The Return of the Jackson 4

[marybrewster]

http://news.yahoo.com/without-michae...133822401.html

BURBANK, Calif. [[AP) — Guided by a thumping bass line from their backing band, the Jackson brothers strut forward to a row of four microphones, thrusting their pelvises along the way, before launching into "Can't Let Her Get Away," a song their superstar sibling released on his "Dangerous" album. If they had afros and matching powder blue suits, it might feel like 1977 again.

It doesn't. They're casually sporting sunglasses, workout gear and a few more pounds than when they, along with the future King of Pop, were simply known as the Jackson 5. [[Also, "Can't Let Her Get Away" was released in 1991 after the group fizzled out.)

Nearly three years since Michael died while preparing for his comeback tour, four of his brothers — Marlon, Jermaine, Tito and Jackie — are set for their own return to the stage as The Jacksons. It hasn't been easy.

"The brothers don't know this, but I've broken down several times and cried during rehearsals," said Jermaine during a recent rehearsal break on a soundstage in Burbank, Calif. "I'm so used to Michael being on the right and then Marlon, Jackie, on and on. It's just something we never get used to."

The brothers are launching their "Unity" tour on Wednesday, five days ahead of the third anniversary of Michael's death from an overdose of the anesthetic propofol on June 25, 2009.

"For me, this cycle that comes around every year — this day, that day — that doesn't affect me because it affects me every day," said Marlon. "When that day comes around, it's the same. You learn to live with it. I still wake up sometimes and go, 'Jeez. I can't believe my brother's not here.'"

Following Michael's death, the four brothers appeared in the A&E reality series "The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty," which chronicled their loss and attempt to stage a comeback before their brother died.

Jermaine said the brothers have wanted to reunite on their own for years, but after Michael's passing, they needed time to heal — and the tour is another step in that process. They've rearranged their classics to suit their voices, and Jermaine said the group plans to pay tribute to Michael during their shows with a slideshow and medley that will conclude with the tune "Gone Too Soon."

"There's certain songs that make you feel the sorrow," said Tito. "Then again, there are other songs that bring so much joy and happiness, such as 'ABC' and 'I Want You Back' and the up-tempo stuff like 'This Place Hotel.' I just imagine how he used to walk and spin and do all these things. You can feel his presence here."

The Jacksons' tour kicks off at Rama Casino in Ontario, Canada, and is scheduled to end July 29 at the Snoqualmie Casino Amphitheater in Snoqualmie, Wash. Other stops include Detroit's Fox Theatre, Los Angeles' Greek Theatre and Harlem's sold-out Apollo Theatre, where the Jackson 5 won an amateur night in 1969 before rocketing to fame.

Michael later forged unprecedented success as a solo artist. His superstardom was unrivaled, and his brothers couldn't capture similar acclaim or sales with their solo projects or last studio album, 1989's mostly Michael-less "2300 Jackson Street," but their legacy as a group has remained unchanged. The Jackson 5 were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

While various combinations of the brothers have reunited to perform over the years, including at last year's "Michael Forever" tribute concert in Wales, "Unity" will mark the first time the brothers have toured together since their final "Victory" outing in 1984. [[Marlon said Randy, who officially joined The Jacksons in 1975, elected not to join the tour but noted that the youngest Jackson brother was welcome at any time.)

"We have a certain magic," said Jackie. "Once we get out here and run it down a couple times, it comes back to you. I'm not [[moving) like I used to, but we still got it."

Will the fans think so — and will they turn out to see The Jacksons, whose ages now range from 55 to 61, perform their hits without Michael?

Last year, Cirque du Soleil launched "Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour" in Las Vegas. The show featuring dancers and acrobatic acts performing routines set to M.J. tunes has been among the top touring acts this year, and "Immortal" will return to Vegas for a residency at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.

However, Gary Bongiovanni, editor-in-chief of concert industry trade publication Pollstar, doesn't believe The Jacksons will achieve similar success with their smaller endeavor.

"The Jacksons were really all about Michael," said Bongiovanni. "The Cirque du Soleil show was successful because it was Cirque du Soleil and Michael's music. I don't know if that portends much for the remaining brothers and their ability to generate enthusiasm for ticket sales."

The brothers are undaunted, hoping to release an album of new music then go back out on tour.

"It's like riding a bike," said Marlon. "You never forget, but you do need to tweak a few things."

[Penny]

Mary, thank you. I am torn about going to this. I have thought about it but it doesn't seem right without Michael. The Jacksons are legends though so maybe I should go before any of the rest of them join Michael.

Penny

[jobeterob]

I would go see it if you can Penny. It won't be the old days but it is a chance to see something connected with the past and that is the best you can do.

It's a bit odd that the Cirque du Soleil has been so successful and the brothers have to come out on a much smaller scale.

[jobeterob]

It's never going to be like this, is it!

[marybrewster]

I would go see it if you can Penny. It won't be the old days but it is a chance to see something connected with the past and that is the best you can do.

It's a bit odd that the Cirque du Soleil has been so successful and the brothers have to come out on a much smaller scale.

Smaller scale? Diana Ross played the Rama Casino on September 17, 2010. Are you saying.....?

[jobeterob]

The article says:

However, Gary Bongiovanni, editor-in-chief of concert industry trade publication Pollstar, doesn't believe The Jacksons will achieve similar success with their smaller endeavor.

And Cirque du Soleil has been one of the biggest successes of the past year ~ in fact, it might be the biggest concert draw of the year. [[The executors of Michael's estate have done an excellent marketing job). I always wonder if it is not possible to do something similar for Whitney Houston - something that generates big bucks for another estate where there are financial questions.

And Miss Ross? Well..........her Central Park days are over; those kinds of crowds are from another era. And while her voice has held up much better than many voices - Martha Reeves, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin - this is not 1979 in that respect either.

[carlo]

Smaller scale? Diana Ross played the Rama Casino on September 17, 2010. Are you saying.....?

Casino Rama is located up north in Orillia, here in Ontario. It is by no means a smaller scale type of venue, even though it's a casino. Huge names bring their tours/acts there because they pay really well and the venue is a considerable size. It's just odd because it's pretty much in the middle of nowhere, but tons of people go there to see the shows and to gamble. Diana was there in 2002, 2007 and 2010.

[jobeterob]

The Jackson 4 might do OK; it really depends on how hard they've worked and how much they've thought this show through. They've got legitimate connections and it they do it with style and grace, it could do OK. If it's tacky, if they are out of physical and vocal shape, if they embarrass themselves in imitation ~ then it'll fail.

It will be interesting to see if these guys can sing and what this sounds like.

Looks like they have got some decent venues to get it a go in.

[Penny]

The Jackson 4 might do OK; it really depends on how hard they've worked and how much they've thought this show through. They've got legitimate connections and it they do it with style and grace, it could do OK. If it's tacky, if they are out of physical and vocal shape, if they embarrass themselves in imitation ~ then it'll fail.

It will be interesting to see if these guys can sing and what this sounds like.

Looks like they have got some decent venues to get it a go in.

Thank you jobeterob for your input. You are right I think I'd better go. It is a celebration of the past and they are also Motown legends. It just seems a bit difficult without Michael but it must be even harder for them. I hope their tour works out well for them,

Penny

[markdtiller]

I wonder why Randy didn't join them?

[smark21]

Randy didn’t do that tacky reality show the brothers did after Michael’s death. Maybe he’s content to live his life outside the public eye and not be tacky like some of his family members?

[milven]

I wonder why Randy didn't join them?

It may be that Randy still is still mad at Jermaine. There is a complicated situation there where Jermaine had children with Randy's wife or ex-wife. It's really complicated to sort out but the children are half siblings and first cousins. I thought they made up during Michael's trial, but maybe the feud has resumed

[Penny]

Randy didn’t do that tacky reality show the brothers did after Michael’s death. Maybe he’s content to live his life outside the public eye and not be tacky like some of his family members?

smark21, you may very well be correct. But "tacky" is what the United States seems to be all about these days.

Penny
Still schlepping AVON

[marybrewster]

It may be that Randy still is still mad at Jermaine. There is a complicated situation there where Jermaine had children with Randy's wife or ex-wife. It's really complicated to sort out but the children are half siblings and first cousins. I thought they made up during Michael's trial, but maybe the feud has resumed

SCANDAL!

I always thought Jermaine was a pig anyway. But maybe that's what jealousy does when you live in the shadow of your younger, more talented sibling.

[jobeterob]

Michael and Tito and Rebbie got an overdose of Katherine genes.

Jermaine and Latoya only got Joe genes.

[Bokiluis]

Ticketmaster is listing many dates on this tour as "canceled".

[Roberta75]

Ticketmaster is listing many dates on this tour as "canceled".

My cousin in Detroit was offered 6 free orchestra tickets for tonight's show. She was told the Fox Theater which holds about 5,000 people has only sold 900 or so tickets.

Unfortunately my cousin has a wedding to attend tonight and can't go which is a shame as I'm sure the Jacksons will put on a good show.

Roberta

[smark21]

Review of opening night of the tour:

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/06/21...th-a-few-bumps

[luke]

Youd think they'd at least mention Randy--geeez.

[Roberta75]

A nice review from Detroit. They note that 11 dates have been canceled on this tour but a second leg is being added.

http://www.billboard.com/events/mich...07410752.story

[dvus7]

Review of opening night of the tour:

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/06/21...th-a-few-bumps

I thought that the set-list was quite intresting!!!!!

[jobeterob]

It is an interesting set list. They aren't playing up the Michael connection all that much; perhaps they can't really do him justice. If the tour doesn't do well, I bet they try and up that connection.

[dvus7]

It is an interesting set list. They aren't playing up the Michael connection all that much; perhaps they can't really do him justice. If the tour doesn't do well, I bet they try and up that connection.

I think that they are giving Michael his "due" giving that Michael was the original "one" that had stop them from touring!!!

[skooldem1]

I think that they are giving Michael his "due" giving that Michael was the original "one" that had stop them from touring!!!

I was wondering about that. The brothers are talented. Jermaine had a successful and solid solo career. I never understood why they all but retired after "Thriller" hit. Its like they became Michael Jackson groupies and not musicians in their own right. The whole family started talking like Michael, dressing like Michael, getting plastic surgery like Michael, etc. Jermaine should have continued with his solo career.

[dvus7]

I was wondering about that. The brothers are talented. Jermaine had a successful and solid solo career. I never understood why they all but retired after "Thriller" hit. Its like they became Michael Jackson groupies and not musicians in their own right. The whole family started talking like Michael, dressing like Michael, getting plastic surgery like Michael, etc. Jermaine should have continued with his solo career.

Michael had the "power" and used the Power to stop them from touring!!!!!

[smark21]

I don’t think it was Michael using his power to stop them [[ I suspect he would have preferred if they had moved on without him) but more that their only album pretty much without him, 2300 Jackson St., just didn’t sell so there was likely no interest in promoters to book them in any type of gig they would have been interested in doing at that stage of their lives.

[Penny]

Maybe Michael will look down on them from heaven and help them with their tour. I am hoping to see them.

Penny

[milven]

The "Jackson 4" will be on Jimmy Fallon tonight at 12:35 a.m. on NBC. Also on the show is LMFAO, the group that Berry Gordy's son is a part.

[dvus7]

I don’t think it was Michael using his power to stop them [[ I suspect he would have preferred if they had moved on without him) but more that their only album pretty much without him, 2300 Jackson St., just didn’t sell so there was likely no interest in promoters to book them in any type of gig they would have been interested in doing at that stage of their lives.

Michael used his power to persude the promoters not to work with the Jacksons and then he took the Jacksons and signed them to his label and then did not allow them to release anything!!!!What do you call this????

[rod_rick]

Maybe Michael will look down on them from heaven and help them with their tour. I am hoping to see them.

Penny

Here's your chance Penny, check out this clip. I think the brothers do pretty well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0dci...eature=related

[smark21]

Michael used his power to persude the promoters not to work with the Jacksons and then he took the Jacksons and signed them to his label and then did not allow them to release anything!!!!What do you call this????

I didn’t know that. Can you elaborate about this? This sounds very interesting. Is there an article on the net you can link to?

[stephanie]

There were a lot of people there and they sound good to me.

[smark21]

Here's a review of last night's show at the Apollo: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertain...icle-1.1104472

Did anyone here attend that show?

[milven]

They will be on THE VIEW this morning

[marv2]

I saw clips from the show at the Apollo on local news last night. They looked and sounded pretty good.

[dvus7]

I didn’t know that. Can you elaborate about this? This sounds very interesting. Is there an article on the net you can link to?

All the Michael did was he sent the "word" out to the promoters that if they worked with his brothers that they would not have an opportunity to promote any of his concerts!!! He then moved the Jackson recording contract to his label and refused to record them!!!

[jobeterob]

All the Michael did was he sent the "word" out to the promoters that if they worked with his brothers that they would not have an opportunity to promote any of his concerts!!! He then moved the Jackson recording contract to his label and refused to record them!!!

What had they done to cause him to do that? Sounds pretty extreme. Did he feel they were taking advantage of his success? Jermaine? Would he do such a thing?

[marv2]

Michael used his power to persude the promoters not to work with the Jacksons and then he took the Jacksons and signed them to his label and then did not allow them to release anything!!!!What do you call this????

He also steadfastly refused to participate in any reunion concerts upon the advice of one of his long time "mentors".

[smark21]

All the Michael did was he sent the "word" out to the promoters that if they worked with his brothers that they would not have an opportunity to promote any of his concerts!!! He then moved the Jackson recording contract to his label and refused to record them!!!

Ok…but can you provide a source? Right now, your post is still on the level of gossip and hearsay.

[smark21]

NY Times gives the Apollo show a pretty good review and the critic seemed to especially enjoy Jermaine and Marlon.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/30/ar....html?ref=arts

[dvus7]

What had they done to cause him to do that? Sounds pretty extreme. Did he feel they were taking advantage of his success? Jermaine? Would he do such a thing?

Do you remember "Word to the Badd"?

[dvus7]

Ok…but can you provide a source? Right now, your post is still on the level of gossip and hearsay.

The source is the "the actions speaks for itself!!!!" OK!!!Why did they not tour until after his death!! Common sense

[juicefree20]

Dvus...

Chalk it up to the "curiosity factor". Often-times when tragedy strikes, a group can sometimes catch lightning in a bottle while they're still fresh in the public's eye & consciousness.

Now let's remember that for several years, Michael was at odds with SONY specifically, the industry in general & compared to what they had been, his sales were definitely on the decline. So given that as fact, if Michael indeed had conspired against his brothers by having them "blackballed", then what better way for the industry to strike back at him by putting his brothers on & attempting to push them & elevate them above him?

And we know that if there had been enough money in it to make it worth their while, the average company would've pushed just about anyone. So regardless of what Michael might have tried to do, considering how things were going, had their been a great outcry for The Jacksons MINUS Michael Jackson, that's exactly what we'd have gotten.

Think about it.

[juicefree20]

I can break this down a little further, but will wait to read any additional thoughts before diving in further.

[dvus7]

Dvus...

Chalk it up to the "curiosity factor". Often-times when tragedy strikes, a group can sometimes catch lightning in a bottle while they're still fresh in the public's eye & consciousness.

Now let's remember that for several years, Michael was at odds with SONY specifically, the industry in general & compared to what they had been, his sales were definitely on the decline. So given that as fact, if Michael indeed had conspired against his brothers by having them "blackballed", then what better way for the industry to strike back at him by putting his brothers on & attempting to push them & elevate them above him?

And we know that if there had been enough money in it to make it worth their while, the average company would've pushed just about anyone. So regardless of what Michael might have tried to do, considering how things were going, had their been a great outcry for The Jacksons MINUS Michael Jackson, that's exactly what we'd have gotten.

Think about it.

@ juicefree.....Tell me this could SONY stop Michael from touring????since he was at odds with them!!!There is no way that a record company can promote the "jacksons" without Michael!!! MICHAEL WAS THE STAR!!!! In more ways than one!!

[smark21]

The source is the "the actions speaks for itself!!!!" OK!!!Why did they not tour until after his death!! Common sense

So you have no concrete evidence, primary documentation or a valid link to provide. In other words, you’re going based on what you imagine might be the case and not any facts.

[juicefree20]

Smark,

I address that in the post that I wrote but held back in order to see if there were any other additional thoughts forthcoming. But all things considered, if SONY, Epic or anyone else had believed that there was a truckload of money to be made, then that truckload of money would've been made. And despite Michael's popularity, had the fans of The Jacksons had any inkling that he was trying to keep them from what they wanted...music & tours from The Jacksons MINUS Michael, Michael would've taken a very negative hit publicity-wise. It would've gone against his image & Michael, nor SONY would've wanted that.

The truth was that for the vast majority of the world whom didn't grow up watching Soul Train, Michael was THE MAN. Michael had the style, Michael had the charisma, Michael had it all & from the day that he stepped on that stage at "Motown 25", everything changed forever. ''Motown 25" represented a "passing of the torch", so to speak. He stole that show from legends. Michael was the ''here & now'' & that performance elevated Michael from everything that had come before, even The Jacksons. There's no way that that can be disputed, it's just the way that it was.

I've always read about music, I was a DJ at the time & just based upon what was happening with Michael, The Jacksons & music in general between the years 1982 when "Thriller" dropped", through the "Victory" LP in 1984 & beyond, had it made economic sense for SONY or Epic to put the brothers on, they'd have been put on. Michael indeed had power, but I don't believe for one second that he had to have his brothers "blackballed".

As long as Michael was "MICHAEL" & was going to perform solo, no threats, perceived or otherwise was necessary. Nor do I believe that Michael would've gone out of his way to hurt 3 other brothers in order to get back at one brother. A brother, by the way who hadn't followed them out of Motown until many years later & wasn't a part of the success that they had following their exit from Motown.

I don't believe that Michael harbored that much dislike for Tito, Jackie, Marlon nor Randy. As mentioned, there was indeed the "Word 2 The Badd" episode & we know about the whole Jack Gordon situation. LaToya wasn't a part of the "2300 Jackson St." project & Jermaine had previously reunited with his 5 brothers for the "Victory" tour, after which he & Marlon left the group & for the most part, the music industry & Michael went back to his solo career.

I can't understand why Michael would've felt to need to have ALL of his brothers "blackballed", when it was merely one of them [[who wasn't even a part of the group) who was somewhat guilty of pursuing a rivalry with him. Why would he have tried to hurt ALL of his brother to get back at ONE who for all intent & purposes wasn't even a part of the group?

I don't believe that because given the public sentiment at the time, Michael is who the world wanted & at that point in time, his brothers were no threat to his sales, touring, airplay or anything. One other thing to consider is that back then you never heard Jermaine talking about getting together with Tito, Jackie, Marlon & Randy & doing anything. All that we ever heard was that Michael was coming back & they would be touring & recording together, a attempted manipulating that probably made Michael even more stedfast in NOT returning.

That & as I mentioned earlier some of what we saw in their reality show may give a bit of an indication of what Michael msy hve had to deal with when recording or touring. I don't believe that Michael would've wanted to deal with that kind of drama, nor as the "little" brother to be expected to be subservient to one whom he had eclipsed years before.

Not having been there I may be wrong, but considering the oft-stated history that I DO know, I just can't back any conspiracy claim.

Curiously, the banishment didn't extend to Janet who gave Michael a real run for his money for quite awhile there. I don't believe that there was a conspiracy simply because there was no conspiracy necessary.

Perhaps in my next post I'll address the various reasons why none was necessary. And by placing things within the context of THOSE times, rather than nearly 30 years of hindsight, I think that my points will make perfectly good sense.

[juicefree20]

Smark,

As regarding SONY's stopping Michael from touring. Frankly, I don't believe that anyone could've been able to stop him from touring. If the demand was there, then I can't think of any contractual language that would've stopped him. As I recall it, I believe that it was his illness around the time of "Dangerous" that pretty much ended that tour.

HOWEVER...usually tours accompany an LP or new product to sell. If the product isn't really moving well, then that's an indicator that it's either not being promoted very well, or that it's simply not what the people want at that given time.

Now to me, given his world-wide popularity, it doesn't seem that one would have to actively "push" nor promote Michael, as he had & still has a loyal GLOBAL fanbase, that was & is simply unbelievable. Despite industry machinations, I believe that as long as Michael was alive, he could've performed just about anywhere in this world, especially overseas & continued to draw crowds that the average performer could only dream of. I don't believe for even a moment that SONY could've affected his ability to tour as Michael's fan base was so ridiculously large, that new product or not, Michael likely could've toured from now until hell froze over & filled arenas merely on the strength of his massive body of work.

If anything at all truly hurt Michael's ability to tour it would've been the media's constant attempts to mock him, as well as what I've always believe to be those false allegations against him. Not for one moment did I believe that he ever did anything to anyone & regardless of what many may believe, I do believe that he was set-up by adults who had a easy payday on their minds.

I believed that then & knowing & having seen similar things happen to people whom I know, I believe it even more today than I did yesterday. Now one can question his judgement if they choose to, but bad judgement doesn't necessarily equate to anything other than just that...bad judgement.

With that said, I find it somewhat strange to think back & remember how many of his fans & how many critics were somewhat perturbed by his alliance with Teddy Riley for the "Dangerous" LP. Ironically, this was his fastest selling LP in the U.S. Despite this fact, how often do you hear or read it being compared favorably to "OTW", "Thriller" or "Bad"? That New Jack Swing connection wasn't exactly appreciated by many of his fans, as it's sound was a bit "TOO" urban for many of his fans. It appears to me that when you hear most fans talk about his "great" music, they very often reference "Off The Wall", "Thriller" & "Bad".

As an example, how often do you hear "Dangerous" referred to as a "great" LP? Now for my money, "Remember The Time", "In The Closet'', "Who Is It" & "Can't Let Her Get Away" are damned good & I put "Remember The Time" up there with any of his solo recordings. But let's look at just a few songs from that LP & think about which ones seem to be more frequently played & referenced most often after the passage of roughly 21 years & I'll stick with the 9 which were actually released the 1st time around...

Remember The Time
In The Closet
Who Is It
Heal The World
Will You Be There
Gone Too Soon
Black Or White
Jam
Give In To Me

Now despite their respective chart positions upon their release, which of these songs do you hear more often on mainstream radio or referenced as being "classics"?

Ironically, all things considered, one could argue that this was considered by many in the U.S. to have been his last "great" LP. Unfortunately, subsequent events & the nonsense which accompanied the single "They Don't Really Care About Us" from his next LP, "Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix" seemed to be where the true disconnect came into play, displaying a shocking & dramatic fall off in sales.

And we know why that proved to be the case & upon reflection, it seemed to be more driven by vendettas than anything else. And that, more than anything that SONY could've done is what would've had much more of a negative effect on his touring. I might add that to be the case here in the states, as many of his overseas fans have seemed to be more supportive of him during his trials than more than a few of his fans proved to be here at home.

But he's got a lot of loyal fans here, but the press here smelled blood, which might've made things a bit rougher for him here.

[dvus7]

@ juicefree....I agree with you 110%, that performance changed everything!!! Remeber it ws not live, and MICHAEL had "editorial" contol over the segments that he appeared in!!!![[Please look inide the quotesto review the other replys)

Smark,
The truth was that for the vast majority of the world whom didn't grow up watching Soul Train, Michael was THE MAN. Michael had the style, Michael had the charisma, Michael had it all & from the day that he stepped on that stage at "Motown 25", everything changed forever. ''Motown 25" represented a "passing of the torch", so to speak. He stole that show from legends. Michael was the ''here & now'' & that performance elevated Michael from everything that had come before, even The Jacksons. There's no way that that can be disputed, it's just the way that it was.

As long as Michael was "MICHAEL" & was going to perform solo, no threats, perceived or otherwise was necessary. Nor do I believe that Michael would've gone out of his way to hurt 3 other brothers in order to get back at one brother. A brother, by the way who hadn't followed them out of Motown until many years later & wasn't a part of the success that they had following their exit from Motown.

I don't believe that Michael harbored that much dislike for Tito, Jackie, Marlon nor Randy. As mentioned, there was indeed the "Word 2 The Badd" episode & we know about the whole Jack Gordon situation. LaToya wasn't a part of the "2300 Jackson St." project & Jermaine had previously reunited with his 5 brothers for the "Victory" tour, after which he & Marlon left the group & for the most part, the music industry & Michael went back to his solo career.

@ Juicefree...IF you don't beleive it...Then tell me why? the Jacksons did not tour until his passing.Remeber Joe was going to tour with a poster if MIchael, in fact, that poster was used in the "Torture" video...LOL!!

I can't understand why Michael would've felt to need to have ALL of his brothers "blackballed", when it was merely one of them [[who wasn't even a part of the group) who was somewhat guilty of pursuing a rivalry with him. Why would he have tried to hurt ALL of his brother to get back at ONE who for all intent & purposes wasn't even a part of the group?

I don't believe that because given the public sentiment at the time, Michael is who the world wanted & at that point in time, his brothers were no threat to his sales, touring, airplay or anything. One other thing to consider is that back then you never heard Jermaine talking about getting together with Tito, Jackie, Marlon & Randy & doing anything. All that we ever heard was that Michael was coming back & they would be touring & recording together, a attempted manipulating that probably made Michael even more stedfast in NOT returning.

@ Juicefree....Jackie would announce, too that the Jackson w/ Michael were in the recording studio!!

That & as I mentioned earlier some of what we saw in their reality show may give a bit of an indication of what Michael msy hve had to deal with when recording or touring. I don't believe that Michael would've wanted to deal with that kind of drama, nor as the "little" brother to be expected to be subservient to one whom he had eclipsed years before.

@ Juicefree...It is highly, unlikely that "Thrilller" would have been a Jackson product!!! Michael did not want to relinquinches the "creative"control he had goteen since "Thriller" Michael appeared in NO videos for "Victory" and onl sung on a couple of cuts!!!

Not having been there I may be wrong, but considering the oft-stated history that I DO know, I just can't back any conspiracy claim.

Curiously, the banishment didn't extend to Janet who gave Michael a real run for his money for quite awhile there. I don't believe that there was a conspiracy simply because there was no conspiracy necessary.

@ Juicefree....Michael could not stop Janet...They were not tied to one another..She had her "own" recording contract!! The Jacksons nver had a "Control/Off the Wall" album!!!

Perhaps in my next post I'll address the various reasons why none was necessary. And by placing things within the context of THOSE times, rather than nearly 30 years of hindsight, I think that my points will make perfectly good sense.

[jaybs]

The Past is that! all the matters is the Future and I wish The Jackson Four all the best, quite impressed with all the video's I have seen from this tour.