Photo: Georges Biard · CC BY-SA 3.0
The family · the fourth child
Jermaine Jackson
Co-lead singer and bassist of the Jackson 5, the brother who stayed at Motown when the others left, a Motown solo star — and, after 2009, one of the most visible keepers of Michael's legacy.
Jackson 5
The voice beside Michael's
Born December 11, 1954 in Gary, Indiana, Jermaine was the fourth Jackson child and a founding member of the Jackson 5. He sang lead in the group's earliest incarnation, then moved to bass guitar and co-/second-lead vocals as Michael emerged — performing on the Motown classics "I Want You Back," "ABC," and "I'll Be There."
1975
The brother who stayed at Motown
In 1973 Jermaine married Hazel Gordy, daughter of Motown founder Berry Gordy. So when the group left Motown for Epic in 1975 — becoming "The Jacksons" (Motown kept the "Jackson 5" name) — Jermaine alone stayed behind at Motown. It was the defining rift of his career. He remained a Motown solo act through the late 1970s before reconciling with his brothers, rejoining them on the Motown 25 special (1983) and for the Victory album and 1984 tour.
Solo
"Let's Get Serious" and beyond
His biggest solo hit, "Let's Get Serious" (1980), was written by Lee Garrett and Stevie Wonder and produced by Wonder; it reached #9 on the Hot 100 and #1 on the R&B chart. Earlier, "Daddy's Home" (1972/73) had hit #9. In 1984 he and Michael recorded the duet "Tell Me I'm Not Dreamin' (Too Good to Be True)" — heavily played and Grammy-nominated, though never given a full single release.
1991
"Word to the Badd!!" and the rift
In 1991 Jermaine released "Word to the Badd!!", whose lyrics were widely reported in the press as critical of Michael — touching on his changing appearance and distance from the family. (No reputable source reproduces the contested lines verbatim, so we don't quote them.) Jermaine later said the venting tone partly came from collaborators and grew out of frustration after a long stretch with no contact; the brothers met privately and the relationship was repaired.
Faith, family & legacy
After June 2009
Jermaine converted to Islam in 1989 (later taking the name Muhammad Abdul-Aziz) and named a son "Jermajesty." It was Jermaine who announced Michael's death outside UCLA Medical Center in June 2009, and who became a leading family spokesman. At the Staples Center memorial he served as a pallbearer and performed Charlie Chaplin's "Smile," one of Michael's favorite songs. In 2011 he published the memoir You Are Not Alone: Michael, Through a Brother's Eyes.