Boffo Jacko

Like many, I've been thinking about Michael Jackson's musical legacy lately, and have reached the conclusion that Jacko's peak was not Thriller or Off the Wall, but much earlier, in the Jackson 5.

As brilliant as those two Quincy Jones-produced records are, Jacko's singing in the Jackson 5 has none of the affectations or tics that came with the onset of mega-fame. In the J5 days, MJ was a pure, almost gospel-like singer of power and grace. Good dancer too.

One of the upsides of the passing of the Gloved One is that YouTube is crammed like the line for the Ferris Wheel at Neverland with amazing Jackson 5 performances.

Naysayers and so-called singers who rely on Auto-Tune and pre-recorded vocals should note that the J5's singing and playing is performed live. Check out the freakazoid robot moves he makes during "Dancing Machine" and "That's the Way I Like It" below. Anyone who can make Dom DeLuise seem like a lithe, spry performer is a very special talent indeed.

"Stand!" (Ed Sullivan Show, 1969 - who knew they covered Sly Stone?)


"Rockin' Robin" (Top of the Pops, 1972 - nice solo by Tito - who knew he could actually play?)


"Dancing Machine" (Merv Griffin Show, 1974 - check out the robot moves)


"That's the Way I Like It" with Dom DeLuise (no that's not a horrible series of typos), Jackson 5 TV Special