The Jacksons – with Tito Jackson, second from left.
Tito Jackson, founder member of the world-famous Jacksons, has revealed plans to move to Wolverhampton!
Speaking to Mostly Jazz Festival, the Los Angeles-based guitarist confesses he loves the city and is a big fan of the football team, citing the band’s hectic schedule as the main reason for his delay in relocating.
“I was moving to Wolverhampton, which is still on my bucket list, it’s just a matter of touring and recording and performing so much, that I haven’t been able to,” says Tito, who alongside appearing with The Jacksons also guests with The BB King Band and is currently working on a new solo album. “I love Wolverhampton!”
One of the main attractions for Tito is Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, who are currently enjoying a return to the Premier League and have also qualified for the 2019–20 UEFA Europa League – their first major European tournament in 39 years.
“I love The Wolves, they did very well in the Premier League this year, more than people expected, I’m so proud of them,” Tito enthuses.
Hailing from the US town of Gary, Indiana, the young Jackson 5 signed to Motown in the late-1960s, releasing a string of US chart-toppers, beginning with I Want You Back. Renaming themselves The Jacksons, they embraced disco and funk, and continued to rack up hits throughout the 1980s, eventually amassing over 160 weeks in the UK singles charts.
Discussing their current set-list, Tito says: “We do everything – the only song we don’t do, pretty much, is I’m A Big Boy Now [1968 pre-Motown debut single]. We do ABC, I Want You Back, The Love You Save, Dancing Machine, Never Can Say Goodbye, those are mostly from the Motown stuff, from the early years. Of course we also do things like Blame It On The Boogie, Enjoy Yourself, Can You Feel It … Shake Your Body …”
Other Jackson 5/ The Jacksons hits include Show You The Way To Go (their only UK no.1), State Of Shock (a duet with Mick Jagger), and the festive Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, which last charted in 2018, 46 years after it first hit the UK Top 10.
Having returned to live touring in 2011 after a hiatus, The Jacksons – Tito, and brothers Jermaine, Marlon and Jackie – headline opening night of Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival, Birmingham, on Friday 12 July 2019, as part of the festival’s 10th anniversary. Other artists appearing over the weekend include Acid Jazz heroes Brand New Heavies (Saturday 13 July 2019) and legendary American songwriter Burt Bacharach (Sunday 14 July 2019).
- For tickets and more information, see: mostlyjazz.co.uk
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