James Brown Little Richard Jackie Wilson Diana Ross Fred Astaire Sammy Davis Jr Gene Kelly David Ruffin Jackie Jam Sammy Davis Jr.
Jackson was influenced by musicians including James Brown, Little Richard, Jackie Wilson, Diana Ross, Fred Astaire, Sammy Davis Jr., Gene Kelly, and David Ruffin. Little Richard had a substantial influence on Jackson, but Brown was his greatest inspiration; he later said that as a small child, his mother would wake him whenever Brown appeared on television. Jackson described being "mesmerized".
