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Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 (1969)

Where the lyrics of Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 take you, and where it was really made.

The album title made it look as if Diana Ross had discovered the group, but the producer who actually found them was Bobby Taylor.

Key places

Early sessions at Hitsville U.S.A. (1969)

Recording site Hitsville U.S.A. Studio A — Berry Gordy moved the group to the Hitsville U.S.A. studios in Detroit, where production work began under Bobby Taylor in 1969. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recording studio listed for the album (1969)

Recording site The Sound Factory — The album's page lists The Sound Factory in West Hollywood as a recording studio for the album. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Debut studio album by the American pop band The Jackson 5
• Released 12 December 1969 by Motown
• Lead singer was a preadolescent Michael Jackson, with brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon
• Only single 'I Want You Back' reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 within weeks of release
• Estimated 5 million copies sold worldwide to date
• Album reached number 5 on the US Pop Albums chart
• Spent nine weeks at number one on the US R&B/Black Albums charts

Background

• The album title suggested that Motown star Diana Ross had discovered the group
• The liner notes on the back cover, written by Ross, also carried this suggestion
• The supposed discovery was part of Motown's marketing and promotions plan for the group
• In fact Motown producer Bobby Taylor had discovered them
• Joe Jackson, the father and manager, thanked Gladys Knight for calling Motown executives on the group's behalf
• Ross accepted her assigned role and helped promote the group

Recording

• The songs were recorded during May to August 1969
• Early sessions took place at Hitsville U.S.A. in Detroit under Bobby Taylor
• Later original material was produced by The Corporation, a team of Freddie Perren, Alphonzo Mizell and Deke Richards

Cover

• Cover photography by Jim Hendin
• Artwork direction by Curtis McNair, artwork and design by Ken Kim

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · es.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

At release

• Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 received widespread critical acclaim
• AllMusic: released less than two weeks before the 1960s ended, and fittingly marked the beginning of a new era in crossover pop and soul
• AllMusic: the twelve-song disc introduced the siblings Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon, and most significantly a prepubescent Michael Jackson
• AllMusic: the brothers' tight vocal harmonies were fueled by the ebullience of youth and inexperience
• AllMusic: their collective success was stoked by the funkified vibe of urban America

Records

• US Pop Albums chart: number 5
• US R&B/Black Albums charts: nine weeks at number one
• Single I Want You Back: number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 within weeks of the album's release
• Sales: estimated 5 million copies worldwide to date

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Multiple sources say Bobby Taylor, not Diana Ross, first presented the group to Motown executives
• Gladys Knight also said she brought the Jackson 5 to Motown's attention
• The track 'Reach Out, I'll Be There' was considered for the album and appears on the back of early pressings, but was replaced by 'Born to Love You'
• In 2001 Motown reissued the album paired with ABC, and one bonus track was included, a cover of Bobby Taylor's 'Oh, I've Been Bless'd'

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

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