• Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK WOMEN COME FIRST

Every day we're serving Black women deeply. Come get a plate of goodness! Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and that you have read our Privacy Policy
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · News

Joe Jackson, Patriarch Of The Jackson Family, Has Died

Joe Jackson, Patriarch Of The Jackson Family, Has Died
Dominique Charriau/Le Film Francais/Getty Images
By Britni Danielle · Updated October 23, 2020

Joe Jackson, the patriarch of one of music’s most storied families, died early Wednesday morning after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 89.

Last week, Joe Jackson’s son, Jermaine, said his father was “very, very frail” and “doesn’t have long.” Three days before he passed, someone running Joe’s Twitter account wrote, “I have seen more sunsets than I have left to see. The sun rises when the time comes and whether you like it or not the sun sets when the time comes.”

I have seen more sunsets than I have left to see. The sun rises when the time comes and whether you like it or not the sun sets when the time comes. pic.twitter.com/PGcmbulzyC

— Joseph Jackson (@Joe5Jackson) June 24, 2018

Born on July 26, 1928 in Fountain Hill, Arkansas, Joseph Walter Jackson was the eldest of five siblings. After bouncing between Oakland, California and East Chicago, Indiana after the separation of his parents, he eventually settled in Indiana and pursued a career as a boxer.

Joe Jackson found success in the Golden Gloves program and trained to become a professional prizefighter. While training, he met Katherine Scruse and the pair married on November 5, 1949. The following year, they moved to Gary, Indiana and purchased a small house, ironically, at 2300 Jackson Street. Joe and Katherine Jackson would go on to have 10 children, many of whom would go on to make musical history.

Because of his rapidly growing family, Joe Jackson gave up his dream to be a boxer but tried his hand at music. He played bass for a group called The Falcons, but the group failed to attain much success. Still, Joe Jackson’s love of music never died and when he realized his older sons Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine were talented, he formed The Jackson Brothers and acted as their manager. Eventually, sons Marlon and Michael joined the group and in 1966 they became The Jackson 5.

Under his direction — which included intense, physically demanding rehearsals — Jackson helped his sons become international superstars. The Jackson 5 went on to release more than a dozen studio albums, sell millions of records, and become of the first Black groups to appeal to white audiences.

While many of his children — Michael and Janet, especially — went on to be musical stars, it came at a price. After Michael spoke out about his father’s abusive parenting tactics, Joe Jackson told Oprah Winfrey he didn’t regret beating his children because “It kept them out of jail and kept them right.” And though the patriarch had been reported estranged from his wife in recent years, Katherine and many of his children were by his bedside during his final days.

Joe Jackson was remembered across social media by many who paid their respects in the wake of his passing. Rev. Jesse Jackson said “We will remember him as long as his family’s music plays,” while fans shared their condolences for his family.

Joe Jackson, brother beloved, patriarch & creator of one of the most talented American musical dynasties. We will remember him as long as his family’s music plays. Offering prayers and condolences to the Jackson family. #RIP #NeverCanSayGoodbye #JoeJackson pic.twitter.com/ws7vFmeRxi

— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) June 27, 2018

 

R.I.P Mr Joseph “Joe” Jackson. Thank you for greatly influencing our musical history & culture through your family & children. Your involvements in the music industry has transcended many barriers that wouldn’t have been possible today. Your commitment will never go unheard. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/NzZWxxOy5j

— Devonte Riley (@Devonte_Riley) June 27, 2018

 

THE MAN...THE FAMILY ...THE LEGEND! RIP JOE JACKSON and thank you for giving us the many gifts of talent from your family, not just to our community on a whole...but to the ENTIRE WORLD!!! #RIP pic.twitter.com/uOfKXQV4mP

— Wendy Williams (@WendyWilliams) June 27, 2018

 

Rest in Peace Joe Jackson ❤
Without you music wouldn't be the same, you raised one of the most famous music families in the world and gave us legends such as Michael and Janet.
Thank you.#RIPJoeJackson pic.twitter.com/tBICPchuOO

— $WIFT (@GMJHDvideos) June 27, 2018

 

We are saddened by the news of patriarch of the Jackson Family, Joe Jackson's, death. Sending love and condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/qyy0m3NUwl

— TomJoyner Foundation (@tomjoynerfound) June 27, 2018

 

Joe Jackson IS the architect behind the Jackson Dynasty, he gave the world @Jacksons @michaeljackson @JanetJackson

An American Dream guided and polished his children and presented the. THIS was the end result In this order.
RIP Joe JACKSON 🙏🏾
Well done!!!! THANK YOU!! pic.twitter.com/BOtY5gmily

— 🌹MadeForNow🌹 (@RN1814) June 27, 2018

Joe Jackson was preceded in death by his sons Brandon and Michael. He is survived by his wife Katherine and his children Maureen (Rebbie), Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Randy, and Janet, and a host of grandchildren.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.

COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now