JACKSON 5’s NIGHT OF TERROR!

From the Tiger Beat Archives, September 1971

The night was dark and rainy, that dangerous kind of weather when bridges collapse, trees fall, buildings mysteriously cave in and the highway auto accident death toll takes a heavy leap in fatalities.

This evening, in Gary, Indiana, the Jackson five were at home, peering out their window at the death-defying weather and hoping the rain would stop. But rain and sometimes little hailstones continue to beat against the window glass… plonk paing plonk… without even a small let up in over an hour.

Mrs. Jackson sat in the family rocker, feeding the baby, and every few seconds, she looked towards the window and wrinkled her brow. She sat silently for a long time before she spoke up. Then, all she said was: “Joe, I don’t think you should go.”

Weather Was Bad

She didn’t have to say anymore. Joe Jackson, father of the Jackson five and the groups manager, driver, and also master and professor, knew that the weather was bad and if the family hadn’t needed the engagement, the chance to show off their talents to an important crowd–and yes, needed the money too–then he’d never in one thousand years take the boys out on the highway in this kind of weather.

He reached for the telephone to call the club and cancel the show. The receiver was next to his ear and his fingers were dialing the number when the guys–Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael–came flying into the room and gathered around him.

“Oh no, dad, please don’t!”

“We work so hard!”

“Other people will be there–you’ll see, and our name will be mud if you make us cancel!”

“Please, please, please! We’ll be okay. You’re driving us yourself!”

One Big Engagement

Joe looked at the eager faces of his sons, the boys who’d worked so hard for this one big engagement. He looked over their heads to the face of his wife, who still sat quietly in her chair. His eyes asked her, “What can I do?” And her answer came, again without words.

“Okay, we’ll go,” Joe answered. The guys ran to change into their new clothes, bright suits that they’d bought especially for this occasion. Joe wrapped his raincoat around him and walked in the rain to the family van, then drove it up right to the door so the guys could jump in without getting their clothes ruined in the downpour.

They all kissed their mother and baby sister goodbye and jumped in. They were off!

Totally Psyched Up

Their engagement was at an Elks Club about 30 miles away and the ride was one of their happiest. They sang, they joked, they teased Joe and made polite but boy type remarks about the girls they passed.

By the time the Elks Club came in view, they were really “up,” totally psyched into a natural high for this job, probably the most important in their career. After all, an official from Motown had been flown down especially for the evening, just to sit in the Elks Club with all the members and watch them perform. If he liked them, it could mean a recording contract!

But all that was going through Joe’s mind was the worry that he was being overprotective again, trying to keep the boys under his jacket when really, there was nothing to worry about. Even the long ride hadn’t been a lick of trouble!

They’re On

“AND INTRODUCING… A NEW GROUP IN GARY INDIANA… THE JACKSON FIVE!”

The boys were on, singing and dancing and going through their numbers like they were old pros, hardly boys brand-new to the business. Joe’s heart was climbing almost into his throat when he saw the Motown representatives standing up and bopping around like he was already a fan and not a high-ranking record company executive with the power to sign them almost immediately.

Joe watched all through the performance, studying Jackie and Jermaine to see their steps were perfect, listening to Michael to make sure his notes were high and true. He boosted up Marlon’s ego from the side of the stage, whispering, “Hey, smile more!”

When it was over, the guys piled in the van, not yet exhausted at all and they began the long ride home.

All you could hear was singing and laughing. Even Joe was adding his big baritone to the group and their sound was almost stereo! Joe kept the speedometer at a safe 45 mph and even though the rain was still pouring down, it was like there wasn’t a drop in the sky.

But up ahead, Michael noticed some headlights. “Hey, that car is on our side,” he said to his dad, quietly so the rest of the guys wouldn’t hear. Everyone heard though and the singing suddenly stopped. They were frozen in panic! The car was heading straight for them!

Quick thinking, Joe immediately flashed his lights. With his left hand, he leaned on the horn and his feet were marching over the brakes and clutch, trying to slow down the Jackson van and edge it to the side of the road to avoid a head-on collision.

The other car didn’t swerve at all! It was still heading straight for them, maybe going 60 or 70 mph! The headlights silhouetted the Jacksons at the last moment, just as Joe swung the van half up an incline at the side of the road.

A Drunk Driver

Crash! They heard the tinkle of falling glass and felt the crush of metal. The band whipped halfway around in the road and when the bouncing stopped, the guys pulled themselves off the floor to see the other car wrapped against a telephone pole just a few feet away, a drunk driver at the wheel.

Miraculously, none the Jackson Five were hurt-only a few bruises here and there. With the exception of a deep gash in the left bumper, even the van was okay.

If Joe hadn’t been quite so silent and strong, tears would have been streaming down his face. For in his mind, all he could think of was this night meant many things to them. It probably meant the start of what could become a lucrative, exciting career for the Jackson Five. But to him, it would always cause a shiver and pain, for to him it only meant that this night, this cold and rainy night outside Gary, Ind., was the night they almost died!