Touring Without Michael Jackson

       Hollywood - 28 songs performed by Tito, Marlon, Jermaine, and Jackie Jackson haven't been performed together in nearly 30 years make the Jackson Four a unique combination of tribute band (to Michael Jackson) and legacy band, because they are continuing in their own footsteps, as well as commemorating their legendary brother, Michael Jackson.
     The moves may be exaggerated and the style of music may be reminiscent of a by-gone era, but some of the energy still remains in songs that range from "ABC" to "Wanna Be Where You Are." The spectre of a lost sibling (Michael Jackson) occupies a key spot in the performances of the now, Jackson Four. The brothers hardly downplay the impression that Michael Jackson was a key member of the group. The show the Jackson Four has put together features four different video montages of Michael Jackson. The Jackson Four perform many songs which originally featured lead vocals from their missing brother, some of which came from Michael Jackson's solo albums alone. However, backed by a band of seven musicians, playing so loudly it sometimes drowned the singers out, the Jackson Four sound wobbly compared to their original selves. As the second most commercially successful of the male Jacksons, Jermaine carved out a segment for his new wave era solo hits, which have held up remarkably well. The new shows also seem to benefit from the Jackson Four's classic choreography, that is now tailored with moves that men who range in age from 55 (Marlon) to 61 (Jackie), this according to the New York Daily News. For fans, the show has value, the volume, the choreography, and the outfits of the band still say rock stars.
     In the recording studio the Jackson Four are preparing to release the follow-up to their most previous album together, "2300 Jackson Street" (1989). If they were a little shaky with some of the songs they performed on their "Unity Tour 2012", they are polishing up their act with small up-close and personal venues. "The whole thing was about doing small, up-close and personal venues. When we first started, we wanted to do a few dates", Jermaine said. "The tour organizers threw a whole bunch at us." Euroweb.com says, the last time the Jackson's performed as a group in Los Angeles, they were closing out six dates at Dodger Stadium during the large 1984 "Victory Tour". On the final night the groups most famous member (Michael Jackson) announced the tour would be their last. The brothers disbanded after that, with only one moonwalking his way to superstardom, and ultimately scandal, Michael Jackson. "When you have someone like Michael in the band, he was so incredible," Jermaine said. "We are now doing what we probably wouldn't get a chance to because he was our front." See also, www.billboard.com.