Why didn't Jermaine Jackson have a bigger solo career?

He was *perhaps* less charismatic than Michael, but Jermaine's vocal tone was equally good as Michael's--perhaps not as clear and pure, but deeper in feeling and much warmer than Michael's.

His hit solo singles were quite good and catchy, but he never really caught on like Michael, or even Randy.

Was it attitude? I know he was envious of little brother Michael, whose instant charisma was off the charts, but there are plenty of other assholes who become and remain stars. So what's the deal? Plus, he was sexy in a way Mike could never be.

Here he is on "I'll Be There," on second lead vocal. Just stunning and beautiful. It demonstrates the warmth, intimacy and depth I referred to earlier.

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by Anonymous

reply 25

December 7, 2022 11:04 PM

Because he has no talent.

by Anonymous

reply 3

December 7, 2022 4:44 PM

Because none of them were very good alone, minus Michael and later Janet.

by Anonymous

reply 4

December 7, 2022 4:44 PM

I agree that he had a very sexy sound, but even before auto-tune, he had a very manufactured sound & was indistinguishable from other singers. He wasn't bad - he just didn't stand out

by Anonymous

reply 5

December 7, 2022 4:48 PM

He didn’t have stand-out songs and his persona/style was pretty forgettable. Janet had splashy songs, splashy style, splashy tabloid intrigue…. Jermaine had none of that.

This diss track is a lot better than it had any right to be but no one wants to hear a Michael diss track from anyone in that grifting family, lol!

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by Anonymous

reply 6

December 7, 2022 4:53 PM

Daddy, they talking about you.

by Anonymous

reply 7

December 7, 2022 4:58 PM

Because Tootie Ramsey kept sending him papier mache busts. He just gave up showbiz to avoid them.

by Anonymous

reply 8

December 7, 2022 5:02 PM

Actually he has a terrible, raspy voice

by Anonymous

reply 9

December 7, 2022 8:18 PM

His Dynamite album was great

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by Anonymous

reply 10

December 7, 2022 9:38 PM

Another cool song from the Dynamite album

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by Anonymous

reply 11

December 7, 2022 9:41 PM

Because he couldn't hold a candle to Michael or Janet, OP. And he didn't have their charisma, either.

by Anonymous

reply 13

December 7, 2022 9:52 PM

I’d always jam to this song before going out on the town.

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by Anonymous

reply 14

December 7, 2022 9:53 PM

Excuse me! Michael and Janet NEVER sang with me!

by Anonymous

reply 15

December 7, 2022 9:56 PM

I doubt you'll find many people who honestly think Jermaine's solo albums and singles were as good as Off the Wall or Thriller. I think Michael had become an off-putting weirdo by the time of Bad, and by the time of HIStory even his music pretty much sucked, but he was simply more talented and better at making records than Jermaine was. At his best Michael had a touch of genius that none of the other Jacksons had, though Janet (with a lot of help from Jam-Lewis) came close. He was the natural star of the family and there's a reason he was always promoted as such. When the Jacksons tried to make an album without him (but with Jermaine) in the late '80s it was a big flop.

However, Jermaine is the only one besides Michael and Janet who had anything close to a viable solo career. I don't think I even know the difference between Randy, Marlon, Jackie, and Tito. Rebbie only had "Centipede." LaToya has always been a punchline.

by Anonymous

reply 16

December 7, 2022 9:56 PM

R7 He looks like he might be handsome

by Anonymous

reply 17

December 7, 2022 9:59 PM

Remember when Tootie had that meltdown when Mrs. Garrison said no to his concert?

by Anonymous

reply 18

December 7, 2022 10:35 PM

Jermaine was paired with Whitney in the beginning of her career. In his bio, Clive Davis wrote how MJ tried to undermine his brother's career.