Michael jockson story

Michael Jackson king of Dance

FROM THE JACKSON FIVE TO THE JACKSONS: THE

CHILDHOOD OF THE KING OF POP

Gary, Indiana

In 1950, in northern United States, a region still dominated by the steel industry, Joseph

(known as Joe) and Katherine Jackson set up home in the city of Gary, Indiana, not far

from Chicago. The little house at 2300 Jackson Street had just three rooms, and soon got

too small for the young couple and their growing number of children: Rebbie (born 1950),

Jackie (1951), Tito (1953), Jermaine (1954), La Toya (1956), Marlon (1957) and his

twin, Brandon, who died prematurely, Michael (1958), Randy (1961), and Janet (1966).

Joseph was employed in a steelworks; his job was hard and dreary. With wages of just

over $60 a week, meals were often frugal. To earn some extra money, Joseph turned to

music, specifically, rhythm and blues. He played guitar in a band called The Falcons, who

performed in clubs in Indiana. Sadly, success was not forthcoming, and the group split up.

As for Katherine, she was a young, loving, and caring stay-at-home mom, whose prime

concern was her children’s well-being. She had contracted polio in her youth and still

suffered some of its aftereffects, which caused her difficulties in accomplishing her daily

household chores. However, she could count on the unswerving support of her eldest

daughter, La Toya, who helped bring up her siblings.

One day in 1955, the family TV set broke down. To kill time, Katherine, who was a

great country music lover, gathered her children together in the living room, and they had

fun singing together. She accompanied them on the guitar that Joseph had stored away in

the cupboard after the breakup of his band; he had forbidden his children to go near his

pride and joy.

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