The Jackson 5 recorded several songs, including "Big Boy",
for the local record label Steeltown in 1967 and signed with
Motown Records in 1968. Rolling Stone magazine later de-
scribed the young Michael as "a prodigy" with "overwhelm-
ing musical gifts", nothing that Michael "quickly emerged as
the main draw and lead singer" after he began to dance and
sing with his brothers.
During The Jackson 5's early years, Motown's public rela-
tions team claimed that Jackson was nine years old—two
years younger than he actually was—to make him appear
cuter and more accessible to the mainstream audience.
Starting in 1972, Jackson released a total of four solo
studio albums with Motown, among them Got to Be There
and Ben. These were released as part of the Jackson 5
franchise, and produced successful singles such as "Got
to Be There", "Ben" and a remake of Bobby Day's "Rockin'
Robin".
Jacksons 5 sales began declining in 1973. Although the
group scored several top 40 hits, they left Motown in 1975.
Then came the Jacksons years. Fom 1975 to 1978 Michael
and his brothers were writing and producing their own mu-
sic. Before the decade was over, they recorded 3 albums for
Epic records and embarked on a worldwide tour.
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