The Jacksons will be returning to their northwestern Indiana roots for a concert this summer.
The head of Merrillville’s Star Plaza Theatre says the group, now consisting of Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Tito Jackson will perform there June 22.
The show will be part of a 27-city tour around the world in memory of their late brother Michael.
“There’s nothing like having all the brothers on stage at the same time,” Jackie Jackson said in a statement. “This will be exciting for our fans around the world — and I know at each concert, MJ’s spirit will be in the house with us.”
Star Plaza president Charlie Blum tells The Times of Munster that the brothers will perform songs going back to their days as the Jackson 5 when they rocketed to fame from their hometown in neighboring Gary.
“They will perform their universally beloved hits from The Jackson 5, The Jacksons and Jermaine Jackson’s solo career,” said Blum, who also worked with booking the brothers when they were young and just launching a career under the management of their father, Joe Jackson.
Classic hits such as “ABC,” “I Want You Back,” “I’ll Be There,” and “Dancing Machine” catapulted the group to superstardom. Their “Goin’ Back to Indiana” album from 1971 sold 2.6 million copies.
With several No. 1 hits and 14 Top 10 hits, the group has left a mark on the charts.
Not only did The Jackson 5 become the first group to have its first four singles hit No. 1 on the Billboard Charts, but “I’ll Be There” remains the best-selling single in Motown history.
After leaving Motown in 1975, The Jackson 5 added a sixth brother, Randy, and became known as The Jacksons. They signed with CBS Records, scoring more favorites in the late 1970s and early 80s like “Enjoy Yourself”, “Blame It On the Boogie”, “Can You Feel It” and “Heartbreak Hotel.”
Michael Jackson, who made his last public visit to Indiana in 2003, died in 2009. Randy Jackson has decided to not participate in the new tour, saying in earlier interviews that he is not ready to perform without Michael.
The Jackson brothers last did a concert tour together, their Victory Tour, in 1984. Their last studio album, “2300 Jackson Street”, was released in 1989.
Tickets for the Merrillville show go on sale April 14, and range from $55 to $80.
