Marlon Jackson's Real Name: Marlon Jackson

Quick answer: Marlon Jackson is known professionally as Marlon Jackson. The official Jacksons site records that he was born March 12, 1957, in Gary, Indiana, and that he is the sixth eldest child in the Jackson family (The Jacksons). He is an American singer known as a member of the Jackson 5 and the Jacksons and, later, for the solo album Baby Tonight.

Real name and early life

The Library of Congress heading is "Jackson, Marlon," based in part on the 1987 sound recording Baby Tonight. The Jacksons' official biography states that he was born in Gary, is the sixth eldest child in the family, and first joined the Jackson Five as a percussionist, later becoming a dancer and a vocalist during the group's Motown years. His brothers have included Jackie Jackson. This page does not add unsourced childhood anecdotes beyond those official facts.

Career highlights

According to the official biography, he performed with the Jackson 5 in the Motown era and later with the Jacksons after the group's move beyond Motown, and he is credited there with writing the song "Body" with the group on the heels of that later period. In 1987 he released a solo album, Baby Tonight, on which the Library of Congress heading is also based; the official site says the single "Don't Go" reached second place on the U.S. Top R&B charts.

The same official biography describes later business and philanthropic work, including the founding of the Major Broadcasting Cable Network in Atlanta in 1999 with Alvin James, described there as a minority-owned cable network that later became the Black Family Channel and was sold in 2007. It also mentions The Motherland Group, founded in 2008, the Direct Community Assistance Program established in 1990, and the Marlon Jackson Study Peace Foundation, which the site says creates programs meant to promote peace and unity. A 1987 solo album credit is independently supported by the Library of Congress name record, which cites Baby Tonight as a heading source.

Name notes for searchers

Marlon Jackson is the name used by the family's official site and by the Library of Congress. Searchers looking for a Jackson 5 member other than Michael, or for the singer of "Don't Go," are usually aiming at the same person. He should not be confused with other entertainers named Marlon, including the actor Marlon Wayans.