The Jacksons bring classic hits to Hong Kong
Family drama — and the shadow of their younger brother — aside, The Jacksons are still going strong in their sixth decade
The Jacksons, I'm told before speaking over the phone to the eldest brother, Jackie, from his home in Los Angeles, don't talk about "family matters" in interviews.
Considering that they have made themselves the subject of a self-produced TV reality show, this reticence seems perverse. But now that they are back on the road as a touring band, and have a new album in the works, a desire to refocus public attention on their music is understandable.
The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty aired after Michael Jackson's death. It was filmed without the participation of the youngest brother, Randy Jackson, who also chose not to take part in the Unity Tour which Jackie, Marlon, Tito and Jermaine undertook in 2012.
Rifts and reconciliations between the members of the Jackson family - which includes sisters Rebbie, La Toya and Janet - have provided gossip column fodder on and off since 1975, when all the brothers bar Jermaine left Motown, the label which released their hits as the Jackson 5, for a better-paying contract with Epic.
The real tragedy of Michael's death in 2009 aside, the history of black America's best-known showbusiness family is something of a soap opera - but one with an intermittently great soundtrack.
