The Jacksons Ready First Album Since '89, With Collaborators and 'New Flavors'

[jobeterob]

The Jacksons Ready First Album Since '89, With Collaborators and 'New Flavors'


By Gary Graff, Detroit | February 13, 2014 11:01 AM EST

The Jacksons Ready First Album Since '89, With Collaborators and 'New Flavors'

Jackie Jackson is hoping that having the four active Jacksons in one place for the group's upcoming Las Vegas residency will help the troupe finish its long-in-the-making next album.

"I'm so happy all the brothers will be together in Las Vegas. During the day time they can finish recording and then do the shows during the evening time," Jackson, who resides in Sin City, tells Billboard. He reports that he, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon have "quite a bit" of the album finished -- at least half of it, he estimates -- with a hoped-for early summer completion. And the group is happy with the results so far.

"It sounds like Jacksons music, with today's sounds," Jackie explains. "People still want to hear that Jackson 5 harmony; we can't get away from where we came from. That's what they want to hear. But there's a lot of new flavors we can combine that with. Something like Bruno Mars' 'Treasure,' that's like on old Jacksons song. When I first heard that song I said, 'That could have been on one of ours!' "

The Jacksons are working with a number of contemporary artists and producers, though none are being identified yet. The set will be the first new Jacksons release since 1989's "2300 Jackson Street."

Chart Moves: Michael Jackson's 'Number Ones' Hits 5 Million in Sales


The upcoming stand at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino kicks off Feb. 20, with 40 shows currently on the schedule. Dubbed RockTellz & CockTails, it's an outgrowth of the 2012-2013 Unity Tour, which found the Jacksons on the road together first time since 1984's Victory Tour -- and, obviously, for the first time without Michael Jackson in the lead position and the other brothers covering his parts in the group's songs as well as some of his solo hits.

"We love singing them," Jackie says. "That's our brother, and people want to hear those songs and it's very emotional as well because we try to do the best we can with them. It's kind of a like a tear-jerker moment, but we manage to do OK with it and really enjoy it and people have a great time when we're singing those songs."

The shows -- which come 45 years after the Jackson 5's first hits for Motown -- will be similar to the Unity Tour, Jackie says, except with "lots of glitz and production, because it's Vegas" and also will include a bit more verbiage from the brothers.

"There's going to be a lot of storytelling in this how was well, telling stories that you've never heard before," Jackie promises. Like what? "Ah, I can't let the cat out of the bag," he says with a laugh. "There'll be some significant stories about the Jacksons -- what Michael used to do, what we all did. That's all I can say. But it's gonna be a lot of fun."

He adds that the Jacksons film "everything we do," but no concrete plans have been made yet for a DVD or television broadcast of the show.

Questions? Comments? Let us know: @billboard

[midnightman]

Yeahhhh right... lol

How can you ready something that's only "half done"? FOH lol

[jobeterob]

Exactly. So many of these guys are their own worst press agents and enemies; nothing like having an album that has been coming out right away for the last 10 years. Better to just stay quiet until it's real.

[kenneth]

Does the world really need this?

[Lulu]

mmm...I'll pass...

[jobeterob]

These guys are a little dated and have quite a bit to prove. But I think I've read that Tito has some good abilities and works hard. I think it is "possible" the show could work out but they are going to have to apply themselves, come up with a good product and do a good job. If there are no shows by any of them, if they really aren't up to or ready for the show, they'll be lucky if they last out the 40 shows. These guys are not Michael but they have a chance here to make it or break it.

[marv2]

The Jacksons are legends! They have nothing to prove. They did that over 40 years. They could just come out on stage, sit on stools and talk to the audience and they will still sell tickets on their next stop. NEXT.......

[jobeterob]

The Jacksons are legends! They have nothing to prove. They did that over 40 years. They could just come out on stage, sit on stools and talk to the audience and they will still sell tickets on their next stop. NEXT.......

Time will tell. You are wrong so often that you've probably jinxed them with your prediction!

[kenneth]

Time will tell. You are wrong so often that you've probably jinxed them with your prediction!

Ah Jobeterob...you can't leave it alone, can you? What are we going to do with you?

[jobeterob]

Ah Jobeterob...you can't leave it alone, can you? What are we going to do with you?

Diane hired me! I'm the "Marvolice"!

Sorry.

[milven]

Exactly. So many of these guys are their own worst press agents and enemies; nothing like having an album that has been coming out right away for the last 10 years. Better to just stay quiet until it's real.

Mary Wilson has also been promoting her new CD for the last ten years as "coming out next month", but it still is not here. She, the Jacksons and others do themselves and their fans a disservice when they do that. It makes them appear desperate to be current and revalent and it makes the fans feel that the singer thinks that the fan is naive or stupid since they seem to keep believing the singer.

[jobeterob]

Mary Wilson has also been promoting her new CD for the last ten years as "coming out next month", but it still is not here. She, the Jacksons and others do themselves and their fans a disservice when they do that. It makes them appear desperate to be current and revalent and it makes the fans feel that the singer thinks that the fan is naive or stupid since they seem to keep believing the singer.

Perfectly stated.

And these people are appealing to a market that generally ranges from 50 to 70 years of age. And there is nothing less appealing than these people trying or begging for attention from the twerk crowd. Remember when they tried that with us in the 60's?

[midnightman]

The Jacksons may be "legends" but they sure don't live up to it...

[midnightman]

Mary Wilson has also been promoting her new CD for the last ten years as "coming out next month", but it still is not here. She, the Jacksons and others do themselves and their fans a disservice when they do that. It makes them appear desperate to be current and revalent and it makes the fans feel that the singer thinks that the fan is naive or stupid since they seem to keep believing the singer.

You can say the same thing about Stevie Wonder and, to a lesser extent, Patti LaBelle.

[milven]

You can say the same thing about Stevie Wonder and, to a lesser extent, Patti LaBelle.

My statement was not exclusive to Mary and the Jacksons. That's why I said "She, the Jacksons and others."

[jobeterob]

Aretha Franklin is another one making the same kinds of promises.

For fans from that era, I think we all know that the artists are having struggles releasing any product at all.

[GrtGzu]

I heard only 1/3 of tickets have been sold for the concert in Vegas.....not sure if it's true or not...I grew up with them from the start, and the last concert I went to was the Victory Tour back in 1985 [[I think) - spent 30 bucks to act like a grown up teenager....have to admit that concert was good...

Not this time....I'd spend money to go see Tito, cuz I heard he plays some mean blues on his gui-tar...

[Roberta75]

Diane hired me! I'm the "Marvolice"!

Sorry.

You gonna get heat and called dumb from RossHolloway for calling Miss Ross Diane jobeterob. lol

Roberta

[jobeterob]

Ya, Marv calls me dumb stupid and ignorant all the time. I take it as a compliment.

[midnightman]

I heard only 1/3 of tickets have been sold for the concert in Vegas.....not sure if it's true or not...I grew up with them from the start, and the last concert I went to was the Victory Tour back in 1985 [[I think) - spent 30 bucks to act like a grown up teenager....have to admit that concert was good...

Not this time....I'd spend money to go see Tito, cuz I heard he plays some mean blues on his gui-tar...

Who would wanna see a bunch of 60-year-olds still singing "ABC"? Lol no one was going out to see them on their last tour. IMHO, the Jacksons ceased to do anything musically important after 1989. Janet and to a lesser extent Michael maybe, but the others? Nah. They've became like that other overrated Motown group: all about the drama and tabloids.

[jobeterob]

Who would wanna see a bunch of 60-year-olds still singing "ABC"?

That caricature is funny. Thanks for the image.

[midnightman]

Who would wanna see a bunch of 60-year-olds still singing "ABC"?

That caricature is funny. Thanks for the image.

Seriously lol I had the same problem seeing 50-year-old Michael singing about "when Graham Bell held you he felt electricity..." lmao

Like I get it the bubblegum songs are their past but I'd avoid them for the more grown up material but I guess no one would see them then if they didn't do "I'll Be There" one more again lol

[GrtGzu]

Yesterday I read somewhere that they have cancelled the rest of the show dates due to poor ticket sales...I think the last show is in May or June...Anybody know if this is true?

[jobeterob]

I have not seen that but I know that is exactly what was predicted by many.

[Roberta75]

It look like the last half of the Vegas shows are all cancel.

http://www.ticketmaster.com/search?tm_link=tm_homeA_header_search&user_input=The+jacksons&q=The+jacksons

[jobeterob]

These guys, and us, are just getting too old! And they've got to see the writing on the wall.

[soulster]

mmm...I'll pass... The "new flavors" part of it will turn me off. Programmed drums, generic keyboards, bland arrangements. Bruno Mars, at least, uses a real band.

[midnightman]

It look like the last half of the Vegas shows are all cancel.

http://www.ticketmaster.com/search?tm_link=tm_homeA_header_search&user_input=The+jacksons&q=The+jacksons

Wow... that's embarrassing but they should realize no one wants to see the Jacksons anymore.

[Lulu]

With all due respect to The Jacksons, I have ZERO interest in seeing them without Michael. I have most of Jermaine's Motown and Arista stuff along with all of La Toya's first four [[don't you dare judge me! LOL!) and of course, dear Janet's but I don't get the point of seeing them without their primary lead singer.

[jaybs]

Give them a chance! lets hear what they do first, many top groups we follow only have one member left and are much older!

3T are on UK TV at present on "Big Reunion" okay two may have put some weight on, but vocal wise they are Spot On! and the rest of the artists accept they are in a different league.

[midnightman]

^ Please, we gave them chances for 25 years. So far they've been shooting more blanks than 3T.

[jobeterob]

^ Please, we gave them chances for 25 years. So far they've been shooting more blanks than 3T.

They are deader than the supremes were in 1977. They must need money or something.

[kenneth]

They are deader than the supremes were in 1977. They must need money or something.

All right, Jobeterob, while I agree with you, don't be a provocateur...! Could we at least leave the Supremes out of this one...? Puhleez...?

[jobeterob]

All right, Jobeterob, while I agree with you, don't be a provocateur...! Could we at least leave the Supremes out of this one...? Puhleez...?

oops; sure; honestly no one would care but he who we won't prod into a reply

but the jacksons without Michael are toast

[midnightman]

The Jacksons without MJ just are not an impressive group. Most of them are surprisingly stiff. Jermaine and Tito never had to learn choreography during the Jackson 5 years. Marlon struggled for a number of years to keep up with Michael. Jackie was okay. Vocally, none of them were gonna win a vocal competition with the Temptations. I mean the Sylvers SMOKED them when it came to the overall musical picture. Of all the Motown acts, they've become my least favorite act.

[Lulu]

All right, Jobeterob, while I agree with you, don't be a provocateur...! Could we at least leave the Supremes out of this one...? Puhleez...?

Yes - please...I've had enough Supremes/Diana Ross banter for the week.

[kenneth]

oops; sure; honestly no one would care but he who we won't prod into a reply

but the jacksons without Michael are toast

Their egos are obviously bigger than their wallets I guess.