Joseph Jackson

Who Was Joseph Jackson?

Joseph Walter Jackson, born on July 26, 1928, in Fountain Hill, Arkansas, was a significant figure in the music industry as the patriarch of the Jackson family and the manager of the renowned group, The Jackson 5. He married Katherine Scruse in 1949, and together they raised ten children. Jackson quickly recognized the musical talents of his children and took on the role of manager for The Jackson 5, leading the group to considerable success in the 1960s and 1970s. However, internal tensions within the group ultimately led to their decision to part ways with him as their manager. Following his death on June 27, 2018, after a battle with cancer, his legacy remained complex; his son Michael Jackson publicly accused him of abuse, claims that some siblings supported while others denied.

Early Life

Joseph Jackson was the eldest of five children in the Jackson family. His father, Samuel Jackson, worked as a high school teacher, while his mother, Crystal Lee King, was a homemaker. Following their separation when Joseph was 12, he moved with his father to Oakland, California, while his mother relocated to East Chicago, Indiana. Jackson experienced a lonely childhood with few friends. At 18, he moved to Indiana to be closer to his mother, where he began to pursue his ambition of becoming a professional boxer. He achieved early success in the Golden Gloves tournament, but his athletic aspirations shifted when he met 17-year-old Katherine Scruse. Although he was married at the time, he quickly annulled his marriage to pursue a relationship with Katherine.

Starting a Family

Joseph and Katherine married on November 5, 1949, and settled in a two-bedroom home in Gary, Indiana. Their first child, Maureen Reilette “Rebbie” Jackson, was born six months later, on May 29, 1950. Joseph made the decision to abandon his boxing career to support his family financially, taking a job as a crane operator at U.S. Steel. Meanwhile, Katherine managed their growing household, eventually giving birth to ten children, although their son Brandon tragically died at birth. While Joseph had stepped back from boxing, he remained determined to achieve success in music. In the mid-1950s, he formed a band called The Falcons with his brother, Luther, but the group disbanded after a couple of years without gaining significant recognition. Joseph subsequently returned to his full-time position at U.S. Steel.

The Jackson 5: A Musical Legacy

In 1963, Joseph Jackson recognized the musical potential of his children after observing his son Tito playing guitar. That same year, Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine formed a group called The Jackson Brothers, with Joseph serving as the manager. He entered the trio into local talent competitions, and by 1965, younger brothers Marlon and Michael had joined the ensemble. In 1966, the group rebranded itself as The Jackson 5 and began to gain recognition within the R&B community.

Under Joseph’s guidance, the group underwent rigorous rehearsals and began performing at increasingly prestigious venues, culminating in a significant engagement at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. Their victory in an amateur night contest led to a record contract with Motown. The Jackson 5 achieved remarkable success, becoming the first American group to have their first four singles reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. With the financial success generated from managing the group, Joseph relocated the family from Indiana to a mansion in Encino, California.

Family Dynamics and Challenges

Despite their professional achievements, tensions arose within the group, leading to significant rifts in the family. Joseph was known for his strict and often abusive disciplinary style, which garnered negative media attention. In 1979, Michael Jackson made the decision to dismiss his father as manager, asserting control over his own career. This decision was later echoed by the remaining Jackson brothers in 1983.

Joseph’s personal life also faced challenges during this period. His wife, Katherine, publicly denounced him following the revelation of an extramarital affair that resulted in the birth of another daughter. Although Katherine filed for divorce twice, she ultimately withdrew both cases. In 1993, Michael addressed the issue of abuse during an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show, recounting the physical and emotional hardships he endured as a child. This revelation further polarized the Jackson siblings, with some supporting Michael’s claims while others denied any abuse occurred.

On June 25, 2009, Michael Jackson passed away unexpectedly. His will designated Katherine as the guardian of his three children, while Joseph received no inheritance from Michael’s estate.

Health Struggles

Joseph Jackson faced health issues later in life. In July 2015, he was hospitalized in Brazil due to a stroke and heart arrhythmia while celebrating his 87th birthday. After receiving treatment, he returned to the United States, but his health remained fragile. He had previously suffered a stroke in 2012 and reportedly experienced other health complications before that. In May 2016, he was hospitalized in Los Angeles but reassured the public through a statement from his publicist that he was doing well.

Final Years and Passing

In June 2018, it was reported that Joseph had been hospitalized with terminal cancer. His daughter, Janet, praised him during her acceptance speech at the 2018 Radio Disney Music Awards, referring to him as an “incredible father.”

Joseph Jackson passed away in the early morning of June 27, 2018, at Nathan Adelson Hospice in Las Vegas, Nevada, just a month shy of his 90th birthday. A statement from the executors of Michael Jackson’s estate expressed condolences: “We are deeply saddened by Mr. Jackson’s passing and extend our heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Katherine Jackson and the family. We had developed a warm relationship with Joe in recent years and will miss him tremendously.”