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Induction Ceremony & Concert – 2017, will be held at the historic Music Hall in the heart of the motor city, Detroit, Michigan on June, 11, 2017. Jackson family patriarch, Joe Jackson, will be awarded the 2017 Rhythm & Blues Living Legend Award.

Joe JacksonJoseph Walter “Joe” Jackson was born in Fountain Hill, Arkansas on July 26, 1928 and is the eldest of five siblings. After turning 18 and moving to Chicago to be near his mother, Jackson found himself in a brief marriage and subsequent annulment. Later he met his future wife Katherine Scruse and after dating for a short period of time, Joe and Katherine married on November 5, 1949.

After settling in Gary, Indiana with his family, Joe started out as a amateur boxer and then had aspirations of pursuing a musical career. He then formed a band with his brother Luther called the The Ford Falcons. After playing only local bars and failing to secure a record deal, the group broke up after two years.

In 1964, Jackson discovered his oldest boys had talent and began working with his sons’ musical group. First with Jackie, Tito and Jermaine and then added his younger sons Marlon and Michael. With Michael’s increased vocal presence within the group, they changed their name and thus began their journey as the legendary Jackson Five.

Ultimately Joe Jackson started his own record label, Ivory Tower International Records and signed artists under his management division, which in turn toured internationally with The Jackson 5 as opening acts in 1974. In 1975, the Jackson 5, with the exception of Jermaine, left Motown and signed a lucrative deal brokered by Jackson with Epic Records, which afforded the group an opportunity to produce their own songs. In 1978, Jackson’s youngest son Randy, released his solo single “How Can I Be Sure” under his father’s record label. In 1982, Jackson also managed the careers of his three daughters Rebbie, La Toya, and Janet until they left the company to pursue solo endeavors.