Michael Jackson: Jackson 5 - The Early Years Trivia

What do you know about Michael Jackson: Jackson 5 - The Early Years?  Try this Alan's FUN Rock & Roll Trivia quiz. You’ll find the answers at the bottom of the page.

1) In 1964, Jackie, Tito and Jermaine form The Jackson Brothers, including hometown friends Reynaud Jones and Milford Hite on guitar and drums respectively. By the end of the following year, the group's younger brothers Marlon and Michael join the instrumental band playing tambourine and congas.

• True or False?

2) Michael is allowed to perform his song-and-dance routine at a talent contest held at Jackie's high school, helping his brothers win the competition. What is the high school's name?

• Roosevelt High School
• Truman High School
• Eisenhower High School

3) It is at that point that Tito's junior high school orchestra teacher Shirley Cartman begins mentoring the group and suggests a name change referring to the boys as The Jackson Five. She also suggests replacing Jones and Hite with talented musicians Johnny Jackson (no relation) on drums and Ronnie Rancifer on keyboards.

• True or False?

4) Cartman gets The Jackson Five a record deal with Gordon Keith's local Steeltown label, and the group begins making their first recordings in October 1967. What is their first single?

• "Riding High"
• "Big Boy"
• "I Love Girls"

5) The Jackson Five have a number of admirers in their early days. Two admires help the group secure a spot in the famous Amateur Night competition at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. The group won the August 13, 1967, competition during the Amateur Night showdown at the Apollo. Who helps them secure a spot at the Apollo?

• Sam & Dave
• Seth & Green
• Bob & Ray

6) Motown Records artist Gladys Knight of The Pips recommends the group to Motown chief Berry Gordy, but Gordy, who already has teenager Stevie Wonder on his roster, is hesitant to take on another child act because of the child labor laws and other problems involved.

• True or False?

7) On July 23, The Jackson 5 have their Motown audition, for which they perform a James Brown hit. Berry Gordy is not in attendance, but the audition is videotaped and sent to him in Los Angeles. Gordy's initial reluctance to sign the group disappears when he finally sees the boys perform.

• "I Got the Feelin'"
• "Prisoner of Love"
• "Roman Holiday"

8) Bobby Taylor begins producing the group's first recordings at Motown's Hitsville U.S.A. recording studio in Detroit. The early Taylor-produced Jackson Five records are all covers of both contemporary hits and Motown-standards, including Sly & the Family Stone's "Stand!" and their famous rendition of The Miracles' "Who's Lovin' You". Who wrote "Who's Lovin' You"

• Smokey Robinson
• Bobby Taylor
• Mark Reynolds

9) Barry Gordy moves The Jackson Five and Joseph to California, and he and Suzanne de Passe begin the process of grooming them as the label's next big act, while the rest of the family remains in Gary. While looking for a house in California, Joseph, Jermaine, Tito, and Jackie live with Berry Gordy. Who did Marlon and Michael live with in their California home?

• Diana Ross
• Gladys Knight
• Mary Wells

10) Motown's marketing team prepares press kits and other promotional material to begin The Jackson 5's entrance into the mainstream music industry. Michael's age is eleven. What do they change his age to from to make him appear cuter?

• Five
• Eight
• Ten

Michael Jackson: Jackson 5 - The Early Years Answers

1. True
2. Roosevelt High School
3. True
4. "Big Boy"
5. Sam & Dave
6. True
7. "I Got the Feelin'"
8. Smokey Robinson
9. Diana Ross
10. Eight

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