Motown begins court procedure over The Jackson 5 departure to CBS seeking $ 20 millions damages.
Steve Manning, a friend of the Jacksons and president of their fan club publishes a book on the family titled The Jacksons.
January 31 : Michael accepts an award on behalf of Gladys Knight & The Pips at the American Music Awards and he also presents an award to Aretha Franklin with David Soul.
February 13/14/15/17/18/19 : The Jackson 5 perform their last concerts with Jermaine at the Folk Art Theater Manila Philippines.
February 16 : The Jacksons perform “Forever Came Today” on the Rich Little Show.
March 10 : The CBS contract with The Jacksons is effective. Jermaine refuses to sign it.
He leaves the group and stays at Motown.
June 15 : Motown releases The Jackson 5 Anthology.
June 16 : Michael tapes a TV interview at Hayvenhurst.
CBS airs the first episode of The Jacksons Variety Show. The show based on their Las Vegas set features The Jacksons + The Jackson Sisters (Rebbie, LaToya & Janet). Special guest star : Sonny Bono. Songs performed :”Forever Came Today”, “Love Will Keep Us Together”, “More Than You Know”/”Am I Blue?”/”For Once in My Life”/ “Try a Little Tenderness”, “Steppin’ Out with My Baby”, “Dancing Machine”.
June 23 : CBS airs the 2nd episode of The Jacksons Variety Show. Special guest star : Mackenzie Phillips. Songs performed : “(You Were Made) Especially For Me”,
“Do The Fonz”, “A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock and Roll”/”Deep Purple”Convoy”, “Junkfood Junkie”, “Ben”, “Goin’ Back to Indiana”.
June 24: The Jacksons are on the cover of Jet Magazine.
June 30 : CBS airs the 3rd episode of The Jacksons Variety Show. Special guest star : Ed McMahon. Songs performed :”Rockin’ Robin”, “Flat Foot Floogie”, “World of Sunshine”, “Save The Bones for Henry Jones”, “The Love You Save”.
July : The Jacksons are guest on The Tonight Show where they give an interview and perform 2 songs.
The Jacksons record their first album for CBS Epic Records at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. The album is produced by Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff.
July 7 : CBS airs the 4th episode of The Jacksons Variety Show. Special guest star : Joey Bishop. Songs performed :”ABC” “Fever”, “I Got You Babe”,”Down by the Old Mill Stream”, “Never Can Say Goodbye”.
October 29 : The Jacksons’ first single for Epic “Enjoy Yourself” is released (it will peak at 6 on Hot 100 Billboard).
November 5: The Jacksons’ first album for Epic titled “The Jacksons” is released. The album features for the first time two songs produced by The Jacksons : “Style Of Life” & “Blues Away” (written by Michael)
The Jacksons are on the cover of Rock & Soul Magazine.
November 12 : The Jacksons perform “Enjoy Yourself” on Dinah TV show. Michael talks to Fred Astaire on the show.
December: The Jacksons are on the cover of Jet & Soul Magazine.
The Jacksons perform “Good Times”, “Enjoy Yourself” & “Think Happy” on “Nochevieja” (Spain)
December 18 : Birth of Valencia Jackson, first child of Marlon & Valencia.
While on a promo tour in San Francisco, The Jacksons go to local music store “Jax Records” where fans swarm the place and break the windows causing chaos and injuries.
