- published: 02 Nov 2014
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Marlon David Jackson (born March 12, 1957) is an American entertainer singer, dancer, former member of The Jackson 5, and elder brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.
Marlon was born in Gary, Indiana, to Joseph and Katherine Jackson as the sixth child of the Jackson family. Marlon's twin brother Brandon died within 24 hours of birth. They were several weeks premature.
Marlon has three children with his wife Carol Ann Parker.
Marlon also has four grandchildren:
He and sister Rebbie Jackson are the only Jackson siblings to have not divorced.
On July 7, 2009, he and his family offered their final eulogies for Michael, saying he was the "soul" of the family, and breaking down as he tearfully addressed the crowd: "Maybe now Michael, they will leave you alone" and "I would like for you to give our brother, my twin brother, Brandon, a hug for me". Marlon fought back tears as he said "I love you Michael and I miss you".
While Marlon was still a child, his older brothers Jackie, Tito and Jermaine formed an early incarnation of what would become The Jackson 5. Marlon and younger brother Michael would soon join the group, initially as percussionists. In the early years of the group it was said that Marlon had trouble singing and keeping up with his brothers dance steps. However through his perseverance he would become a proficient singer, songwriter, producer and dancer. In brother Michael's 1988 book Moonwalk, he would say of Marlon...
Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Often referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records. His contribution to music, dance, and fashion, along with a much-publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades. The seventh child of the Jackson family, he debuted on the professional music scene along with his brothers as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1964, and began his solo career in 1971.
In the early 1980s, Jackson became a dominant figure in popular music. The music videos for his songs, including those of "Beat It", "Billie Jean", and "Thriller", were credited with transforming the medium into an art form and a promotional tool, and the popularity of these videos helped to bring the relatively new television channel MTV to fame. Videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream" made him a staple on MTV in the 1990s. Through stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk, to which he gave the name. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style influenced numerous hip hop, post-disco, contemporary R&B, pop and rock artists.