Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, on August 29, 1958, to Katherine and Joseph Jackson—a former guitarist who had once entertained musical aspirations of his own. At just 5 years old, Jackson was lauded for his incredible vocal range, and his father recruited him as the lead singer of the family's newly formed group, The Jackson 5, which included Michael's older brothers, Tito, Jackie, Jermaine, and eventually, Marlon. Embracing his new role as frontman for the group, Jackson impressed audiences with his ability to convey complex emotions with his singing, and the Jackson 5 rapidly rose to fame, producing the No. 1 song, "I Want You Back," among several other chart toppers.
