Where Did It All Start For You? Your Love For The Jackson 5

My love for The Jackson 5 started in Toledo, Ohio around the age of 8 and I knew very little with regards to who they were. I didn't realize until much later, the impact they had on millions of people. I can remember my father coming home with a gift for my sister and I.  It was in a brown paper bag (LOL), shaped like a square and we pulled it out and there it was!  The Jackson 5's Greatest Hits album.  Wow!  This was 1980 and the album was released in 1971, so this would be a change for me.  I was used to the sounds of Michael's "Off The Wall" lp and Parliament.  After careful examination of the album cover, mimicking  a family portrait, I knew exactly what it was about those 5 guys from Gary, Indiana that connected to my spirit, they were just kids, they looked like me and they gave me hope that someday I could be a singer too! So many times we (my sister and cousins) sang Jackson 5 songs in our grandmother's basement or kitchen, only to be told "keep that noise down"! As time went by, I began to gravitate even more to their music. I would take my uncle's worn out J5 vinyl and play them when I got home, I started going to record exhibitions to find more albums and then one day I finally "listened" to an album so intensely that I was hooked, that album happened to be the 1970 release of the "Third Album". It was amazing to hear the energy behind so many tracks on that album. I thoroughly enjoyed "Reach In", "Can I See You In The Morning", "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "The Love I Saw In You Was Just A Mirage"...can't forget "Darling Dear". I remember laying on the floor with my headphones glued to my ears and letting the turntable take me on one hell of a musical journey...I miss those days.  As time flew by, poured plenty of effort into collecting their music and any collectible I knew to be rare.  I had a great time doing it and never have I felt such joy in going to the mailbox, knowing a J5 piece of memorabilia was waiting for me.  Fast forward several years later, I'm still a fan, I appreciate what the Jackson 5 meant to the African-American community, the music business and the WORLD!  They're still my favorite group of ALL time!  This blog was put together to share some of the most rare photographs of the Jackson 5 during their trip to Japan in 1973.  Although the tour hadn't been covered heavily as when they first burst on the scene, to me, it's still relevant and you'll get a rare opportunity to see great shots of them during a transitional period with Motown.  I purchased the rights to the photos and they have gone through the copyright process...Keep your eyes open because Scoop is bringing a book to the fans centered around their tour in Japan....soon.

© Adam D. Worthy

One Last Question...

Jackie Jackson being bombarded with questions.  Japan 1973 © Adam D. Worthy

Guess Who?

Behind the tree taking a photo is a Jackson, who is it?  Japan 1973 © Adam D. Worthy

Jackie & Jermaine Chillin' On The Train - Japan 1973

Jackie & Jermaine ridin' the train, Japan 1973 © Adam D. Worthy

Jackson 5 in Hiroshima - Japan 1973

Jackson 5 in Hiroshima, which is the largest island of Japan. 1973 © Adam D. Worthy

Michael Jackson rehearsing for Japan tv show 1973

Michael Jackson seems to be slowin' it down on this one. Japan TV show rehearsal 1973.
© Adam D. Worthy

Michael Jackson Socks Soul To Japan 1973

Michael Jackson on stage in Japan 1973. © Adam D. Worthy

Jermaine that's my new T-shirt! Japan 1973!

© Adam D. Worthy
Jermaine takes a moment to autograph a t-shirt for a fan!

© Adam D. Worthy

J5 Huddle Up

The Jackson 5 take time to go over the plans for the big show during soundcheck. Japan 1973

© Adam D. Worthy

Jermaine So Fresh So Clean

Jermaine trying on his Kimono in Japan 1973.  Bob Jones, former Motown Public Relations expert.

© Adam D. Worthy

Sweet Harmony - J5 in Japan 1973

Marlon, Jackie & Jermaine tighten up the harmonies while rehearsing for a Japanese tv show.

© Adam D. Worthy

J5 Brotherly Love - Michael & Randy - Japan 1973

Michael & Randy take center stage again. Japan 1973.

© Adam D. Worthy

J5 TV Time - Japan 1973

The J5 had time to film a television show in Japan...WOW!!!  Has anyone seen it?  Here they are taking a quick break before rehearsal begins.

© Adam D. Worthy

Michael Jackson Singing His Heart Out - Japan 1973

Michael was such a great singer, even during live shows.  Here he is belting out what looks to be Ben, possibly or maybe Got To Be There at the 2nd Tokyo show. © Adam D. Worthy

In Deep Thought

MJ standing in front of Konnon Do, a Buddhist Temple in Tokyo 1973.  What could he possibly be thinking?

© Adam D. Worthy

Randy Jackson Out Front in Tokyo 1973

Very Superstitious it is!!  Little Randy having fun with the crowd.  Does anyone know for a fact that this shot would be the J5 performing Superstition?  The Stevie Wonder hit for new fans. LOL.

© Adam D. Worthy

J5 in Japan 1973

1973 was a great year for The J5 and they took Japan by storm!  I've always felt that this particular tour should've been heavily covered as it was their first trip to Japan.

© Adam D. Worthy

J5 Fan Becomes More Generous

March 13, 2012 was a turning point for me.  I decided to commit myself to becoming more generous.  For 20 years, I've been collecting Jackson 5 memorabilia and it has been one hell of a ride!  Staying up late nights in the early days of eBay trying to put in the last second bid, spending hard earned money on a weekly basis, competing with other collectors and feeling like a kid on Christmas every time I received my collectibles in the mail.  I've decided to donate items (through Siggy Jackson's radio show http://www.latalkradio.com/Jackson.php) to the fans around the world who may become inspired to start collecting, who may be looking for that "one" special piece to complete their collection or simply making a fan feel phenomenal because they now own a piece of music history!  I hope everyone enjoys and there's more to come.