Maps of Music

ABC (1970)

Where the lyrics of ABC take you, and where it was really made.

The album that gave the Jackson 5 two No. 1 singles was recorded with session players whose names Motown left off the credits.

Key places

Recorded at The Sound Factory (1970)

Recording site The Sound Factory — The source lists The Sound Factory in West Hollywood as a studio used for this album. The point follows the matched candidate coordinates. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recorded at Motown Studios - Hitsville West (1970)

Recording site Motown Studios - Hitsville West — The source lists Motown Studios - Hitsville West as a recording location for this album. The point is approximate, so the exact building is not confirmed here. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• ABC: second studio album by the Jackson 5, released 8 May 1970 by Motown
• Featured two No. 1 singles: "ABC" and "The Love You Save"
• Has sold up to 6 million copies worldwide
• Album tracks include a cover of Funkadelic's "I'll Bet You"
• "I Found That Girl" is the only track with Jermaine on lead vocals
• "The Young Folks" was originally recorded by Diana Ross and the Supremes

Background

• Follows the group's debut long-player, Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5 (1969)
• Five members at the time: Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, Michael and Tito
• Released on the Motown label, which supplied the album's production crew

Recording

• Musicians on the "ABC" session were uncredited, in line with Motown policy
• Motown did not list session musician credits on its releases until 1971
• Believed session players on "ABC" include bassists, drummers, guitarists and keyboard players
• Recording locations listed for the album: The Sound Factory in West Hollywood and Motown Studios - Hitsville West in Los Angeles

Cover

• Cover photo credited to Paul Slaughter and Joseph Hernandez

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Formed in Gary, Indiana, in 1964 as the Jackson Brothers, managed by father Joe Jackson.
• Original lineup: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael.
• Among the first African American performers to build a following across multiple genres.

Members

• Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael Jackson; Randy joined in 1975 when the group became the Jacksons.
• Michael Jackson's solo career became the most successful of the brothers.

Career

• Signed with Motown in 1968 and became the first group to debut with four consecutive Billboard Hot 100 number-one hits: "I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save", and "I'll Be There".
• Achieved seventeen Top 40 singles on the Hot 100 within five years.
• Left Motown for Epic Records in 1975–1976 and renamed themselves the Jacksons, releasing albums including Destiny and Triumph.
• Reunited in 1983 for Motown 25 and released Victory in 1984; Michael and Marlon left the group afterward.
• Sold over 150 million records worldwide.
• Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.
• Continued to tour as the Jacksons, including the Unity Tour (2012–2013).

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

Reappraisal

• AllMusic called ABC received widespread critical acclaim, and described it as arguably the brothers' most solid effort of the early '70s
• AllMusic credited the Jacksons' talent, the material, and Motown's behind-the-scenes crew for the album's success
• AllMusic noted the LP reached the top of the R&B chart and the top five of the pop survey
• VH1 ranked the album No. 98 on its All-Time Albums Top 100 list
• The album remains one of the Jackson 5's most popular efforts

Records

• Billboard Pop Albums Chart: peaked at No. 4 in the United States
• Billboard Black Albums chart: No. 1 in the United States
• Title track nominated for the 1971 Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
• Sold up to 6 million copies worldwide

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · fr.wikipedia.org · pt.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• In 2001, Motown's "Two Classic Albums/One CD" series paired this album with Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 on a single CD.
• "I Found That Girl" is the only track with Jermaine on lead vocals.
• ABC and The Love You Save knocked two Beatles songs, Let It Be and The Long and Winding Road, out of the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · es.wikipedia.org · fr.wikipedia.org

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