The family · the sixth child
Marlon Jackson
The group's tireless dancer and a surviving twin who felt an unusually close bond with Michael — later an R&B solo hitmaker, a media entrepreneur, and the founder of a peace foundation.
Early life
The surviving twin
Marlon David Jackson was born March 12, 1957, at St. Mary's Mercy Hospital in Gary, Indiana — the sixth Jackson child, and a twin. Born several weeks premature, his brother Brandon died shortly after birth. Marlon has spoken of carrying that loss, and of an especially close bond with his younger brother Michael — in some sense a connection to the twin he never knew.
The group
The dancing machine
Marlon joined his brothers in the group as a child and became its great dancer — an electric stage presence who also sang background vocals and played percussion (conga, tambourine) rather than taking lead. Energetic and quick-witted, he and Michael were known as the family's jokers. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 with the original five, and served as a pallbearer at Michael's 2009 memorial.
Solo career
“Don't Go”
Marlon's lone solo studio album, Baby Tonight (1987, Capitol), reached #22 on the Top R&B Albums chart, and its single "Don't Go" peaked at #2 on the Billboard R&B chart — his solo high-water mark. He has not released another studio album since, turning his attention to business and family.
Personal life
A lasting marriage
In August 1975, at 18, Marlon married Carol Ann Parker, whom he had met on tour — a marriage that has lasted more than four decades. They have three children: Valencia (b. 1976), Brittany (b. 1978), and Marlon David Jackson Jr. (b. 1981), along with several grandchildren.
Later years
Business & peace work
Marlon built a successful real-estate career in Southern California and moved into media: in 1999 he co-founded the Major Broadcasting Corporation, later the Black Family Channel (rebranded 2004, sold 2007). In 2015 he founded the Study Peace Foundation, which he directs — promoting peace and community-building, including partnering with KaBOOM! to build playgrounds in New Orleans, Gary, and Los Angeles.
In brief
Notable facts
- He is the surviving member of a twin pair — his twin Brandon died at birth.
- His solo single "Don't Go" hit #2 R&B (1987) off his only album, Baby Tonight.
- He later became a real-estate and media entrepreneur (the Black Family Channel).
- He founded and directs the Study Peace Foundation (2015).
Sources