YEAR
1997
INDUCTED BY
Diana Ross (The Supremes)
CATEGORY
Performers
Not only did the Jackson Five launch the career of Michael Jackson, but the group’s own “bubblegum soul” sound—which combined influences from vocal groups, contemporary soul and R&B stars, and classic Motown artists—was enormously successful.
Jackie Jackson
Jermaine Jackson
Marlon Jackson
Michael Jackson
Tito Jackson
HALL OF FAME
ESSAY
By Ben Fong-Torres
Call them what will you- the Jackson 5, the J5, the Jacksons – they were, in the end, Michael and four of his brothers. And call him what you will, but Michael Jackson was and is one of the greatest stars ever to grace this business we call show.
He still sends chills up and down my spine when I play the Jackson 5’s version of “Who’s Lovin’ You,” with its bluesy curlicues, executed by a singer aged all of eleven years. He still amazes me with his moves – from his preteen spins learned faithfully from James Brown to his post-J5 inventions that placed him in league with Fred Astaire and Neil Armstrong.
