Jackie Jackson

Sigmund Esco “Jackie” Jackson (born May 4, 1951) is an American singer and songwriter best known as a founding member of The Jackson 5. He was born in Gary, Indiana, as the second child of Joe and Katherine Jackson. Raised alongside his siblings in a working-class household, Jackie took dance and tap lessons early on before pursuing music full-time alongside his brothers.

Jackie’s career took off in the ’60s when he and his brothers Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael Jackson formed The Jackson 5. The group signed to Motown Records and became a global sensation throughout the ’70s with chart-topping hits like “I Want You Back,” “ABC” and “I’ll Be There.” Later rebranded as The Jacksons, they signed to Epic Records and saw success with releases like Destiny (1978) and Victory (1984).

Beyond his group work, Jackie has released solo music: his self-titled debut came out in 1973, and he followed up with Be the One in 1989, which included the single “Cruzin’.” He also cowrote songs for The Jacksons and managed his own label, Jesco Records. Jackie and his brothers were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

Jackie has been married three times. He wed Enid Arden Spann in 1974, and they welcomed children Sigmund “Siggy” Esco Jackson Jr. (born in 1977) and Brandi Jackson (born in 1982) before divorcing in 1986. In 2001, he married Victoria Triggs, and the pair later divorced. In 2012, he eloped with Emily Besselink, and they welcomed twin sons River and Jaylen the following year.