by Michael Jackson: Remembering Bobby Taylor’s Kind Gesture That Launched His Career
In the early days of his career, Michael Jackson received a helping hand from producer Bobby Taylor that changed the course of pop music history. Though their time working together was brief, Taylor’s belief in Jackson’s talent and connections in the music industry provided the launch pad for the future King of Pop to leave an indelible mark on music.
Jackson would recall Taylor’s act of kindness years later, acknowledging the pivotal role he played in the singer’s rise to stardom. At the time, Jackson was just a talented kid looking for his big break alongside his brothers in the Jackson 5. Taylor recognized their potential and opened the door to Motown Records, setting a young Michael Jackson on the path to become one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century.
The Early Days of the Jackson 5
Long before he became a global phenomenon as a solo artist, Michael Jackson began honing his talents as part of the family music group, the Jackson 5. Formed in the mid-1960s, the group consisted of five brothers from Gary, Indiana – Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael.
Under the management of their father Joe, the Jackson 5 spent years performing at local venues to build up their skills and reputation. Michael quickly emerged as the standout star, amazing crowds with his energetic dance moves and precociously powerful voice.
By the late 1960s, the Jackson 5 had become the talk of the Midwest music scene. They performed Motown hits and Michael wowed with spot-on covers of James Brown as well as Smokey Robinson. But the offers from record companies were not coming in.
Discovered by Bobby Taylor
The big break came when Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers were performing in Chicago in 1968. The Motown group caught one of the Jackson 5’s shows and was blown away by the talented kids. In particular, Taylor was smitten with Michael and immediately saw star potential.
Born in North Carolina, Taylor had settled in Canada where he formed the R&B band Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers. They scored a hit single in 1968 with “Does Your Mama Know About Me” and Taylor became focused on artist development. When he encountered the Jackson 5, he knew he had discovered something special.
Against the skepticism of his bandmates, Taylor brought the Jackson 5 to Detroit for an impromptu audition at Motown’s Hitsville USA headquarters. Gathering Motown executives in the studio, Taylor showcased The Jackson 5’s talents and lobbied hard for the label to sign them. While many felt the kids were too young, Taylor’s persistence paid off.
After a proper showcase concert arranged by Taylor, Motown founder Berry Gordy agreed to bring the Jackson 5 into the fold. Bobby Taylor produced some of their early singles, but later had a falling out with Gordy and left Motown in the early 1970s. But by that time, the wheels were in motion for the Jackson 5 to become superstars.
Early Jackson 5 Success at Motown
Joining Motown in 1969, The Jackson 5 wasted no time making their mark at the label that billed itself as the “Sound of Young America.” Within a year, the group released its first single “I Want You Back,” which shot to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The infectious song showcased Michael’s velvety smooth vocals and cemented him as the centerpiece of the group. More chart-topping singles quickly followed, including “ABC,” “The Love You Save,” and “I’ll Be There.” The Jackson 5 became a pop culture phenomenon, starring in cartoons and having their own cereal brand.
Michael emerged as a star in his own right, conveying wisdom beyond his years and magnetic charisma on stage and television. When he sang the sentimental ballad “Who’s Lovin’ You” at just 11 years old, it was clear a superstar singer was blossoming before the world’s eyes.
Blossoming Solo Career
By the early 1970s, Michael was chafing under Motown’s rigid system and wanted more creative control over his music. He continued recording with his brothers, but also negotiated the right to put out solo albums while still part of the Jackson 5 franchise.
His first solo effort “Got to Be There” was released in 1972, spawning top 5 hits in the title track and “Rockin’ Robin.” More mature solo material followed, with Jackson expanding his talents into pop balladry while maintaining his funk/R&B foundation.
When the Jackson 5 left Motown in 1975 and signed with Epic under a new group name, the seeds were planted for Michael to fully branch out on his own. His fifth solo album “Off the Wall” in 1979 marked Jackson’s complete evolution into a globally admired musical icon.
Produced by industry veterans Quincy Jones and Rod Temperton, “Off the Wall” yielded smashes like “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough,” “Rock with You,” and “She’s Out of My Life.” It became one of the best-selling albums ever at the time and won Jackson his first Grammy Awards. Thriller and pop music immortality followed.
Remembering Bobby Taylor
Though his time at Motown was short-lived, Bobby Taylor played an undeniably major part in signing and mentoring the Jackson 5 during their early years. His discovery set Michael Jackson on a trajectory to stardom and launched one of the most significant careers pop music has ever seen.
Decades later, when Taylor passed away in 1990 at age 59, Jackson fondly remembered the man who gave him his start and altered pop history. “Bobby Taylor was a very special person,” Jackson said in a statement after Taylor’s death.
“He was a kind and generous man who helped me get my start in the music business with the Jackson 5. I will never forget what he did for me and my brothers.”
Indeed, without Bobby Taylor taking a chance on the talented kid from Gary, Indiana, the King of Pop phenomenon may have never materialized. Though Michael Jackson’s enormous talents likely would have eventually carried him to great heights, Taylor’s intervention proved crucial in unlocking his superstardom at the ideal young age.
For that, Jackson expressed eternal gratitude. While much transpired over the years, including ups and downs in his fortunes and fame, Jackson never overlooked that early break that set his career in motion.
Even decades into his epochal career that redefined pop music, Michael Jackson still remembered the man who helped a boyhood dream become reality. Bobby Taylor’s kind gesture gave Jackson his first crack at stardom, and the shy kid with the big voice took it from there straight to all-time greatness.
