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 21 : The Jackson 5 perform “Forever Came Today” and “Body Language ” on the (taped at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City.
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+16: The Jackson 5 perform their last concerts as J5 with Jermaine at the Folk Arts Theater in Manila, Philippines.
February 16 : The Jacksons perform “Forever Came Today” on the Rich Little Show.
February 17+18+19 : The Jackson 5 perform their last concerts as J5 with Jermaine at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines.
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.
The Jacksons perform “One Day in Your Life” and “We’re Almost There” on The Dinah Shore Chevy Show in Burbank.
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 21 : The Jacksons are guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson taped in Burbank where they perform “Without a Song”, “You’ve Got a Friend”, “Make It With You”, “Behind Closed Doors”, “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy”, “You Are the Sunshine of My Life”, “You and Me Against the World”, “Happy”.
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 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 10 : The Jacksons perform “Enjoy Yourself” at CBS Television City in Los Angeles.
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 (taped in Burbank). 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.
