers Velcroed all over him? That is how Joe Jackson, father of the famous Jac
So what is a celebrity dad to do on the occasion of his 80th birthday? Throw a party at a swank downtown nightclub and arrive in a stretch limo with a swarm of young, female admirers Velcroed all over him? That is how Joe Jackson, father of the famous Jackson 5 clan and superstar daughter, Janet, celebrated last Thursday at The Joynt.
Joseph “Joe” Jackson was a very hands on father and manager and kept a hawk’s eye on the then-growing music career of the Jackson 5, which included his sons Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael.
Joe gave up his own career as a guitar player in a band he started with his brother to launch and manage his sons’ music careers.
The Jackson 5 was world-renowned and commanded an international following, and were the first Black teens to do so.
Though Joe had introduced his boys to the industry, shortly after signing the Jackson 5 to Motown, the record company’s Barry Gordy took over as manager.
But Joe Jackson never stayed far away from his children’s careers, even after the Jackson siblings all eventually left their father’s management company.
He was known to be strict with his children. There were reports that he was even physically abusive.
The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, recalled being so intimidated by his father as an adolescent that Joe’s presence made him vomit.
In her 1991 book LaToya: Growing up in the Jackson Family, LaToya Jackson openly and poignantly accused her father of physical and sexual abuse. She said in the book that Joe had sexually abused the oldest daughter, Reebie.
Joe and Reebie denied LaToya’s claims. Latoya, whose singing career was short-lived, later recanted her claims.
He was born July 26, 1928 in Fountain Hill, Ark. In 2002, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame proclaimed Joe Jackson the Best Entertainment Manager of All Time.
______ Photo by Worsom Robinson/Chicago Defender
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