Jermaine La Jaune Jackson (born December 11, 1954) is an American singer, bassist, composer, former member of The Jackson 5 and older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.

Biography

Early life

Jermaine Jackson is the fourth child of Joseph and Katherine Jackson, born in Gary, Indiana after his brother Tito Jackson. He was raised as a Jehovah's Witness by his devout mother. Jermaine converted to Islam in 1989 after a trip to the Middle East and has been staunch supporter of peace in the region. Jermaine was the original lead singer of the Jackson Brothers—an earlier incarnation of The Jackson Five—until 1968, when younger brother Michael began assisting with lead vocals. He remained the co-lead singer with Michael for many years. Jackson graduated from Birmingham High School in Lake Balboa, Los Angeles, California in 1973, where he was described in the yearbook as the "most talented" and "best dressed."