Michael Jackson In Music
by Paul Cashmere – June 26 2009
Michael Jackson was only 9 years old when he began what was to become a remarkable career.
‘Big Boy’ was the first single released by The Jackson 5 in January, 1968. Only 10,000 units of the single were released through indie label Steeltown Records.
The group were paid 3 cents for every single sold and spilt the money evenly. Father, Joe Jackson had his boys performing the song live at strip clubs to get promotion and publicity.
They released just one more song for Steeltown Records. It was ‘We Don’t Have To Be Over 21 (To Fall in Love). An album featuring both singles was recorded but not released until discovered in 1995.
The Jackson 5 moved to Motown and the rest was history. The first Motown single, ‘I Want You Back’ sold more than 2 million singles in 1969 and started a run of number one hits. Next came ‘ABC’, ‘The Love You Save’, ‘I’ll Be There’. At this stage, Michael was 11 years old.