Jackson Family Patriarch Dies

Joe Jackson dead, AP source says; patriarch of musical dynasty was 89

The stage dad of Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson and their talented siblings took his family from poverty in Gary, Indiana, and launched a musical dynasty.

Joseph Jackson, the strong, fearsome patriarch of the musical Jackson family, has died, according to a person close to the family.

The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person was not allowed to discuss the topic publicly, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he died but had no additional information. He was 89.

The stage dad of Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson and their talented siblings took his family from poverty in Gary, Indiana, and launched a musical dynasty.

Five of his boys — Michael, Jermaine, Marlon, Tito and Jackie — made the clan an instant sensation with the arrival of the Jackson 5 in 1969.

Over the following decades, millions would listen to recordings by the Jacksons, and Michael would become one of the most popular entertainers in history before his death in 2009.

Subscribe to the Entertainment newsletter

By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy.

By The Associated Press

Newsday Recommends

First-time candidates beat party veterans in primaries

Retired LI company founder asks son to sell

New waterfront beer garden opens on LI

Jeter selling upstate NY castle for $14.75M

Ground broken on Hamptons townhomes