Jermaine Jackson

Early Life

Jermaine LaJuane Jackson was born on December 11, 1954, in Gary, Indiana, as the fourth child of Joseph and Katherine Jackson. Growing up in a large family, he was surrounded by music from an early age, influenced by his father's musical ambitions and his mother's talent as a pianist and singer. Jermaine, along with his brothers Tito and Jackie, practiced secretly with their father's guitar, eventually forming the Jackson Brothers, an early version of what would become the Jackson 5. After his younger brother Michael took over as lead singer, Jermaine continued to contribute to the group's success, graduating from Birmingham High School in 1973.

Career

Jermaine's professional music career began when the Jackson 5 signed with Steeltown Records in 1967, releasing their first single, "Big Boy," in 1968. The group later moved to Motown Records, where they achieved massive success with hits like "I Want You Back" and "ABC." Jermaine served as the second lead vocalist and played bass guitar, showcasing his talents in numerous iconic songs. In 1975, the group left Motown due to dissatisfaction with their royalties and creative control, rebranding themselves as the Jacksons after signing with Epic Records. Jermaine chose to remain with Motown, launching a solo career that included several albums such as "Jermaine" and "Let’s Get Serious."

Personal Life

Jermaine has been married and divorced three times, with a total of eight children. His first marriage was to Hazel Gordy, daughter of Motown founder Berry Gordy, with whom he had three children. He later had two sons with Margaret Maldonado and two more with Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza. In 2004, he married Halima Rashid, but their relationship faced challenges, leading to a divorce petition in 2016. Jermaine has remained a supportive figure for his brother Michael, defending him during his trials and announcing his death in 2009. Today, Jermaine continues to be an influential figure in the music industry, with a legacy rooted in his family's rich musical history.