The Jacksons prompted fans to dance and shout at Chastain
By JAMILA ROBINSON
The Jacksons made sure you felt it at their Chastain show Sunday. Photo credit: Akili-Casundria Ramsess
Without Michael, who would want to see The Jacksons? By the third song, many of the packed crowd at Chastain Park Amphitheatre, including this admitted skeptic, were wondering why they hadn’t gone out on tour sooner.
The Jackson brothers, Jermaine, Marlon, Tito and Jackie, along with their tight band and background singers put on a spectacular scene, getting the audience out of its seats by opening with their 1980 hit “Can You Feel It,” and kept fans screaming, grooving, until their finale, the dancing, shouting “Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground).”
We’d forgotten that it was the Jackson 5 and that the brothers who were all fantastic performers in their own rights. So when Marlon would show off his dance moves, it was a reminder he could hold his own with Michael. Or when Jermaine sang “Let’s Get Serious,” and “Do What You Do” we were reminded that he, too, had a successful solo career.
Rather than simple nostalgia for the white-socked, one-gloved, I (heart) MJ button and faux leather “Beat It” jacket wearers, this concert was more about the experience of the Jacksons in the 1970s and 1980s. When the brothers fired up songs like “Lovely One” and Jackie’s “Time Waits For No One” — tracks from their 1980 “Triumph” album – it was a time to reminisce about the fantastic songs that you would get to know after the needle had drilled skips into “Heartbreak Hotel.”
The Jacksons recalled Michael's legacy, but also made the show their own. Photo credit: Akili-Casundria Ramsess
While the brothers raced through a medley of their early hits, including “ABC” and “The Love You Save” and “I’ll Be There,” they were unconventional with their playlist, picking “Got To Be There” and “I Wanna Be Where You Are,” solo hits for Michael on Motown. It was enough to evoke memories of Michael Jackson’s performances and never drifted into tiresome tribute.
And who better to sing Michael’s hits than his brothers? With the crowd filling in the hee-hees, oohs and shrieks of “Rock With You,” “Don’t Stop to You Get Enough” and “Wanna Be Startin Somethin’,” it was a joyous concert, still magical, even without Michael’s presence.
The Jacksons Unity tour could become a pilgrimage, something akin to the shows that Boomers flock to see year after year, like Phish or Frankie Beverly and Maze, where fans know what to expect, and leave the venue with a dance and a shout.
(Check out more photos from the show in our gallery.)
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51 comments Add your comment
E
July 9th, 2012
3:48 pm
I couldn’t have agreed more with this review of last night’s concert. I must say that this 34 year old was shocked and amazed. The brothers looked, sounded and danced great!!!!
I’d had been on the fence about going to the concert. I thought without Mike it wasn’t going to be worth it. However, I was wrong. It was definitely work it. I had a great time.
In my opinion, for the first time for me Mike’s brothers have stepped from behind his shadows and showed that they too are talented.
Great show!!!!!
CherrySebastian
July 9th, 2012
5:07 pm
The Jacksons – Tito, Marlon, Jermaine, Jackie were ok, glad I got a FREE ticketto see them at the last minute since I didn’t get a chance to see Michael with his brothers. Scalpers were selling $75 seats for $25.As a huge Jacksons fan, what I enjoyed the most were the photos of the young Jacksons. The sound/vocals were ok. Marlon’s dancing was great. Jermaine trying to sing Michael’s songs – it was good effort. As a Jacksons fan, glad I got to see them nonetheless but will never pay.
Denita
July 9th, 2012
5:28 pm
This was a great concert! It was the Jackson 5 first! Michael Jackson came later. The brothers were great! I would gladly pay to see the Marlon, Tito, Jackie, and Jermaine again! I didn’t sit down the entire show!
Sam
July 9th, 2012
5:30 pm
NO ONE can hold his own with Michael, that’s the point. Michael Jackson is the genius who amazed the world, they only always lived off him. The Jacksons know it very well, it’s for this that they tried to convince Michael for so long. Now they are just trying to imitate him, exploiting his name to even try to get the success they never had and will never have, as well as they will never have Michael Jackson’s magic and geniality.
Sam
July 9th, 2012
5:32 pm
@Denita Michael Jackson did not come later. Michael Jackson was the lead of the group!
Sam
July 9th, 2012
5:39 pm
@E Actually if they were talented it would be came out long time before. It there wasn’t need Michael Jackson absence.
Chuck
July 9th, 2012
5:50 pm
I agree with the review. Great Show! Great Band! Great Performance. Would pay to see it again.
Morris
July 9th, 2012
5:51 pm
Sam:
Actually J5 had two leadsingers, MJ and Jermaine. Go through every J5 record and you’ll see how many songs they either sang co-lead or Jermaine sang lead on. Plus the brothers contributed a lot in the songwriting department during the Epic years as well as coming up with dance routines and playing instrument. To funk up the bass and sing live at the same time the way Jermaine does takes a great deal of talent.
Sam
July 9th, 2012
5:59 pm
Jermaine was not a lead singer. Joe wanted Jermaine as lead singer until he saw Michael and decided he would be the lead!
Sam
July 9th, 2012
6:00 pm
FYI Michael Jackson has always been the star there.
Sam
July 9th, 2012
6:04 pm
Jermaine tried his solo career but failed and stopped. As I said if they were really talented so to “hold their own with Michael”, it would be came out long time before, of course.
Michigander
July 9th, 2012
6:08 pm
IIRC the Jacksons were a group in Gary, Indiana and Michael BEGGED to be in the group.
Sam
July 9th, 2012
6:15 pm
OMG Michael Jackson never begged to be in the group. It’s science fiction. Joe brought him in the group when he was only 5.
Morris
July 9th, 2012
6:26 pm
Sam: weather you like it or not, there were 2 lead singers in J5. History speaks for itself. Let’s take their celebrated Motown debut as an example. There are 12 songs on “Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5″. Michael sang lead or co-lead on 10 of those songs. Jermaine sang lead or co-lead on 8 of those songs. That clearly tells you there were 2 leadsingers in J5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_Ross_Presents_The_Jackson_5
Sam
July 9th, 2012
6:33 pm
There weren’t 2 lead singers. Michael Jackson was te lead singer, most probably you are the one who doesn’t like it. Joe decided it as I said.
Earl Mitchell
July 9th, 2012
6:48 pm
Sam, were you hiding in the closet, because you seem to know it all.I get it, you are Sam Jackson, AKA the brother no one knew about.
Sam
July 9th, 2012
6:54 pm
Everyone knows that, except you apparently.
Serenity
July 9th, 2012
11:15 pm
Sam you really need to give it up. You’re obviously a MJ stan but dont know much about the history of the Jackson 5. Jermaine WAS the lead singer of the group which consisted of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon. Michael DID BEG to be in the group but Papa Joe wouldnt hear of it until Michael showed what he was capable of at his school’s talent show. Havent you seen “The Jacksons: An American Dream” movie? After that Joe made Michael the lead but make no mistake, Jermaine was the lead of the group FIRST. And for the record the Jackson brothers are VERY talented! If you cant see or hear that you must be blind and deaf! To say that they dont have any talent is a farce. Are they as great and talented as MJ? No they are not, but then again, nobody is.
Liry
July 10th, 2012
1:19 am
Beyond the different opinions on the artistic skills of the Jacksons, it’s not necessary to use against a world star like Michael, unparalleled titles as “white-socked,” “one-gloved”. Is offensive and disgusting to enhance a concert full of nostalgic through these vile epithets.
satch
July 10th, 2012
2:28 am
sam, you must be young. first it was the jackson 5 .the jacksons were huge with black americans long before thriller.ask the women between 45-60 yrs old they loved those guys.
Morris
July 10th, 2012
2:58 am
Sam:
How can there not be 2 lead singers in J5 when two of them share lead on the majority of songs? If one sings lead or co-lead on 10 songs of 12 and the other sings lead or co-lead on 8 of 12 that ought to tell you the truth.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_Ross_Presents_The_Jackson_5
Let’s take another album as an example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_5_Christmas_Album
Michael lead/co-lead on 7 of 11 songs
Jermaine lead/co-lead on 6 of 11 songs
Sam
July 10th, 2012
7:01 am
Jermaine was not the lead singer. After seeing Michael singing and dancing while tidying up his room when he was 5 on Katherine’s suggestion, Joe decided that Michael would have been the lead singer of the group, which at the time still was not called Jackson 5, they only sang in various clubs. It has been only after they signed the contract with the Motown that they were called J5. Later, after they split with the Motown changed their name in The Jacksons. If The Jacksons where famous it was because there was Michael Jackson and the group has existed until Michael Jackson stayed into. Afterwards, Michael felt he wanted to start his solo career and continued to have the enormous success that the entire world knows. His brothers since then, did nothing, or better, they tried and failed. Guess anyone can have fans of course, even the Jacksons brothers, who failed to have theirs for years or just few but not enough and not for Michael Jackson’s presence as someone here has even had the courage to say, if they would have had their own talent, it would have emerged with no doubt. You obviously do not know anything or simply you choose to ignore. In any case it does not change what is the reality. Michael Jackson has always been the only star and always will be, inventing things won’t make them come true.
As the whole world knows, Michael Jackson is a genius and a global legend. It has always been like that and so it is going to remain. It is not even of being a Michael Jackson’s fan, it is the reality under the eyes of the world since ever. Not by chance Michael Jackson remained so big. There are always been many people who costantly try to put down Michael Jackson, it is not new, media first, for jealousy, for badness, jealous people among which also his siblings, and they costantly fail since ever and as always is going to be, of course.
Sam
July 10th, 2012
7:26 am
@Morris EVEN at the link you provided there is clearly written that “Lead singer Michael Jackson is prominently featured on the album tracks.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_5_Christmas_Album
Mah…
The Jacksons Prompted Fans To Dance And Shout At Chastain « ALL THINGS MICHAEL! ♥
July 10th, 2012
8:12 am
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Morris
July 10th, 2012
8:25 am
Sam:
Of course Michael was the lead singer of J5. But he wasn’t the only lead singer, there were 2 lead singers. You fail to explain how Michael was the only lead singer when Jermaine sang lead or co-lead on almost as many songs as Michael on the J5 albums I was referring to. Same story with other J5 albums.
I provided proof, all you’re doing is acting emotional and rambling. I rest my case…have a nice day Sam.
D.
July 10th, 2012
8:48 am
People get carried away with Michael Jackson being the King of pop. Yes he is one of the greatest of all time but does anyone even stop and consider how tough it must have been for his brothers playing also ran’s all their lives? He was clearly the most talented in the family but the others are entitled to a life and a career too. There are too many scary over obsessed fans looking through the narrow lens of Michael being the only Jackson entitled to fame. Over the years if anyone of the other siblings tried to do anything they instantly got accused of copying and exploiting their brother. So what if they don’t do it like Michael? Who can? Something tells me that they just want to be themselves and pay tribute to their late brother. They are the fore-bearers of the boy band culture in pop and they should be given their respect. Watered down half ass soul groups like n-sync and the backstreet boys would not exist if it was not for them. Its not perfect but they do a great show and deserve credit for what they are doing. They are Michael Jackson’s brothers and are entitled to his legacy more than crazy over obsessed fans.
Sam
July 10th, 2012
9:21 am
Michael Jackson was the lead singer. There isn’t written nowhere that Jeramine was the co-lead. Only in your mind. Furthermore I’m not at all acting “emotional and rambling”, I replied and explained how Michael Jackson became the lead singer even though it seems to have bothered some here. Also you did not provide any proof. There isn’t reported what you wrote here even in the link you yourself quoted…mah….Enough said!
Copy/paste from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_5_Christmas_Album
Track listing
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (Blane/Martin) – 5:19
“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” (Coots/Gillespie) – 2:24
“The Christmas Song” (Torme/Wells) – 2:45
“Up on the Housetop” (Hanby) – 3:16
“Frosty the Snowman” (Nelson/Rollins) – 2:39
“The Little Drummer Boy” (Davis/Onorati/Simeone) – 3:15
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (Marks) – 2:32
“Christmas Won’t Be the Same This Year” (Sawyer/Ware) – 2:31
“Give Love on Christmas Day” (Gordy/Mizell/Perren/Richards) – 2:44
“Someday at Christmas” (Miller/Wells) – 2:44
“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” (Connors) – 3:01
2003 remaster
12. “Little Christmas Tree” (Clinton/Wayne) (Recorded September–November 1972, released 1973) – 3:37
2009 Ultimate Christmas Collection bonus tracks
12. “Season’s Greetings from Michael Jackson” – 0:09
13. “Little Christmas Tree” – 3:37
14. “Season’s Greetings from Tito” – 0:06
15. “Up On The Housetop” (DJ Spinna Re-Edit) – 5:00
16. “Season’s Greetings from Jackie Jackson” – 0:07
17. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (Stripped Mix) – 3:04
18. “Season’s Greetings from Jermaine Jackson” – 0:07
19. “Someday At Christmas” (Stripped Mix) – 2:44
20. “Give Love On Christmas Day” (group a cappella version) – 3:37
21. “J5 Christmas Medley” – 3:51
Sam
July 10th, 2012
9:23 am
NO ONE is crazy over obsessed here except YOU!
Sam
July 10th, 2012
9:24 am
Just to make it clear!
Sam
July 10th, 2012
9:29 am
As always these kind of people which often contradict themselves then pass to criticize and offend since they have no argument.
Mel
July 10th, 2012
12:44 pm
can’t wait for the L A show.
Nicole
July 10th, 2012
2:03 pm
I’m so proud of the brothers too and I agree with the writer of this piece. The Jackson brothers are talented in their own right. I also agree with what you said D.that I’m so tired of these hard core MJ fans that don’t give the brothers the respect that they deserve when it comes to the history of Michael Jackson. Morris is also right, Jermaine was originally the lead singer and did sing lead on somr J5 songs. Of course MJ was the leader but he wasn’t the entire band and this is coming from the biggest MJ fan you’ll ever meet. Many MJ fans have gotten history twisted, if it wasn’t for the historical foundation of the J5, there would probably be no Michael Jackson. Even he had to sts that somewhere and build up his talent and learn the music business. But you can’t tell these “MJ Only Fans” that. They think his career started at “Thriller” let alone pre-Motown stuff they sang like “Big Boy”. I saw the brothers for their concert in Englewood, NJ and they were amazing for their age and doing it without MJ. I wish nothing but success for them they deserve it to the fans that don’t likr the J5 get lost because one monkey don’t stop the show!
Keep Real
July 10th, 2012
2:07 pm
Good for the J5 that they can put on a great show but how anyone can revere MJ with what he did to those children is unreal.
Nicole
July 10th, 2012
2:17 pm
Keep it real please don’t start with that. If you don’t know the truth and researched then I feel bad for you. Don’t let the media hoodwink you.
Sam
July 10th, 2012
2:35 pm
Michael Jackson’s talent would have emerged in any case also without the J5 group. Only you twisted facts, I said that in origin Jermaine was the lead singer but explained how afterwards Joe Jackson decided for Michael. You evidently like to twist the facts trying to take some sort of advantage from it (!). Speak about crazy over obsessed and monkies… At this point I’ve wasted too time with crazy people who can’t do nothing better than agree each other repeating like parrots. Whatever!
Nicole
July 10th, 2012
3:04 pm
By Sam nobody cares.
Morris
July 10th, 2012
3:31 pm
Bye Sam
D.
July 10th, 2012
4:10 pm
Wise words from Nicole and Morris. Bye Sam.
Sonya
July 10th, 2012
4:37 pm
This concert was AWESOME! (funny how I keep saying that). The brothers split their parts up perfectly and the show was just fantastic. I was on the front row in the corner and up dancing most of the night. I’d been to Tito’s concert before and his Bowler Babes sang most of Michael’s parts (specifically Nicole who sounded a lot like him), but they way the brothers split the pieces of songs up, really showed everyone that they are all tremendously talented. I really think they should re-release the songs “Heaven Knows” and “Time Waits for No One”.
If you haven’t seen the show and it’s near … definitely GO! I’ll be there again if it heads back anywhere near!
S
Marvg25@aol.com
July 10th, 2012
4:48 pm
Sam, you really went in on this one. For one, you cannot go by what the Jackson movie presents as a basis as to how Michael ended up as lead singer. Some of us were alive and well when certain scenes were depicted and they were not representative of what actually occurred. The movie, for example, shows Michael as being born in 1959 when his year is repeatedly being reported as 1958.
However, leads were often shared with Jermaine with solo parts being interspersed with Jackie, Tito and at times, Marlon. Further, if you want to take the movie to heart, the father was unwilling to single out any brother. Michael being named as lead singer was most likely a Motown decision.
Also, the brothers used to perform without Michael before they became the Jackson Five or Jacksons–something that they are actually doing now. I am actually very happy that they are seemingly holding their own.
Headed to Nashville
July 10th, 2012
5:32 pm
Sam-DUDE-we LOVE MJ…man, give it a rest…I think you are just arguing with yourself, ultimately…
Jermaine was no failure as a solo act…he had a hit or two in the 70s that I’ve never really heard, but, heck, I’ve got 2 or 3 on my iPod from the 80s myself…”Let Me Tickle Your Fancy” (w/Devo), “I Think It’s Love”, “Do What You Do”, and a few others…man-what’s your beef w/the bros????
jay
July 10th, 2012
11:06 pm
Milkin’ that MJ cash cow.
Brad
July 11th, 2012
1:11 am
The Jacksons are all talented michael was more talented and worked harder then the brothers!
Clay
July 11th, 2012
11:21 am
Why are some people comparing the brothers with Michael anyway. They are not trying to compete with him, but simply putting on a show, and paying their tribute. We all know, and so do they, that they have never reached the success that Michael has, but how many people have.
Clay
July 11th, 2012
11:23 am
Remember, these guys are also entertainers. This is what they do! Haven’t they the right to work without being accused of trying to cash in on their brother’s success. And, even if that is the case, at the end of the day…it’s about earning a living.
satch
July 11th, 2012
12:43 pm
jay get real a ton of folks loved the jackson 5.when they first appeared on tv for the first time it was the jackson 5 not mj and the jacksons.so a lot of people have no issue.with these guys touring
Jamie Starr
July 11th, 2012
3:06 pm
Sam: or whomever
Some people can be really ridiculas with the things they say. How plain stupid can you be, to say that Michael was the only one of them that was talented. I’ve been a J-5 fan since ‘71. Some people’s memory seems to be faulty, Jermaine had a wonderful solo career, Jackie did his thing as well. Not to mention, “Body” went to something like (4) in the world in ‘84, and Michael had nothing to do with it. Anyway, I loved and miss Michael too, but J-5 is still larger than life after all these years, they shook the earth in Atlanta.. New album comming!! J-5 forever!!
Mr. D
July 11th, 2012
7:11 pm
It’s obvious that the “Sams” of this world have an axe to grind against the brothers. I say we ignore all of his comments from this point forward, as he simply cannot be reasoned with.
And to put things into perspective for any other critics out there, let me ask you this: What do you do for a living? Are you a painter? A construction worker? a police officer? a banker? What if your brother was the best one of these that ever lived. Does that mean that you cannot have your own career as one? Let’s say that brother and you were partners in a business, and he decided to start his own. Does that mean that you should quit your business and disappear? No, you have a right to carry on and make a living.
Music is all these guys have ever known, and all they want to do is simply continue doing what they have done their entire lives. This tour is a coming out party for the Jackson brothers. At long last, people are finally being able to see the talent they all have had all along.
jay
July 11th, 2012
10:27 pm
Com ‘on people,were talking about a show the brothers put on.Not a battle between michael and his brother’s.they all performers and no how to put on a show which has brought joy to millions of fans around the world.so people like mike said can we all love each other.
jay
July 11th, 2012
10:30 pm
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