Jermaine Jackson: The Soulful Voice of the Jackson Dynasty

Jermaine Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, and bassist who first rose to fame as an original member of the legendary Jackson 5. Hailing from Gary, Indiana, his solo career, launched in the 1970s, achieved significant success with multiple gold-certified albums and the chart-topping duet "Tell Me I'm Not Dreamin' (Too Good to Be True)" with brother Michael Jackson.

Early career

Born in 1954, Jermaine L. Jackson was a foundational piece of the family group that would become the Jackson 5, often sharing lead vocal duties with his younger brother Michael. Signed to Motown in 1969, his distinct baritone was featured on early hits like "I Want You Back" and "I'll Be There," while he also established himself as the group's bassist.

Breakthrough

Jermaine's solo breakthrough came with his 1980 self-titled album on Motown, which spawned the hit "Let's Get Serious." Co-written and produced by Stevie Wonder, the song reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a gold certification, solidifying his status as a viable solo artist outside the family group.

Key tracks

Let's Get Serious — This Stevie Wonder collaboration became his highest-charting solo single and won a Grammy nomination, proving his artistic merit beyond the Jackson 5.

Dynamite — The title track from his 1984 Arista album showcased his adaptability to the burgeoning synth-funk and boogie sound of the mid-80s.

Tell Me I'm Not Dreamin' (Too Good to Be True) — This 1984 duet with Michael Jackson, from Jermaine's album Dynamite, became a major club hit and underscored the brothers' powerful vocal chemistry.

Do What You Do — A sophisticated 1984 single that further demonstrated his hit-making ability during his successful tenure with Arista Records.

Word to the Badd!! — His controversial 1991 single addressed family tensions, marking a stark and personal departure from his earlier pop-soul work.

His move to Arista Records in the 1980s yielded his most commercially successful solo period, with albums like 1984's Dynamite and 1986's Precious Moments both achieving gold status in the US. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with artists like Pia Zadora, Whitney Houston, and Teddy Riley, exploring genres from quiet storm R&B to new jack swing.

Michael Jackson The shared vocal stylings and family harmony roots are unmistakable, though Jermaine carved a distinct, smoother solo path.
Stevie Wonder The influence of Wonder's production and songwriting on Jermaine's biggest hit created a lasting link in sophisticated soul music.
Peabo Bryson Both artists excelled in the romantic, polished brand of R&B and soul that dominated adult contemporary radio in the 1980s.
The Jacksons His foundational role in this iconic group forever ties his musical identity to one of pop and soul's most influential families.

Jermaine Jackson's catalog of smooth soul and vibrant 80s R&B finds a natural home on classic soul and quiet storm FM stations, as well as dedicated 80s hits radio streams. His music remains a staple for listeners seeking the polished sound of that era.

You can explore the rich solo work and iconic collaborations of Jermaine Jackson by tuning into the soul and R&B radio stations featured right here on onairium.com, where his voice continues to resonate across the airwaves.