Everything you want to know about Joseph Jackson
Joseph Jackson was the father of Michael Jackson, but also the man he had been afraid of his whole life. He turned The Jackson 5 into a global success, but his children later spoke openly about abuse, humiliation, and his exceptionally harsh parenting style. In the new biopic Michael, we see how great his influence was on the life of the King of Pop. Who was Joseph Jackson and how did Michael Jackson ultimately reflect on his father?
If you haven't seen Michael, the biopic about the life of Michael Jackson, then my advice is; drop everything right now and go. If you are reading this, it could very well be that I am sitting in the cinema for the second time because after seeing the film, I immediately ordered a relax seat again for Michael.
There is criticism of the film because the creators chose to focus mainly on Michael's youth and his path to global fame. Controversial subjects from his later life, such as his drug addiction and allegations of sexual abuse, are hardly addressed. This part is about the first part of his life, his rise without his fall. About how a poor boy from a family of ten children became one of the greatest stars of all time. About the pain, the loss of friends, the loneliness, his exceptional talent, and especially about his father Joseph Jackson.
Who was Joseph Jackson?
Joseph Walter Jackson was born on July 26, 1928, in Fountain Hill, Arkansas, as the son of a teacher. He dreamed of a career as a professional boxer but never broke through in the ring. For years, he worked as a steelworker in Gary, Indiana, and played guitar in a local rhythm-and-blues band called The Falcons.
Together with Katherine Jackson, he had ten children, including Michael and Janet Jackson. When he discovered how much musical talent his children had, he decided that they would succeed where he had not. He founded The Jackson 5 and personally negotiated their first record deal with Motown Records. Without Joseph Jackson, there might never have been a Michael Jackson.
Why was Joseph Jackson so controversial?
The film Michael has many similarities with King Richard, the biopic about Serena and Venus Williams and their father. Both fathers were not the type to proudly stick every child's drawing on the fridge. The best was just the beginning for them. And if a firm hand was needed to push you further up, then so be it.
So if little Michael wanted to sleep after a day of school and a performance with his brothers and didn't want to work on what in Joseph's eyes had gone wrong, he would take his belt off his pants and give Michael a beating. Those who do not listen must feel seemed to be a motto of Joseph Jackson.
In the film, we see how he positions himself as the manager of The Jackson 5, how the family's interests always take precedence over Michael's individual success, and how he intimidates and rules, even when Michael is already an adult man.
This is how Joseph Jackson treated his children
Some shocking stories about him in a row.
Michael, who always had a fondness for animals and unusual species, had a rat that was said to have been killed by his father. The story goes that the song Ben is about that murdered rat. And what is also said is that Joseph often made jokes about this incident.
Michael would have liked to call his father ‘father’, but Joseph refused. He wanted to be addressed as Joseph or Joe.
When Michael comes out of intensive care after his hair and head are severely burned during the filming of a commercial for Pepsi, the first question Joseph asks is when he can perform again. He needs Michael for a tour with The Jackson 5.
Joseph Jackson ultimately agrees that Michael works on a solo album, but he can only do that in the evenings. So from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Michael belonged to Joseph, and after that, he was free to do what he wanted.
Joseph sat during the boys' rehearsals on a chair with a belt in his hand, ready to strike if one of them made a misstep. What he would have done; first pouring oil over Michael as a kind of ritual because the blows with his belt or an iron cord would hurt even more. I just feel sick reading it.
Michael later also openly stated that his father regularly humiliated him because of his appearance. For example, Joseph would have laughed at him for his nose. Michael indicated that this had a significant impact on his insecurity about his appearance.
Did Michael Jackson forgive his father?
His mother Katherine would have wanted to divorce twice, she and Joseph mostly lived apart and he also had a long-term affair and a daughter with another woman. But Katherine was very religious and within her faith, being faithful to your vows was very important.
Towards the end of Michael's life, he forgave his father. Since he had children himself, he understood his father a little better and saw that Joseph, in a very unpleasant way, still wanted the best for his children. That did not make his childhood any less painful, but he could place his father better.
However, Michael did disinherit him from his will and ensured that his money would go to his mother and his children. Perhaps that is the saddest part of all. Michael was terrified of his father, but he also loved him. Without Joseph Jackson, there might never have been a Michael Jackson but at the same time, he carried the scars of his upbringing with him his whole life.
It is precisely that contradiction that makes their story so complicated and fascinating.
Joe Jackson in 7 facts
Joe Jackson (1928-2018)
Joseph Walter Jackson was born on July 26, 1928, in Fountain Hill, Arkansas.
He dreamed of a career as a professional boxer but never broke through in the ring.
He worked for years as a steelworker in Gary, Indiana.
He played guitar in the rhythm-and-blues band The Falcons.
He married Katherine Scruse in 1949, with whom he had ten children, including Michael and Janet Jackson.
He founded The Jackson 5 and personally negotiated their first record deal with Motown Records.
Joseph Jackson passed away on June 27, 2018, at the age of 89 from pancreatic cancer.
Photo Credit: Glen Wilson for Lionsgate
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