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Randy Jackson (Jacksons singer)

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For other people named Randy Jackson, see Randy Jackson (disambiguation).

Randy Jackson
Jackson in 1976
Born
Steven Randall Jackson

(1961-10-29) October 29, 1961 (age 64)
Gary, Indiana, U.S.
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • dancer
Years active1971–present
Spouse
Eliza Shaffy
​
​
(m. 1989; div. 1992)​
[1]
PartnerAlejandra Oaziaza (1986–1994)
Children3, including Genevieve
Parents
FamilyJackson
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • percussion
  • keyboards
  • bass
  • guitar
Labels
Formerly ofThe Jacksons

Steven Randall Jackson (born October 29, 1961) is an American musician, singer, songwriter and dancer. He is the ninth child in the Jackson family. Randy is the youngest Jackson brother and the second-youngest Jackson sibling before his sister Janet. Randy is a former member of his family band the Jacksons, which he joined after his brother Jermaine left the group (then named the Jackson 5). He was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for his work on the 1980 studio album Triumph at the 23rd Annual Grammy Awards.[2]

Early life

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Jackson in 1976

Jackson was born at St Mary's Mercy Hospital in Gary, Indiana, to Joseph Jackson and Katherine Jackson. Nicknamed "Little Randy", Jackson is the ninth child of the Jackson family, after Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Brandon (who died soon after birth) and Michael and is the youngest of the brothers.[3] His sister Janet was born in 1966. As he was only 3 years old when the Jackson 5 was first formed in 1965, he was not originally a member of the group.

Career

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The Jacksons

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Main article: The Jackson 5
From left, back row: Jackie Jackson, Michael Jackson, Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson. Middle row: Randy Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Rebbie Jackson. Front row: Janet Jackson, 1977. Absent: Jermaine Jackson

Jackson first appeared live with his brothers in 1971[4] at a Christmas show the Jackson 5 held for blind children.[5] Although he was on every Jackson 5 tour since 1972, mainly playing the congas among other instruments, Randy did not officially join the family band until 1975 when they left Motown for CBS Records and older brother Jermaine chose to stay with Motown, prompting Jackson to replace him.[3] The Jackson 5 officially changed their name to the Jacksons when they signed with Epic in part because Motown owned the name Jackson 5.[4] At age 16, he co-wrote the Jacksons' most successful single on Epic, "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" with Michael, for the group's 1978 album Destiny.[6]

On March 3, 1980, Jackson was seriously injured in a car crash in Hollywood, California. In June 1980, he appeared on the cover of the weekly African-American news magazine Jet. The cover headline read: "Randy Jackson Walks Again: Talks About His Future."[7]

Jackson plays congas, percussion, keyboards, piano, bass, and guitar, among other instruments. In addition to singing and playing on the Jacksons' recordings, he worked with Michael on his album Off the Wall.[8] Randy shared lead vocals with Michael on the hit single Can You Feel It from the album Triumph, singing the verses. He participated in the Jacksons' Destiny World Tour from 1979 to 1980, the Triumph Tour in 1981, Victory Tour in 1984 and the band's later projects. After the Victory Tour, Jackson worked with Lionel Richie on his album Dancing on the Ceiling in 1985. Jackson, along with brothers Jackie, Tito, Marlon and his sister La Toya joined USA For Africa to sing in "We Are the World" for the charity album of the same name, which was led by Jackson's brother Michael, Lionel Richie, Quincy Jones and Harry Belafonte.

Jackson was left out when the Jackson 5 were inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997; only the five original members were inducted. He was part of the Jacksons' 2001 reunion at Madison Square Garden during the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration concerts but did not appear as an official cast member in their 2009 A&E reality series The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty.[9][10] He did contribute backing vocals with Jackie, Tito, Marlon and Jermaine for Michael's "This Is It" for the 2009 posthumous album Michael Jackson's This Is It.[11] Jackson was portrayed by Robert Redcross and Nicolas Phillips in the 1992 miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream.[12]

After the Jacksons

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After recording 2300 Jackson Street, the group disbanded and focused on separate projects in 1990.[3][4] After this split, Jackson formed his band, Randy & the Gypsys.[3] The group released only one self-titled album before breaking up.[13] The same year, he co-founded Total Multimedia Inc. with former Iron Butterfly bass player Philip Taylor Kramer to develop data compression techniques for CD-ROMs.[14][15][16] On June 28, 1998, Jackson opened up his record label, Modern Records.[17]

Rhythm Nation Records

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Jackson is currently a partner with his sister, Janet Jackson, at her independent record label Rhythm Nation Records. The label has only released a handful of recordings, all by Janet. The Unbreakable album came out in 2015 along with a few accompanying singles. As of 2026, this is her most recent album.

On August 16, 2018, Randy and Janet announced that Rhythm Nation Records was partnering with an independent music publisher, distributor and label Cinq Music Group.[18] On August 17, 2018, the label released Janet Jackson's one-off non-album single "Made for Now" (featuring Daddy Yankee), on which Randy got a co-writing credit, alongside Janet herself and a half-dozen other contributors. [19]

Personal life

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Family

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In the 1980s, Jackson dated Bernadette Swann (née Robi), Lynn Swann's ex-wife.[20] Swann alleged that Jackson was physically abusive, so she sought refuge at the home of her friend Tina Turner (Swann previously dated Turner's son Craig).[21] Turner shot at Jackson after he broke into her home to see Swann.[22] Turner decided not to press charges in order to avoid bad press.[21]

In 1986, Jackson met Alejandra Oaziaza. They dated for several years, and have two children together, born in 1989 and 1992.[23] Oaziaza married and divorced Randy Jackson's brother Jermaine Jackson.[3] Jackson married Eliza Shaffy in August 1989; they divorced in 1992. They have one daughter together born in 1990.[3]

Michael Jackson's memorial

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Michael Jackson's memorial service was held at the Staples Center on Tuesday, July 7, 2009. To honor him, Jackson and his brothers Marlon, Jackie, Jermaine and Tito served as pallbearers with each wearing a single spangled white glove and sunglasses.[24]

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Battery charge

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In January 1991, Jackson was charged with battery for beating his wife Eliza Shaffy and their 7-month-old daughter Stevanna.[25] He pleaded no contest to the charge,[26] was placed on two years' probation and ordered to enroll in a domestic violence program, but did not comply.[26] In November 1991, Jackson was arrested after Shaffy phoned the police to report that the beatings did not stop.[27][28] He was sentenced to 30 days in a mental hospital, Pine Grove Hospital, in Canoga Park[29][30] and ordered to serve the remainder of his probation and enroll in a year-long domestic violence rehabilitation program.[31] Disappointed that Jackson received no jail time, Shaffy filed for divorce.[29]

Bankruptcy

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Jackson filed for bankruptcy in 1996.[32] He was ordered to surrender his shares in Modern Records Inc.[33] In May 1998, an arrest warrant was issued when Jackson failed to turn over the stock. In 2001, he pleaded guilty to bankruptcy fraud by failing to list all his vehicular assets.[34]

Child support

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In January 2012, Jackson filed a complaint against Loaiza, disputing an alleged $500,000 owed in child support.[35][36] He claimed he had never been served for the initial paternity lawsuit, instead claiming that the matter had been settled in 1993.[35] His absence at the paternity proceedings resulted in a default judgment in Loaiza's favor.[35]

Disputed will and child custody

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Randy attempted to unseat executors John Branca and John McClain and dismiss the will of his brother Michael, which reportedly made their mother Katherine furious.[37] He, Jermaine and Janet objected to Michael Forever – The Tribute Concert held in 2011 for Michael, stating that they felt the family's attention should have been focused on Conrad Murray's trial.[38]

The three siblings were later involved in an event where Katherine lost custody of Michael's children due to suspicion that she was "prevented from acting as a guardian because of the acts of third parties".[39] Jackson, Jermaine and Janet attempted to take the children with them to Arizona, where it was alleged that Katherine was being held against her will after being kidnapped.[40] Footage of the event appeared to show the siblings storming the house and Janet trying to take Michael's daughter Paris' phone.[40][39] Sheriff's deputies broke up an altercation between Randy, Jermaine and Trent (Katherine's nephew-in-law and paternal cousin of Randy and Jermaine).[39] In the end, the court ordered that Katherine would share custody of Prince, Paris and Bigi ("Blanket") with their cousin, TJ Jackson, the then 34-year-old son of Tito Jackson.[41][42]

Discography

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See also: The Jackson 5 discography

Singles

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Title Year
"How Can I Be Sure / Love Song For Kids" 1978

with Randy and the Gypsys

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Studio albums

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Title Album details
Randy & the Gypsys
  • Released: October 4, 1989 (1989-10-04)
  • Formats: LP, CD, cassette
  • Label: A&M

Singles

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Title Year Album
"Perpetrators" 1989 Randy & the Gypsys
"Love You Honey"

Promotional singles

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Title Year Album
"The Love We Almost Had" 1989 Randy & the Gypsys

References

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  1. ^ "Randy Jackson Gets 30 Days In Hospital Lock-up On Charge Of Wife-Beating". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. December 16, 1991. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  2. ^ "Randy Jackson | Artist | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Randy Jackson". biography.com. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c Huey, Steve. "TheJackson 5". allmusic.com. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  5. ^ "Blind kids entertained by Jackson 5". Baltimore Afro-American. December 25, 1971. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  6. ^ "The Jackson 5 - Songs". allmusic.com. Archived from the original on October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  7. ^ "Cover page". Jet. Vol. 58, no. 14. June 19, 1980. p. Cover.
  8. ^ "Randy Jackson - Credits". allmusic.com. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  9. ^ Thigpen, David (September 10, 2001). "Michael's Show a Thriller". rollingstone.com. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  10. ^ Ho, Rodney. "Atlantan helped produce A&E's "The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty" reality show debuting Dec. 13". radiotvtalk.blog. Archived from the original on October 13, 2017. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  11. ^ Kreps, Daniel (October 12, 2009). "New Michael Jackson Song, "This Is It," Premieres Online". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 24, 2019. The new song features background vocals by Jackson's brothers and will be played during the closing sequence of the film.
  12. ^ Steigerwald, Bill (May 24, 1992). "THE JACKSONS' 'AMERICAN DREAM'". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  13. ^ "Randy & the Gypsys". allmusic.com. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  14. ^ Lei, Richard (October 6, 1996). "FAR OUT". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  15. ^ "The Vanishing". Maxim. New York City: Biglari Holdings. October 1999. Archived from the original on February 4, 2002. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
  16. ^ "The TMMI Story". Total Multimedia Incorporated. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  17. ^ Beavers, Carter (September 28, 2000). "Randy Jackson Says He is Still President/ CEO of Modern Records". globenewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  18. ^ "Janet Jackson & Her Rhythm Nation Records Partner With Cinq Music For New Indie Release: Exclusive". Billboard. August 16, 2018.
  19. ^ "Janet Jackson Partners With Cinq Music for New Album; 'Made for Now' Video Drops Tonight". Variety. August 16, 2018.
  20. ^ "Motown Tapes TV Special To Observe 25th Anniversary". Jet. 64 (5): 64. April 18, 1983.
  21. ^ a b Armani, Eddy Hampton (1998). The Real T: My 22 Years with Tina Turner. John Blake Publishing. ISBN 1857821831.
  22. ^ Tartar, Andre (July 3, 2011). "Tina Turner Shot Randy Jackson (Not the Idol Judge)". Vulture.
  23. ^ "Jackson source".
  24. ^ "Honoring the White Glove". CBS News. July 7, 2009.
  25. ^ "Arrest Warrant Is Issued For Jackson Brother Randy". The Buffalo News. November 23, 1991.
  26. ^ a b Wilson, Jeff (November 22, 1991). "Randy Jackson, Michael's Brother, Gets Jail for Wife Beating". AP News.
  27. ^ "Randy Jackson Gets Jail For Beating Wife, Daughter". The Orlando Sentinel. November 23, 1991.
  28. ^ "Jackson Ordered To Jail For Wife, Child Beating". Jet: 14. December 9, 1991.
  29. ^ a b "Randy Jackson Gets 30 Days In Hospital Lock-up On Charge Of Wife Beating". Jet. 81 (9): 8. December 16, 1991.
  30. ^ "PERSONALITIES". The Washington Post. November 28, 1991. ISSN 0190-8286.
  31. ^ "Randy Jackson surrenders to court". UPI. November 27, 1991.
  32. ^ "Singer Pleads Guilty to Bankruptcy Fraud". Los Angeles Times. September 25, 2001. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  33. ^ "Warrant Issued For Randy Jackson". mtv.com. Archived from the original on October 13, 2017. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  34. ^ Byrd, Veronica. "Passages - Legal". people.com. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  35. ^ a b c Ofgang, Kenneth. "C.A. Rules for Singer Randy Jackson in Child Support Dispute". metnews.com. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  36. ^ Agyeman-Fisher, Abena (January 19, 2012). "Randy Jackson Sues Baby Mama Over Child Support". newsone.com. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  37. ^ Media, Cover (July 30, 2012). "Katherine Jackson 'furious' with son Randy". News.com.au. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  38. ^ Quinn, Ben (July 26, 2011). "Family divided over plans for Michael Jackson tribute concert in Wales". theguardian.com. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  39. ^ a b c Duke, Alan (July 25, 2012). "Judge suspends Katherine Jackson as guardian of Michael Jackson's children". cnn.com. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  40. ^ a b "Katherine Jackson temporarily loses custody of Michael Jackson's children, judge names TJ Jackson as temporary guardian". nydailynews.com. July 25, 2012. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  41. ^ Duke, Alan (July 27, 2012). "Katherine Jackson to share custody of Michael Jackson's children". cnn.com. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  42. ^ Fisher, Luchina; Stuelp, Vania. "TJ Jackson Granted Permanent Co-Guardianship of Michael Jackson Kids". abcnews.go.com. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
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