About the Jacksons

Behind every great family are usually a few things you'd probably be better off not knowing. The Jacksons are the First Family of popular music, with apologies to other such clans that run the gamut from the Osmonds to the Osbornes. They're responsible for the Jackson Five, one of the coolest combos to ever grace the recording industry. And over the years, during which Michael Jackson has gone from front kid to front man to wanted man, some tarnish has accumulated on the family legacy.

The news broke recently that the Jackson Five is planning a reunion. Indeed, just as Michael has enjoyed the most success of all the Jackson siblings, he has also attracted the most trouble. His unflattering headlines are too numerous to name, but suffice to say most come under the headings of "Cosmetic Surgery," "Ill-Fated Marriages" and "Child Care."

What all groups need is one star, one front man, to form a connection with audiences. Before he became the King of Pop, Michael was an eight-year-old child shoved to the front of a serious business venture by a demanding and uncompromising father. He could sing, he could dance, and he could win hearts.

The Jackson Five had several hits that have stood up through the years, most notably "The Love You Save," "ABC," "I Want You Back," "Never Can Say Goodbye" and "Dancing Machine." Technically, they lasted from 1966 until 1990, but their heyday extended from their Motown signing in 1968 until around 1985, in the aftermath of the successful "Victory" album and tour in '84.

Since then, they've segued from artists to oddities. Most of the Jacksons have gone off on career and personal tangents. Jermaine converted to Islam and lives most of the time in the Middle East. Marlon became a real estate agent and entrepreneur. Jackie runs a record company. Tito has three sons who formed the group 3T. Randy – who replaced Jermaine in 1975 – managed Michael's business affairs for a time.

The Jackson Five have staged reunions since the old days, the results of which spawns skepticism about this latest venture. They got together for a Motown special in '83, and made another appearance at Madison Square Garden in 2001. But those incidents didn't leave a lingering satisfaction. The first was thoroughly enjoyable, but it came around the time when Michael was cooking in the wake of ‘Thriller,' and it was more about him. The second seemed more out of desperation, as if to remind the world that there was a time when the Jackson Five mattered.

Certainly this alleged 2008 reunion tour could also be condemned as less than genuine. After Michael's trial on sexual molestation charges, his cash reserves have probably evaporated. And the other brothers no doubt could use an influx of revenue, judging by their less-than-spectacular solo careers. It's important for them to know, however, that any more dirt thrown on the family name at this point will only prove counterproductive at the box office and even more detrimental to their musical heritage. The Jacksons over the years have become more like the Kennedys. The ugly truths have overwhelmed the romantic memories. The tell-alls have supplanted the wistful anecdotes. The music, unfortunately, has been dangled off a hotel balcony, to the great horror of onlookers.