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 published a book on the family titled The Jacksons.
- January:
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.
The Last Jackson 5 concerts with Jermaine
13 February Folk Art Theater Manila Philippines
14 February Folk Art Theater Manila Philippines
15 February Folk Art Theater Manila Philippines
17 February Araneta Coliseum Manila Philippines
18 February Araneta Coliseum Manila Philippines
19 February Araneta Coliseum Manila Philippines
- February 16:
The Jacksons perform Forever Came Today at 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:
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.
- 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”.
- September :
The Jacksons perform “Good Times”, “Enjoy Yourself” & “Think Happy” at “Nochevieja” (Spain)
- October:
The Jacksons ’ first single for Epic is released and a big hit for the group.
- November:
The Jacksons ’ first album for Epic titled The Jacksons is released. Recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia , the album is produced by Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff featuring 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.
- December:
The Jacksons are on the cover of Jet & Soul Magazine.
- December 18 :
Birth of Valencia Jackson, first child of Marlon & Valencia.
