the jackson 5 signed with motown on 31 january 1970.
when did the jackson 5 sign with motown?
31 january 1970
50 best songs – the motown years: michael jackson & the jackson 5 (also known as 50 best songs or the motown years) is a 3-disc compilation box set by american singer michael jackson, and the group the jackson 5, released on 2008 by universal motown records celebrating jackson's 50 birthday. the 50-track album features all of the hits through the motown years from both the jackson 5 with "abc", "i want you back", "never can say goodbye" and michael's solo material including "you've got a friend", "ben", "ain't no sunshine" and "one day in your life", all of them during their tenure on motown (1969–1975), with the exception of "farewell my summer love" and "girl you're so together", which were released after they left the company (these tracks were released in 1984).
50 best songs – the motown years: michael jackson & the jackson 5
the album title suggested that motown star diana ross had discovered the group, as do the ross-penned liner notes on the back cover. ross' supposed discovery of the jackson 5 was in fact part of motown's marketing and promotions plan for the jackson 5; it may actually have been motown producer bobby taylor who discovered the jacksons. joe jackson, the father and manager of the jackson 5, thanked the "lovely gladys knight, (who) extended a helping hand to our family, by calling motown executives and talking their ear off to take time out of their schedule and meet with us. she believed in us before others. always grateful to her."(gladys knight also said she brought the jackson 5 to motown's attention.) but ross embraced her assigned role and helped promote the group, especially grooming young michael jackson as a star.
diana ross presents the jackson 5