The Jackson 5's Troubled Beginnings & Breakup Profiled in REELZ Documentary
Delve into the secrets behind iconic 1960s pop band The Jackson 5 from their troubled beginnings to their ultimate breakup in "The Jackson 5: Breaking The Band."
REELZ talks with family, friends and former members of the music group as they open up about the band's humble beginning when Joe Jackson — a steelworker from Gary, Indiana — recognized the talent and budding star power in his five sons and founded the band in 1964.
Before long, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael, who was only 8-years-old when he began performing with The Jackson 5 in 1966, shot to fame.
“I knew where their talent was. Their harmony and everything was so perfect. I didn’t think that they had that in them,” marvels Katherine Jackson of her gifted sons. “I knew they had talent in them but the way the sound together was beautiful.”
Richard Hatcher, the mayor of Gary, Indiana, at the time the band rose to stardom, is also featured in the compelling documentary. “The Jacksons won pretty much every night,” says Hatcher, referring to the band's success in local talent shows. “Then they started getting jobs over in Chicago.”
“They had a Volkswagen bus and would pile all of that equipment in the bus, and the brothers as well, and go do the gig,” recalls Ronnie Rancifer, the former keyboard player for group.
The Jackson 5 — later referred to as The Jacksons — would go on to be nominated for three Grammy Awards from 1971 to 1981. Although they didn't win, three of their songs were later officially inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
There is much more to learn in “The Jackson 5: Breaking The Band,” Sunday, April 3rd at 8 ET/PT on REELZ.
Watch REELZ on DIRECTV 238, Dish Network 299, Verizon FiOS 692, AT&T U-verse 1799 and in HD on cable systems and streaming services nationwide. Find REELZ on your local cable or satellite provider at reelz.com/get-reelz/
