Sigmund Esco "Jackie" Jackson (born May 4, 1951) is an American singer best known as an original member of the Motown-era group the Jackson 5, later known as the Jacksons. A product of a large musical family, he contributed vocals, harmonies and stage performance to a group that became one of the defining pop and R&B acts of the late 1960s and 1970s. He has also recorded as a solo artist and later pursued business interests in the music industry.

Early life and family

Jackie Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, into a family that produced several professional musicians. He is the second child of Katherine Jackson and Joe Jackson, and an older brother to siblings who include Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael Jackson. The Jackson household combined close family ties with a strong focus on entertainment, which led the brothers to form a vocal group in their youth and eventually perform on regional stages before gaining national attention.

Career with The Jackson 5 and The Jacksons

Jackie was a founding member of The Jackson 5, the quintet that burst onto the national scene in the late 1960s. The group's first major release, Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 (1969), marked the beginning of a string of successful records on the Motown label. The Jackson 5 achieved multiple top-charting singles in the United States, including several that reached number one: "I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save" and "I'll Be There". In the mid-1970s the brothers left Motown and signed with Epic Records, changing their performing name to The Jacksons and continuing to record and tour throughout the decade.

Solo work and business activities

Alongside his work with the group, Jackie released solo recordings, including the self-titled album Jackie Jackson (1973) and Be the One (1989). Later in life he relocated to Las Vegas, where he has been involved in the business side of music, operating small independent labels such as Jesco Records and Futurist Entertainment. These ventures reflect a transition from performer to entrepreneur, focusing on production, artist development and licensing activities.

Notable releases and highlights

  • Debut group album: Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 (1969) — launched the group's mainstream career.
  • Four U.S. number-one singles during the Motown period — a rare achievement for a youth-oriented vocal group.
  • Transition to Epic Records in the mid-1970s and continued touring and recording as The Jacksons.
  • Solo albums spanning the 1970s and 1980s, reflecting R&B and pop influences.

Legacy and context

Jackie Jackson is part of a musical dynasty whose work helped shape late 20th-century pop, soul and R&B. The Jackson 5 combined tight vocal harmonies, choreography and crossover pop appeal, contributing to the mainstream acceptance of young Black artists on American television and radio. While his younger brother Michael later achieved extraordinary solo fame, Jackie’s contributions to the group’s early sound and stagecraft remain part of the broader Jackson family legacy.

For further reading about family members, record labels and the Jacksons’ recordings, see entries on Katherine Jackson, Joe Jackson, and The Jackson 5, and on labels such as Motown and Epic Records. Jackie’s current residence and business activities are associated with Las Vegas, where he has lived and worked in recent years.