Artist

Jermaine Jackson

soul/pop singer, of Jackson 5

Gary, United States • b. 1954

Jermaine Jackson is a musician from Gary, United States, active since 1954. Their discography on Gatefold includes 20 records.

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Albums tracked

In collections

1954

Since

Biography

Jermaine La Jaune Jackson (born December 11, 1954) is an American singer-songwriter and bassist. He is best known for being a member of the Jackson family. From 1964 to 1975, Jermaine was second vocalist after his brother Michael of the Jackson 5, and played bass guitar. Since 1983 he rejoined the group, now known as the Jacksons. Jermaine sang the lead on some of The Jackson 5's biggest hits, and featured in "I'll Be There" and "I Want You Back" amongst others.

The Arc of Jermaine Jackson

The pivots — what forced Jermaine Jackson to reinvent.

The Motown Holdout
After the brothers left for Epic, Jermaine was stuck at Motown trying to find a solo identity under producers like Hal Davis and Greg Wright. The 1976 'My Name Is Jermaine' album was a desperate reintroduction that struggled to balance the classic Motown assembly-line sound with the looming disco era. You can hear the tension on those mid-70s tracks where the arrangements feel cluttered and the label was clearly trying to figure out if he was a crooner or a dance-floor filler.
The Wonder Collaboration
Stevie Wonder took over the driver's seat for the 'Let’s Get Serious' sessions in 1980, and it saved Jermaine’s career. Stevie brought in that signature rubbery synth-bass and complex horn arrangements that finally gave Jermaine a sophisticated, adult contemporary funk sound. The title track wasn't just a hit; it was a blueprint for how Jermaine could survive the 80s by leaning into heavy grooves rather than just chasing ballads.
The Arista Pivot
Clive Davis poached him for Arista in 1984, resulting in the self-titled smash that leaned into high-gloss 80s production with guests like Whitney Houston and even a reunion with his brothers. This era was defined by expensive Fairlight CMI programming and a bid for global stadium-pop relevance that moved away from his R&B roots. It worked commercially, but the grit of the Motown years was replaced by a polished, corporate sheen that prioritized radio hooks over the groove.

Influences

James Jamerson — As the primary bassist for the Funk Brothers, Jamerson’s melodic lines were the textbook for Jermaine's early playing style. You hear that fluid, busy syncopation all over the early Jackson 5 Motown tracks before Jermaine stepped up to the mic. He was a bassist first, and Jamerson’s ghost is in every pocket he ever found.
Marvin Gaye — Jermaine frequently cited Marvin as a vocal North Star, particularly the intimate, multi-tracked vocal style Marvin perfected on 'What's Going On.' On tracks like 'Daddy's Home,' Jermaine mimics that smooth, vulnerable tenor that Marvin used to bridge the gap between gospel and pop. It's a direct lineage of the 'sensitive soul' archetype.
Stevie Wonder — Beyond producing his biggest hits, Stevie provided the harmonic complexity that Jermaine chased during his late Motown years. The synth-heavy arrangements on 'Let's Get Serious' are pure Wonder-school fusion. Jermaine basically spent the early 80s acting as a vessel for Stevie’s more dance-oriented ideas.
The Temptations — The group’s transition into 'Psychedelic Soul' under Norman Whitfield influenced the way Jermaine approached vocal layering and social themes. You can hear the Whitfield-era grit in Jermaine's more aggressive 70s vocal takes. They provided the template for how a Motown act could get funky without losing the suit-and-tie discipline.
Sam Cooke — Jermaine's early solo work was heavily indebted to the clean, enunciated phrasing of Sam Cooke. He covered 'You Send Me' and often referenced Cooke's ability to cross over into white pop markets without losing his church-bred soul. That poise was exactly what Motown tried to bake into Jermaine's DNA from day one.