when did the jackson 5 sign with motown
The Jackson 5 The Jackson 5, or Jackson Five, currently known as the Jacksons, are an American family music group. Formed in 1964, the founding members were elder brothers Jackie, Tito and Jermaine. Younger brothers Marlon and Michael would join soon after. They participated in talent shows and performed in clubs on the Chitlin' Circuit. They entered the professional music scene in 1967, signing with Steeltown Records and releasing two singles with the Steeltown label.[1] In 1969, the group left Steeltown Records and signed with Motown.
I Want You Back "I Want You Back" was released on October 7, 1969[5] and was the first Jackson 5 single to be released by Motown[6] and the first song written and produced by The Corporation, a team comprising Motown chief Berry Gordy, Freddie Perren, Alphonso Mizell, and Deke Richards.[4] It also is the first of four Jackson 5 number-ones released in a row (the others being "ABC" – 1970, "The Love You Save" – 1970, and "I'll Be There" – 1970) and the first Jackson 5 song recorded in Los Angeles, California; the quintet had previously been recording Bobby Taylor-produced covers, including "Who's Lovin' You", the B-side to "I Want You Back", at Hitsville U.S.A. in Detroit, Michigan. The "I Want You Back" bassline is considered by many as the greatest of all time[by whom?] and thus has sparked many debates about who played the bass during the recording. Famously The Funk Brothers were Motown's backup musicians and after the company's relocation to Los Angeles band members changed.[7] Many tend to believe that it was James Jamerson who played the bass during recording but he was most active from 1962-1968. During the later years of his career Jamerson had grown unreliable due to substance abuse.[7] Most evidence suggest that a new member of the Funk Brothers, Wilton Felder, was the bassist.[8]