Family, Fame, And A Father’s Quest For Fortune: Behind The Curtain Of The Jackson 5

The Jacksons Get a Recording Deal

Laufer/Michael Ochs Archives/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

By 1967, they changed their name to The Jackson 5, and Joe secured a professional contract for the group with Steeltown Records, a local recording label based out of Gary, Indiana. Their first single “Big Boy” aired on radio stations around Chicago and Indiana, and soon the boys became local celebrities.

Then in March of 1969, Joe took his sons to Motown Records in Detroit, Michigan for an audition. Motown wanted them, and Joe quickly signed the contract without even reading it. Gladys Knight had previously sent a demo tape of the boys’ performance to Motown Records, which was sent back to them, rejected. It looked like now was the time for the Jacksons’ big break.