Randy Jackson (Jacksons singer)

Early life

Career

The Jacksons

Main article: The Jackson 5

Randy first appeared live with his brothers in 1971 at a Christmas show the Jackson 5 held for blind children. Although he was on every Jackson 5 tour since 1972, mainly playing the congas among other instruments, Randy did not officially join the family band until 1975 when they left Motown for CBS Records and older brother Jermaine chose to stay with Motown, prompting Randy to replace him. The Jackson 5 officially changed their name to the Jacksons when they signed with Epic in part because Motown owned the name "Jackson 5". At age 16, he co-wrote the Jacksons' most successful single on Epic, "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" with Michael.

On March 3, 1980, Jackson was seriously injured in a car crash in Hollywood, California. In June 1980, he appeared on the cover of the weekly African-American news magazine Jet. The cover headline read: "Randy Jackson Walks Again: Talks About His Future."

Jackson plays congas, percussion, keyboards, piano, bass, and guitar, among other instruments. In addition to singing and playing on the Jacksons' recordings, he worked with Michael on his album Off the Wall. He participated in the Jacksons' Destiny World Tour from 1979 to 1980, the Triumph Tour in 1981, Victory Tour in 1984, and the band's later projects. After the Victory Tour, Jackson worked with Lionel Richie on his album Dancing on the Ceiling in 1985. Jackson, along with brothers Jackie, Tito, Marlon, and his sister La Toya joined USA For Africa to sing in "We Are The World", which was led by Jackson's brother Michael, Lionel Richie, Quincy Jones, and Harry Belafonte.

He was left out when the Jackson 5 were inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997; only the five original members were inducted.

He was part of the Jacksons' 2001 reunion at Madison Square Garden, but did not appear as an official cast member in their 2009 A&E reality series The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty. He did contribute backing vocals with Jackie, Tito, Marlon and Jermaine for Michael's "This Is It".

After the Jacksons

After recording 2300 Jackson Street, the group disbanded and focused on separate projects in 1990. After this split, Jackson formed his band, Randy & the Gypsys. The group released only one album before breaking up. The same year, he co-founded Total Multimedia Inc. with former Iron Butterfly bass player Philip Taylor Kramer to develop data compression techniques for CD-ROMs. On June 28, 1998, Jackson opened up his record label, Modern Records.

Rhythm Nation Records

Randy is currently a partner with his sister, Janet Jackson, at her independent record label Rhythm Nation Records. On August 16, 2018, Randy and Janet announced that Rhythm Nation Records was partnering with an independent music publisher, distributor, and label Cinq Music. On August 17, 2018, Janet Jackson's "Made for Now" was released, co-written by Randy.

Personal life

Family

In the 1980s, Jackson dated Bernadette Swann (née Robi), Lynn Swann's ex-wife. Swann alleged that Jackson was physically abusive, so she sought refuge at the home of her friend Tina Turner (Swann previously dated Turner's son). Turner shot at Jackson after he broke into her home to see Swann. Turner decided not to press charges in order to avoid bad press.

In 1986, Jackson met Alejandra Oaziaza. They dated for several years, and have two children together, born in 1989 and 1992.

Oaziaza married and divorced Randy Jackson's brother Jermaine Jackson. Randy Jackson married Eliza Shaffy in August 1989; they divorced in 1992. They have one daughter together born in 1990.

Michael Jackson's memorial

Michael Jackson's memorial service was held at the Staples Center on Tuesday, July 7, 2009. To honor him, Randy and his brothers Marlon, Jackie, Jermaine and Tito served as pallbearers with each wearing a single spangly white glove and sunglasses.

Legal issues

Battery charge

In January 1991, Jackson was charged with battery for beating his wife Eliza Shaffy and their 7-month-old daughter Stevanna. He pleaded no contest to the charge, was placed on two years' probation and ordered to enroll in a domestic violence program, but did not comply. In November 1991, Jackson was arrested after Shaffy phoned the police to report that the beatings did not stop. He was sentenced to 30 days in a mental hospital, Pine Grove Hospital, in Canoga Park and ordered to serve the remainder of his probation and enroll in a year-long domestic violence rehabilitation program. Disappointed that Jackson received no jail time, Shaffy filed for divorce.

Bankruptcy

Jackson filed for bankruptcy in 1996. He was ordered to surrender his shares in Modern Records Inc. In May 1998, an arrest warrant was issued when Jackson failed to turn over the stock. In 2001, he pleaded guilty to bankruptcy fraud by failing to list all his vehicular assets.

Child support

In January 2012, Jackson filed a complaint against Loaiza, disputing an alleged $500,000 owed in child support. He claimed he had never been served for the initial paternity lawsuit, instead claiming that the matter had been settled in 1993. His absence at the paternity proceedings resulted in a default judgment in Loaiza's favor.

Disputed will and child custody

Randy attempted to unseat executors John Branca and John McClain and dismiss the will of his brother Michael, which reportedly made their mother Katherine furious. He, Jermaine and Janet objected to the 2011 tribute concert held for Michael, stating that they felt the family's attention should have been focused on Conrad Murray's trial.

The three siblings were later involved in an event where Katherine lost custody of Michael's children due to suspicion that she was "prevented from acting as a guardian because of the acts of third parties". Randy, Jermaine, and Janet attempted to take the children with them to Arizona, where it was alleged that Katherine was being held against her will after being kidnapped. Footage of the event appeared to show the siblings storming the house and Janet trying to take Paris's phone. Sheriff's deputies broke up an altercation between Randy, Jermaine and Trent (Katherine's nephew-in-law and paternal cousin of Randy and Jermaine). In the end, the court ordered that Katherine would share custody of Prince, Paris, and Bigi ("Blanket") with their cousin, TJ Jackson, the then 34-year-old son of Tito Jackson.

Discography

Singles

with Randy and the Gypsys

Studio albums

Singles

Promotional singles

References

References

1. (16 December 1991). "Randy Jackson Gets 30 Days In Hospital Lock-up On Charge Of Wife-Beating". Johnson Publishing Company.
2. "Randy Jackson {{!}} Artist {{!}} GRAMMY.com".
3. "Randy Jackson".
4. (25 December 1971). "Blind kids entertained by Jackson 5". Baltimore Afro-American.
5. "TheJackson 5".
6. "The Jackson 5 - Songs".
7. (June 19, 1980). "Cover page".
8. "Randy Jackson - Credits".
9. (10 September 2001). "Michael's Show a Thriller".
10. "Atlantan helped produce A&E's "The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty" reality show debuting Dec. 13".
11. Kreps, Daniel. (October 12, 2009). "New Michael Jackson Song, "This Is It," Premieres Online".
12. "Randy & the Gypsys".
13. Lei, Richard. (1996-10-06). "FAR OUT". [[The Washington Post]].
14. . (October 1999). ["The Vanishing"](http://www.maximonline.com/maximwear/articles/article_2193.html). *[[Biglari Holdings]]*.
15. "The TMMI Story".
16. (28 September 2000). "Randy Jackson Says He is Still President/ CEO of Modern Records".
17. (August 16, 2018). "Janet Jackson Partners With Cinq Music for New Album; 'Made for Now' Video Drops Tonight".
18. (August 16, 2018). "Janet Jackson & Her Rhythm Nation Records Partner With Cinq Music For New Indie Release: Exclusive".
19. (April 18, 1983). "Motown Tapes TV Special To Observe 25th Anniversary". Jet.
20. Armani, Eddy Hampton. (1998). "The Real T: My 22 Years with Tina Turner". John Blake Publishing.
21. Tartar, Andre. (July 3, 2011). "Tina Turner Shot Randy Jackson (Not the Idol Judge)".
22. "Jackson source".
23. (7 July 2009). "Honoring the White Glove".
24. (November 23, 1991). "Arrest Warrant Is Issued For Jackson Brother Randy". The Buffalo News.
25. Wilson, Jeff. (November 22, 1991). "Randy Jackson, Michael's Brother, Gets Jail for Wife Beating". AP News.
26. (November 23, 1991). "Randy Jackson Gets Jail For Beating Wife, Daughter". The Orlando Sentinel.
27. (December 9, 1991). "Jackson Ordered To Jail For Wife, Child Beating". Jet.
28. (December 16, 1991). "Randy Jackson Gets 30 Days In Hospital Lock-up On Charge Of Wife Beating". Jet.
29. (November 28, 1991). "PERSONALITIES". [[The Washington Post]].
30. (November 27, 1991). "Randy Jackson surrenders to court".
31. (25 September 2001). "Singer Pleads Guilty to Bankruptcy Fraud".
32. "Warrant Issued For Randy Jackson".
33. "Passages - Legal".
34. "C.A. Rules for Singer Randy Jackson in Child Support Dispute".
35. (19 January 2012). "Randy Jackson Sues Baby Mama Over Child Support".
36. (30 July 2012). "Katherine Jackson 'furious' with son Randy". News.com.au.
37. (26 July 2011). "Family divided over plans for Michael Jackson tribute concert in Wales".
38. (25 July 2012). "Judge suspends Katherine Jackson as guardian of Michael Jackson's children".
39. (25 July 2012). "Katherine Jackson temporarily loses custody of Michael Jackson's children, judge names TJ Jackson as temporary guardian".
40. (27 July 2012). "Katherine Jackson to share custody of Michael Jackson's children".
41. "TJ Jackson Granted Permanent Co-Guardianship of Michael Jackson Kids".
42. [https://www.discogs.com/Randy-Jackson-How-Can-I-Be-Sure-Love-Song-For-Kids/release/1851118 "How Can I Be Sure / Love Song For Kids" ''Discogs.com'']