http://reynauddjones.com/
I created the Jackson prototype, including the role of Michael Jackson, in 1965. I put together and staged the act. Although refined by experience and technology, the act has not essentially changed to this day. From a dead stop, I introduced each of the Jackson boys (except Randy) to the basics. I taught Tito Jackson how to play the guitar. I taught Jackie Jackson how to harmonize in a variety of ways. I taught Jermaine Jackson to be a lead singer. I taught Marlon Jackson how to fully exploit a tambourine. I taught Mike, as he was then known, the bongos and helped him learn to dance like James Brown.
- Reynaud D. Jones
VH1 - Michael Jackson’s Secret Childhood
Dave Walsh: Ater school, Joe kept his sons locked down in the Jackson home. But when he worked the night shift, Mike and his brothers picked up Joe’s abandoned guitar and with the help of neighbor Reynard Jones, jammed on the sly.
Reynaud D. Jones, Michael’s neighbor and bandmate: The Jacksons spent a lot of time inside, those were Joseph’s rules. So if I thought that it was time to practice, I could give out that whistle and they would come to the window and then we would walk over to my house.
Dave Walsh: Fearing Joe’s jealous rage, the boys hid in Reynaud’s basement and sowed the seeds of a pop music dynasty.
Reynaud Jones: Joe Jackson did not even know we were practicing. At some point we thought that we were ready to perform. And we wanted to go on the road at the high school talent show.
Dave Walsh: Seven year old Michael’s coming-out party took place in 1966 at the Roosevelt High Talent Show, held right behind the Jackson Family home. Joe knew his boys were up to something, but instead of stepping in, he allowed them to prove their potential for profit.
Reynaud Jones: We won that talent show. The crowd went wild that night. They were very impressed.
Dave Walsh: Joe Jackson was also impressed. Before, he whipped Tito for playing his guitar, but now he threw himself into managing the boys’ careers.
Joseph Jackson: We had to know that they were good, we had to know that they could win talent shows and we rehearsed them so they could be the best.
Sheryl Price: In the summer time, when the Jacksons would rehearse in their living room, they’d move all the furniture back, and they would open the windows, and all the neighborhood came around to stand. That’s the one time Mr. Jackson didn’t say anything about us being on his lawn.
Dave Walsh: Joe Jackson would soon escape the steel mills of Gary Indiana by riding out on the back of a boy named Mike. At the tender age of seven, Michael Jackson knew what he wanted too: to be rich, famous and free from his Papa Joe.
Reynaud Jones: I can remember a time when we were practicing, and I can’t remember exactly what was being said, but Michael’s response was: “This group would be nothing without me.” Here’s a kid, seven years old but the ironic part about it is that it probably was correct.
either the 4th or the 11th ?!
