Early Life and Family Background
Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, in 1958. He grew up in a large musical family and began performing with his brothers at a young age. His father, Joe Jackson, organized the group that would later become known as the Jackson 5.
How the Jackson 5 Was Discovered
Joe Jackson nurtured his sons' talent and entered them into local talent shows. In the late 1960s, the Jackson 5 gained wider attention through performances and recordings. Their breakthrough came when they signed with Motown Records, where they were promoted as a young, energetic group.
Key Figures in Michael Jackson's Early Career
Motown founder Berry Gordy played a major role in shaping the Jackson 5's early career. Bobby Taylor, a Motown artist and producer, also helped bring the group to Motown's attention. For more background on the Jackson family, see Michael Jackson biography at Britannica.
