Patriarch who managed family acts the Jackson 5 and Janet Jackson – but was later accused of cruelty and abuse – died in hospital in Las Vegas
Joe Jackson has died, aged 89. The music manager and father to 11 children, including pop superstar Michael and Janet Jackson, was being cared for in a hospital in Las Vegas. Jackson was said to be in the final stages of terminal cancer. He had previously suffered a stroke in São Paulo in 2015, along with a number of heart attacks. His grandson, Taj Jackson, confirmed the news on Twitter.
Joe Jackson was one of the most monstrous fathers in pop Read more
His fourth child, Jermaine, told the Daily Mail before Jackson’s death that his father had attempted to prevent visits from his family, withholding information about his location and diagnosis. They were permitted to see him on 19 June. “No one knew what was going on,” said Jackson. “We shouldn’t have to beg, plead and argue to see our own father, especially at a time like this. We have been hurting.”
On 24 June, Joe Jackson appeared to tweet from his personal account: “I have seen more sunsets than I have left to see. The sun rises when the time comes and whether you like it or not the sun sets when the time comes.” The tweet was accompanied by a photograph of Jackson looking at the horizon.
However, Paris Jackson, Michael’s daughter, tweeted her doubts that it had come from her grandfather: “This is a beautiful tweet. Though it upsets me to see whoever is in charge of this account taking advantage of it. My grandfather did not tweet this. I’m not sure if he’s ever used this account.”
Facebook Twitter Pinterest The Jackson 5 at Buttes Chaumont Studios, Paris, in 1977. Photograph: Sipa Press/REX
Michael Jackson’s estate released a statement after his death.
“We are deeply saddened by Mr. Jackson’s passing and extend our heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Katherine Jackson and the family,” said John Branca and John McClain, co-executors of the estate. “Joe was a strong man who acknowledged his own imperfections and heroically delivered his sons and daughters from the steel mills of Gary, Indiana to worldwide pop superstardom.”
Joe Jackson’s legacy is the shaping and promotion of the Jackson 5, comprising his sons Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael, and later Randy. The young family band from Gary, Indiana, became a phenomenon in the late 1960s and 70s, with their first four singles, I Want You Back in 1969, and ABC, The Love You Save and I’ll Be There in 1970, topping the Billboard charts.
But Jackson’s legacy is also one of cruelty. In 2003, he told the BBC that he whipped Michael as a child. In 2010, he told Oprah Winfrey that he beat his children with a strap and didn’t regret doing so. “It kept them out of jail and kept them right,” he said. In the 2003 ITV documentary Living With Michael Jackson, the singer told interviewer Martin Bashir that his father would oversee the Jackson 5’s intense rehearsals “with a belt in his hand” and “tear you up, really get you” if one of the brothers missed a step.
“I just remember hearing my mother scream, ‘Joe you’re gonna kill him, you’re gonna kill him, stop it,’” Michael recalled. “I was so fast he couldn’t catch me half the time, but when he would catch me, oh my god it was bad, it was really bad.” Michael also said his father would taunt him about his “fat nose”, and later told Winfrey he was so afraid of his father that he would sometimes vomit when he saw him. In 1979, Michael fired his father as his manager and took control of his career himself. The rest of the Jackson 5 followed suit in 1983.
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Michael and Joe Jackson in 2005. Photograph: Joshua Gates Weisberg/EPA
In her 1991 memoir, La Toya Jackson wrote that her father beat his children and molested her and her sister Rebbie, claims she later said she regretted. Janet Jackson said her father only beat her once, but that they had a distant relationship. She confirmed rumours that he made his children call him by his first name. “‘You call me Joseph,’” she recalled him saying. “‘I’m Joseph to you.’” Receiving the inaugural Janet Jackson award at the 2018 Radio Disney music awards on 22 June, she paid tribute to “my incredible father”, who “drove me to be the best that I can.” Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon have denied that their father was abusive. His wife, Katherine, described his treatment of their children as in keeping with the times.
La Toya tweeted the following tribute: “I will always love you! You gave us strength, you made us one of the most famous families in the world. I am extremely appreciative of that, I will never forget our moments together and how you told me how much you cared. #RIP Joe Jackson”
Joe Jackson was born Joseph Walter Jackson on 26 July 1928 in Fountain Hill, Arkansas, the oldest of five children. His parents split when he was 12 and he moved to Oakland, California, to live with his father Samuel. When he turned 18, he moved to be near his mother in East Chicago, Indiana. In Indiana, Jackson pursued his dreams of becoming a boxer and played guitar in an R&B group called the Falcons. He married Katherine Scuse in November 1949. After the birth of their first child, daughter Rebbie, in 1950, Jackson left boxing and became a full-time crane operator for US Steel to support his family.
Michael Jackson's personal photographer: 'He didn't identify as one gender' Read more
Jackson is survived by his wife, Katherine, and their children Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Randy and Janet. Their seventh child, Brandon, died at one day old on 13 March 1957. Michael Jackson died aged 50 on 25 June 2009. Jackson is also survived by another daughter, Joh’Vonnie, by Cheryl Terrell.
In 2013, Jackson defended his parenting and managerial style on Piers Morgan’s CNN talk show Tonight: “I’m glad I was tough, because look what I came out with,” he said. “I came out with some kids that everybody loved all over the world. And they treated everybody right.”
Joe Jackson, patriarch of pop's most famous family, has died aged 89, his family has said.
Michael Jackson's father had been in hospital with cancer, according to celebrity gossip site TMZ.
The report, citing a family source, said he had died at 3.30am in Los Angeles (11.30am UK time)
Members of his family, including his grandson, have since confirmed his death.
Image: Joe Jackson and Michael Jackson during Michael's trial
In a statement, Michael Jackson's estate said: "We are deeply saddened by Mr Jackson's passing and extend our heartfelt condolences to Mrs Katherine Jackson and the family.
"Joe was a strong man who acknowledged his own imperfections and heroically delivered his sons and daughters from the steel mills of Gary, Indiana to worldwide pop superstardom."
Michael Jackson's daughter Paris Jackson paid an emotional tribute to her grandfather, revealing they shared his final moments together.
She posted a picture on Instagram which appeared to show her and Joe Jackson's hands entwined on a hospital bed.
"Spending those last few moments with you were everything," Paris wrote.
"Being able to tell you everything i needed to tell you before saying goodbye was such a blessing. Everyone that came to visit you, came with love, respect, and so much pride in their hearts for you."
In another Instagram post, Michael Jackson's son Prince Michael Jackson wrote: "Fly free."
Jackson had suffered poor health in recent years, having a stroke and three heart attacks in 2015 and spending time in hospital the year after.
He was separated from his wife Katherine but it is understood she had frequently been at his bedside during his most recent hospital stay.
Jackson stood by his son Michael during his molestation trial, but was criticised after Michael's death for what some people said was an attempt to monetise his memory.
Jackson and his wife had 10 children and were married for 60 years.
Image: The Jackson 5 were one of the biggest pop bands of all time
Jackson also had another daughter, Joh'Vonnie Jackson, with Cheryl Terrell, with whom he had a 25-year affair.
The Jackson musical legacy started as a trio, consisting of Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine, in Gary, Indiana, in the early 1960s.
Marion and Michael then joined to make them the Jackson 5.
They signed a deal with Motown records in 1969 - which catapulted them to global stardom.
But Joe was criticised as the five members of the band told of the abuse they suffered at his hands while he managed them.
Image: Joe Jackson and his wife Katherine at Michael's funeral
Stories emerged of them being forced to carry cinder blocks from one end of the garden to the other, and of them being beaten with tree branches if they got any steps wrong during their five-hour rehearsal periods.
In his autobiography, Michael said: "We'd perform for him and he'd critique us. If you messed up, you got hit, sometimes with a belt, sometimes with a switch.
"My father was real strict with us - real strict."
He spoke about his fractured relationship with his father, saying he had forgiven him in 2001.
Last year Joe Jackson said he was "truly sorry" for the way he treated his children.
His grandson Taj tweeted: "Disgusted by some of the comments I'm reading about my grandpa Joe by those who didn't even know him. Please don't just regurgitate what you were spoon fed by the press. Joe was loved by our ENTIRE family and our hearts are in pain. Let us grieve without the nastiness."
Image: Joe Jackson during Dr. Conrad Murray's trial in the death of his son in Los Angeles
After his death, Rev Jesse Jackson paid tribute, remembering him as "patriarch & creator of one of the most talented American musical dynasties.
"We will remember him as long as his family's music plays. Offering prayers and condolences to the Jackson family," he said.
Three days ago, Jackson hinted at his poor health in a tweet reading: "I have seen more sunsets than I have left to see. The sun rises when the time comes and whether you like it or not the sun sets when the time comes."
Jermaine Jackson spoke to DailyMail.com in the days before his father's death, but said it was "harsh" to describe Jackson as "dying" and denied "revealing" facts of his health.
Jackson is survived by 10 of his children, his wife, and more than two dozen grandchildren.
Joe Jackson's success as an entertainment manager is indisputable, having developed and guided the careers of his superstar children Janet and Michael as well as The Jackson 5.
As a parent however, his legacy will always be marred in controversy after almost all of his children confessed at some point that the patriarch of the family was both emotionally and physically abusive.
That all came to a head after a 1993 interview in which a visibly frightened Michael Jackson told Oprah Winfrey that he had lived in fear of his father for his entire life.
This was not just any interview either, with 90 million people tuning in to watch Michael speak to Oprah, the largest audience ever for a special of its kind at the time and a record that still holds to this day.
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Speaking out: Oprah Winfrey interviewed Michael Jackson in a live television event back in 1993 (above) that was watched by 90 million viewers
Early in the interview Michael opened up to Oprah about his insecurities and the fact that he struggled as a teen with pimples, which made him think he was 'ugly.'
He then told Oprah his father would tell him he as ugly during his days fronting The Jackson 5.
'What's your relationship like with him?' asked Oprah.
'I love my father but I don't know him,' responded Michael.
When asked if he was angry with the man, Michael struggled to answer, and looked to be stalling for time.
He twice repeated the question back to Oprah before stating: 'Sometimes I do get angry. I don't know him the way I'd like to know him. My mother's wonderful. To me she's perfection. I just wish I could understand my father.'
He then revealed how deeply unhappy he was at the height of his fame.
'I felt there wasn't anything important for me to say and those were very sad, sad years for me,' said Michael.
When asked how this was possible given his success, Michael explained: 'Oh, there's a lot of sadness about my past and adolescence, about my father and all of those things.'
Oprah then asked if Michael was teased by his father, and then followed that up by bringing up the allegations of abuse.
'Would he ... did he ever beat you?' asked Oprah.
'Yes,' said Michael.
'He saw me, he wanted me ... I guess I don't know if I was his golden child or whatever it was, some may call it a strict disciplinarian or whatever, but he was very strict, very hard, very stern. Just a look would scare you, you know.'
Michael then explained just how afraid he was of the man by stating: 'Like there's been times when he'd come to see me, I'd get sick, I'd start to regurgitate.'
He added that he was still afraid of the man, then quickly began to apologize.
Trauma: In that interview, Michael said that his father beat him, called him ugly and teased him throughout out his life (Michael and Joe in 1973 above)
Working it out: The pair made up however and Joe stood by Michael's side throughout his subsequent legal battles (above in 2005)
'He's never heard me say this. I'm sorry, please don't be mad at me,' said Michael, who went on to say he still loved his father and had forgiven him.
'But can you really forgive?' asked Oprah.
'I do forgive. There's so much garbage and so much trash that's written about me it is so untrue, they're complete lies, and those are some of the things I wanted to talk about,' said Michael.
'The press has made up so much ... God ... awful, horrifying stories it has made me realize the more often you hear a lie, I mean, you begin to believe it.'
He later revealed that the reason he built Neverland and surrounded himself with children and toys and games was because he never had a childhood.
Joe Jackson passed away on Wednesday at the age of 89.
DailyMail.com revealed last week that the King of Pop's father was on his deathbed and later hospitalized as he battled stage four pancreatic cancer.
A family source tells DailyMail.com that Jackson, who had his wife Katherine by his side when he passed away, faded into unconsciousness on Tuesday.
Katherine made the decision to move Jackson into hospice care over the weekend as his health began to rapidly decline.
The patriarch of the Jackson family had voiced his desire to hold on through Monday said the family source, which marked the ninth anniversary of his son's death.
Jackson and his wife had been living apart for the past few years following a tumultuous 69-year relationship during which Jackson fathered a love child, had multiple affairs and was accused of abusing the couple's children.
Jackson had been ailing for months, but took a turn for the worse in the past two weeks according to sources close to the family.
It is understood that he suffered from a form of dementia and had suffered several strokes in recent years.
'I will always love you! You gave us strength, you made us one of the most famous families in the world,' wrote his daughter LaToya on Wednesday.
'I am extremely appreciative of that, I will never forget our moments together and how you told me how much you cared. #RIP Joe Jackson.'
Joe Jackson, the music manager and father of 11, died early Wednesday morning, TMZ reports. He was 89.
The Jackson family patriarch had been battling terminal pancreatic cancer and was “not doing well” as of late, a source previously told PEOPLE.
Grandsons Randy Jackson Jr. and Taj Jackson confirmed the news in tweets Wednesday afternoon, writing, “RIP to the king that made everything possible! I love you grandpa” and “Joe was loved by the entire family and our hearts are in pain. Let us grieve.”
Prince Michael Jackson, grandson of Joe and son of Michael, captioned a photo on Instagram. “This man is and always will be an example or sheer willpower and dedication. He didn’t choose the path that was the easiest but he choose the path that was best for his family,” he wrote.
“You taught me to take pride in the Jackson name and what it really means, you taught me dedication in the face of adversity and most of all you showed me strength and fearlessness. There is and never will be someone like you. Fly free and until we meet again The Hawk.”
Daughter LaToya added, “I will always love you! You gave us strength, you made us one of the most famous families in the world. I am extremely appreciative of that, I will never forget our moments together and how you told me how much you cared. #RIP Joe Jackson”
I will always love you! You gave us strength, you made us one of the most famous families in the world. I am extremely appreciative of that, I will never forget our moments together and how you told me how much you cared. #RIP Joe Jacksonhttps://t.co/F5UfYjEgYx — La Toya Jackson (@latoyajackson) June 27, 2018
RIP to the king that made everything possible!!! I love you grandpa 🖤🖤 pic.twitter.com/SI1C7lUuG6 — RANDY JACKSON (@randyjacksonjr) June 27, 2018
Disgusted by some of the comments I’m reading about my grandpa Joe by those who didn’t even know him. Please don't just regurgitate what you were spoon fed by the press. Joe was loved by our ENTIRE family and our hearts are in pain. Let us grieve without the nastiness.#ripthehawk — Taj Jackson (@tajjackson3) June 27, 2018
We feel all the love and support from you guys and are extremely thankful 🙏🏽 — Taj Jackson (@tajjackson3) June 27, 2018
Joe Jackson D Steinberg/BEI/REX/Shutterstock
On June 21, son Jermaine told the Daily Mail, “He’s very, very frail, he doesn’t have long. The family needs to be by his bedside — that’s our only intention in his final days.”
Just days later, Jackson appeared to share an emotional tweet hinting at his worsening health struggles. “I have seen more sunsets than I have left to see,” read the caption on a photo of Jackson, in his trademark hat, silhouetted against sun rays. “The sun rises when the time comes and whether you like it or not the sun sets when the time comes.”
However, his granddaughter Paris claimed that the message was in fact not written by the family head. “My grandfather did not tweet this,” she commented. “I’m not sure if he’s ever used this account.”
Over the years, Jackson — who was born on July 26, 1928, in Fountain Hill, Arkansas — had a series of health problems.
In November 2012, he recovered from a minor stroke at his Las Vegas home. Three years later, daughter Janet had to put rehearsals for her Unbreakable World Tour on hold when he suffered another stroke and heart arrhythmia in Brazil on his 87th birthday in July 2015.
In May 2016, he was hospitalized due to a high fever and in June 2017, he was released from the hospital after a car accident in Las Vegas.
Joe Jackson in May 2014 Mike Marsland/WireImage
Joe is survived by his wife Katherine and their children Maureen, 68, Jackie, 67, Tito, 64, Jermaine, 63, La Toya, 62, Marlon, 61, Randy, 56, and Janet, 52.
Son Michael died from an apparent cardiac arrest at age 50 on June 25, 2009. Son Brandon died at birth in 1957.
Joe was also the father of Joh’Vonnie Jackson, 43, the daughter of Cheryl Terrell, whom he had a 25-year-long affair with. Katherine filed for divorce twice but never went through with the separation.
In 1963, Joe noticed his children’s musical talents after he discovered son Tito’s guitar talents. Soon after, Joe served as the manager for The Jackson Brothers, a band formed by sons Jackie, Tito and Jermaine. Then in 1965, Marlon and Michael joined the group and renamed themselves The Jackson 5 in 1966.
Anchored by a 7-year-old Michael, The Jackson 5 found immediate success, becoming the first American group to have four singles land the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Soon after, Joe moved the entire family from Indiana to California.
In 1968, Joe signed a Motown contract—without reading it—that gave the company ironclad control over everything recorded by The Jackson 5, a move that cost the family millions. Michael fired his father as manager in 1983.
In addition, Joe was known as the stern patriarch who was physically and emotionally abusive.
In her 1991 memoir, La Toya wrote that he abused her and terrorized her brothers, often pointing guns at the kids to get their attention. During an Oprah special in 1993, Michael admitted his father had beaten him.
Joe’s estranged relationship with son Michael resulted in him being completely left out of the King of Pop’s will after his 2009 death. Katherine continues to receive more than $1 million annually from the Michael Jackson estate.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
In a 2010 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Joe said, “I don’t [regret the beatings]. It kept them out of jail and kept them right.”
In 2014, Joe opened up about his health in an open letter to daughter Janet.
“When I suffered four strokes last year, and was in the hospital recovering, only two people in my family traveled all the way to see in the hospital. My granddaughter Brandi (Jackie’s daughter) and my baby girl Janet,” Joe wrote. “She sat right next to me as I lay in bed, spent time with me, talking about a lot together. It meant a lot to me. I lay there listening to her as she talked about how she was going to get married. I am happy for her and wish her nothing but the best! I never tell you this, but I am proud of you Janet.”
