Randy Jackson then and now

The Jackson 5 officially became a group in 1965 with brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael. Some fans may have believed that the other siblings have accomplished nothing on their own in recent years and were hanging on to Michael's coat tail but this is not true. Consider Randy, the youngest brother who was not allowed to join his siblings at this time because of his age. Seven Randall Jackson was born October 29, 1961 and is the youngest Jackson brother and the second-youngest Jackson child with his sister Janet Jackson being number 9. Randy first appeared with the J5 live in concert during a 1971 Christmas show that was held for blind children.

Beginning in 1972, Randy unofficially became a part of the group by playing the congas and other instruments. Steven Randall did not officially join the family business until 1975 when the J5 left Motown for CBS Records. When Jermaine chose to stay with Motown, Randy stepped in to replace him. When the singing brothers when signed with Epic they changed their name to The Jacksons because Motown owned the name "Jackson 5". At the age of 16, Randy (along with Michael) co-wrote the Jacksons' most successful single on the Epic label, "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)".

On February 4, 1980, Randy Jackson was seriously injured in a car crash in Hollywood, California on February 4, 1980. In June of that year, Randy was on the cover of Jet magazine with the caption. "Randy Jackson Walks Again: Talks About His Future." Randy might be the most versatile of his siblings as he is a writer, producer, singer, dancer and among other instruments plays congas, guitar, keyboard, and percussion. The youngest Jackson brother also worked with brother Michael on the Off the Wall album.

Randy was heavily involved with the Jacksons' Destiny World Tour from 1979 to 1980, the Triumph Tour in 1981, and the Victory Tour in 1984. He has continued to be a part of family projects but there was one important event where he was left out. This was in 1977 when the Jackson 5 were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Only the 5 original members of the group were inducted which is understandable. Perhaps one day The Jacksons will have the same honor or Randy might be inducted on his own merit.

In 1990, after the famous siblings recorded 2300 Jackson Street, the group broke up and each brother focused on separate projects. Randy formed his own band, Randy & the Gypsys and they only released one album before disbanding. During that same year, Randy and former Iron Butterfly bass player Phillip Taylor Kramer [co-founded Total Multimedia Inc. The company developed data compression techniques for CD-ROMs. Jackson opened up his own record label, Modern Records on June 28, 1998.

Randy was part of the 2001 Jackson reunion at Madison Square Garden but did not make an official appearance as a cast member in the A&E reality series The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty in 2009. Along with Jackie, Tito, Marlon, and Jermaine, Randy supplied backing vocals for Michael's This is it. it is obvious that the brothers have kept in touch and worked together over the years in spite of rumors to the contrary. The 4 who remain are probably grateful to have been working with Michael one last time before he passed away.

Randy Jackson is currently a co-partner with his sister, Janet at her independent record label Rhythm Nation Records.On August 16, 2018, Randy and Janet announced that Rhythm Nation Records was partnering with Cinq an independent music label, distributor, and publisher. Randy co-wrote Made for Now which was released by Janet Jackson on August 17, 2018. In 1986, Randy Jackson met Alejandra Oaziaza whom he has dated for a number of years. They have two children together: Genevieve Jackson who was born on December 3, 1989, and Steven Randall Jackson Jr. born on October 3, 1992. Michael may have been more successful and well known but Randy Jackson is talented and accomplished in his own right.