Early Life
Joseph Jackson was born in Fountain Hill, Arkansas, the eldest of five children, to Crystal Lee (née King; 1907-1992) and Samuel Jackson (1893-1993). His siblings were Verna Mae (1930 - 1937), Lula Mae (born c. 1932), Lawrence (born c. 1933), and Luther (c. 1935).
Jackson described his childhood as "lonely," later writing in his memoirs that he rarely played with other children and said his father was domineering and strict. When he was twelve, his parents divorced and Jackson and some of his siblings moved with their father to Oakland. At eighteen, he moved to East Chicago, Indiana to live near his mother. Jackson married his first wife shortly thereafter but their marriage was annulled. During this time, Jackson had an affair with Katherine Scruse. After a two-year courtship, the couple married on November 5, 1949.
Jackson spent part of his life wanting to be a professional boxer and spent time at the Golden Gloves. However, Jackson's dreams of boxing glory ended early and he then began pursuing a musical career, forming The Falcons, where he played guitar; his brother Luther also joined as a saxophonist. However, after a couple years, the group failed to get a recording deal and broke up. With now three children to feed, Jackson began working as a crane operator at East Chicago's U.S. Steel company. The family's growing brood caused Jackson to work overtime to make ends meet leading to the family getting their clothing and food from the Salvation Army.
Read more about this topic: Joe Jackson (manager)
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