Michael Jackson: The Early Years Trivia

What do you know about Michael Jackson: The Early Years? Try this Alan's FUN Rock & Roll Trivia quiz. You’ll find the answers at the bottom of the page.

1) Michael Joseph Jackson is born August 29, 1958 in an industrial suburb of Chicago. He is the son of African-American parents Joseph Walter "Joe" Jackson and Katherine Esther Scruse. What is the Chicago suburb he is born in?

• North Chicago, Illinois
• Springfield, Illinois
• Gary, Indiana

2) Michael is the seventh of nine children. His siblings are Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Randy and Janet.

• True or False?

3) Joseph Jackson is a steel mill employee who often performs in an R&B band with his brother Luther. What is the name of the R&B band?

• The Falcons
• The Rhythm Kings
• The R&B Makers

4) Jackson was raised as a Jehovah's Witness by his devout mother.

• True or False?

5) Michael first speaks openly about his childhood abuse in a 1993 interview. He says that during his childhood he often cries from loneliness and will sometimes start to vomit upon seeing his father. Who is the interview with?

• Bill Cosby
• Oprah Winfrey
• Johnny Carson

6) Michael shows musical talent early in his life, performing in front of classmates and others during a Christmas recital at the age of five.

• True or False?

7) In 1964, Michael and Marlon join the Jackson Brothers, a band formed by brothers Jackie, Tito and Jermaine, as backup musicians. What does Michael play?

• Bass guitar
• Rhythm guitar
• Congas

8) The band tours the Midwest extensively from 1966 to 1968. The band frequently performs at a string of black clubs and venues collectively, where they often open for stripteases and other adult acts. What is the circuit known as?

• "chitlin' circuit"
• "rock n' roll circuit"
• "samplin' circuit"

9) A magazine later describes the young Michael as "a prodigy" with "overwhelming musical gifts", noting that Michael "quickly emerged as the main draw and lead singer" after he begins to dance and sing with his brothers. What is the magazine?

• Rolling Stone
• People
• Celebrity

10) When did the Jackson 5 sign with Motown Records?

• 1965
• 1968
• 1971

Michael Jackson: The Early Years  Answers

1. Gary, Indiana
2. False. Joseph Jackson has an additional daughter named Joh Vonnie Jackson who is actually the youngest sibling of Michael Jackson.
3. The Falcons
4. True
5. Oprah Winfrey
6. True
7. Congas
8. "chitlin' circuit"
9. Rolling Stone
10. 1968

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