Yes, The Jacksons did continue as a group after Michael Jackson's departure, although their lineup was reduced and their commercial success experienced a significant decline.
The Group's Evolution After Michael's Departure
Following the highly successful Victory Tour in 1984, a pivotal moment occurred for The Jacksons. Both Michael Jackson and Marlon Jackson officially departed from the group, marking a significant shift in the group's composition and direction.
The Remaining Lineup and New Music
With Michael and Marlon no longer part of the active lineup, the group continued with the four remaining brothers: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Randy. Under this configuration, they released a new album titled 2300 Jackson Street in 1989. However, this album was unfortunately not well-received by the public or music critics. Its poor commercial performance ultimately led to the group being dropped from their record label, Epic.
- Key Events Post-Michael's Departure:
- 1984: Michael Jackson and Marlon Jackson depart after the Victory Tour.
- 1989: The remaining four members release the album 2300 Jackson Street.
- 1989: The group is dropped from Epic Records due to the album's poor reception and lack of commercial success.
Later Reunions
Despite the formal end of their recording contract and the decline in new music releases, The Jacksons did reunite for special occasions. A notable reunion of the brothers took place in 2001 for Michael Jackson's 30th Anniversary Celebration TV special. These subsequent gatherings were generally one-off events for special occasions rather than a sustained continuation of their prior recording or touring career.
To illustrate the timeline of the group's activities around Michael's departure:
| Era | Key Members | Significant Events |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Era | Michael, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Randy | Formation, Motown Hits, Victory Tour (1984) |
| Post-Michael Era | Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Randy | Michael and Marlon leave (after Victory Tour), 2300 Jackson Street album (1989), dropped from Epic |
| Later Reunions | Various Jackson brothers | Michael's 30th Anniversary Celebration (2001) |
For more comprehensive details on the group's history and evolution, you can consult the The Jackson 5 - Wikipedia page.
