Tito Jackson of the legendary Jackson family discusses childhood chores, Motown acceptance, feeling like the odd one out, the recording process, challenges of being in a powerful family, innovative stage performances, and emotional pain and hidden secrets.
Tito Jackson played a crucial role as a guitarist in the early years of the Jackson 5.
The Jackson 5 transitioned from recording cover songs to writing and producing their own music.
The Jacksons incorporated theatrics and visual elements into their live performances to create a memorable concert experience.
Deep dives
The Jackson 5's Exciting Move to Motown
The Jackson 5's journey to Motown began with an audition where they impressed Berry Gordy. Motown signed them and they quickly started recording their first album. They performed cover songs of popular groups like The Temptations and The Four Tops. Tito Jackson played a crucial role as a guitarist in the group's early years. They idolized groups like the Stairseps and had the opportunity to perform alongside them. The Jackson 5's success led them to sign with Epic Records and start writing and producing their own music.
The Vegas Variety Show and Hanging with Bob Marley
The Jackson 5 experienced success in Las Vegas with their residency and also got the chance to hang out with Bob Marley in Jamaica. Tito Jackson enjoyed collecting and restoring vintage cars, with a particular love for older vehicles like 1920s models. Despite being part of a religious family, Tito had a passion for mechanics and found joy in building and working on cars. The Jackson 5's time in Philadelphia was focused on studio work and they eventually transitioned to writing and producing their own songs.
Recording with Motown and Transition to Epic Records
The Jackson 5 initially recorded with Motown and had multiple number one hits. However, they reached a point where they wanted more creative control and the opportunity to write and produce their own music. They made the transition to Epic Records, where they had the freedom to work on their own songs and collaborate with different producers. Tito Jackson played a pivotal role as a guitarist and contributed his vocals to various songs. The group's move to Epic Records allowed them to explore their own musical style and create a different sound.
Importance of Theatrics in Live Shows
The podcast episode discusses the importance of incorporating theatrics and visual elements into live musical performances. The guest, Tito Jackson, mentions that during their tours, The Jacksons felt they needed to offer more than just music to make their concerts exciting and attract audiences. They aimed to create a show that provided eye candy as well, featuring props and creative ideas to make the concert experience memorable. Tito recalls their pioneering use of theatrics, including exploding boxes and new outfits, which was considered new and exciting at the time.
Balancing Fame and Personal Life
The podcast explores the challenges of maintaining personal relationships and managing fame as a member of the legendary Jackson family. Tito discusses how being part of the Jacksons meant constantly being in the public eye and facing demands from friends, family, and acquaintances. He mentions the importance of setting boundaries and saying 'no' when necessary, even to close family members, to avoid being taken advantage of. Tito also shares his love for his old buddies from Gary, Indiana, and how their longstanding friendship brings him joy and a sense of normalcy amidst the demands of his career.
This week, the world lost a music legend in Tito Jackson. In January of 2020, Questlove Supreme first broadcast this 82-minute interview with the heralded guitarist, vocalist, and member of The Jacksons. As our hearts are heavy in mourning, listen to this lighthearted discussion which was taped in-studio.
