Amazing Japanese box-set!

Vynil replicas of the original US LPs with high level of details.

The last ones on amazon.com

In 1971, animation producers Rankin/Bass put together the cartoon personifications of Michael, Marlon, Jermaine, Jackie and Tito with the ABC-aired Saturday morning show the Jackson 5ive. The half-hour program ran for 23 episodes, including a kick-off episode with Motown legend Diana Ross voicing herself. The actual Jacksons weren’t part of the regular voice cast, though, as their busy musical schedules prevented it. 

However, it’s interesting to note that the voice actor who played Michael Jackson in this show, Donald Fullilove, is still active today (unlike most of his “brothers” in this show), and has been heard recently in American Dad!, Wall-E and Up. The group’s musical producer in the show’s adventures (a personification of Motown founder Berry Gordy), was played by Paul Frees…a voice well known in film and TV (including the original War of the Worlds, Steve Canyon, Mister Magoo, “Boris Badenov” in Rocky & Bullwinkle & Friends, “Ignatz Mouse” in Krazy Kat, “Colossus” in Colossus: The Forbin Project , “narrator” of Hardware Wars, various characters in the animated productions The Hobbit, The Return of the King, and “K.A.R.R.” in Knight Rider…he had also been the original Pillsbury Doughboy!). Other on-screen characters in the cartoon included Michael’s pet mice, “Ray” and “Charles”, and pet snake “Rosie”.

Why the trip down memory lane? Well, nothing is official, and we’re not even certain how accurate this is. NOT to cast doubts on the website who gets the credit for this info, or anything like that. It’s just that during the past couple of years, especially as many of this sort of show come to DVD via manufacture on demand programs, and those programs often make plans to release an old show like this one, but then some sort of obstacle comes up and the title doesn’t see the light of day. However, while we should take it with a grain of salt until the official studio announcement comes through (whenever that may be), we’re pleased to pass along word from historian Rick Goldschmidt’s “Enchanted World of Rankin/Bass” blog, posted there yesterday, that “RANKIN/BASS’ THE JACKSON FIVE SHOW coming to DVD in 2012! ” Our thanks to reader Phil Satterley for the heads-up! Stay tuned, of course, and we’ll fill you in as further information becomes available to us.

cbright (forum.jackson5abc.com)

Indeed! with 2 great tracks : “Erucu” and “She’s the Ideal Girl”

No, he doesn’t play on “Looking Through The Windows”. The only track known to be played by Jamerson is “Darling Dear”, on Third Album.

An all-star World Premiere of David Gest’s new film ‘Michael Jackson: The Life of an Icon’ in London on November 2, 2011 at Empire Leicester Square. 

In attendance will be Michael Jackson’s mother Katherine, brother Tito, sister Rebbie, David Gest, the film’s director Andrew Eastel, the event will feature a special Q&A session with Katherine, Tito and Rebbie Jackson, moderated by David Gest.

Plus live Red Carpet coverage of more than 100 celebrities including many of the music industry’s top recording artists, motion picture and television stars, sporting legends and other well-known personalities. 

Live steaming of the webcast is from 1:45 PM - 3:45 ET / 5:45 PM - 7:45 PM GMT on Tuesday November 2.

Watch live streaming video from mjlifeofanicon at livestream.com

DVD / BLU-RAY RELEASE DETAILS 

Release Date:             November 1, 2011 

Trailer:                        http://youtu.be/KGkoumzokKs 

Genre:                         Documentary 

Directed By:               Andrew Eastel

Produced by:              David Gest

Featuring:                  David Gest, Katherine Jackson, Tito Jackson, Rebbie Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick and more

Synopsis:

Available 11/1 on Blu-ray and DVD. See Michael Jackson, one of the most recognizable and popular entertainers of all time, like never before in the feature-length tribute Michael Jackson: The Life of an Icon. Known to millions of fans worldwide for his record-breaking albums, groundbreaking music videos, mesmerizing dance moves and humanitarian efforts, his true story has never really been told…until now.

This unprecedented look into the King of Pop’s fascinating life includes all-new interviews with his mother Katherine Jackson as well as siblings Tito and Rebbie Jackson, family, friends and music legends such as Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick and many more.

Jermaine Jackson, founding member of the Jackson 5 and elder brother of the ‘King of Pop’, Michael Jackson, is to launch his new book at Waterstone’s Piccadilly on publication day, Tuesday 13th September at 5.30pm.

You Are Not Alone: Michael Through a Brother’s Eyes is Jermaine Jackson’s intimate and loving portrait of his younger brother, illuminating the private man like never before. This is the book only Jermaine could write, and one every Michael Jackson fan will want to read. In his only UK appearance, Jermaine Jackson will be at Waterstone’s flagship branch in London’s Piccadilly to sign copies of You Are Not Alone.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for fans of Michael, Jermaine and the Jacksons,” said Waterstone’s PR & Events Manager Jon Howells. “We expect this to be a very popular event – no one was bigger than Michael Jackson, and fans will be hugely excited to meet his big brother.”For further event details, please visitWaterstones.com/events.

Waterstone’s is the UK’s leading bookseller, with nearly 300 branches in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, as well as Eire, Brussels, Amsterdam, Jersey and the Isle of Man. Waterstone’s is owned by Alexander Mamut’s A&NN Group. It is the sponsor of the Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate, currently Julia Donaldson, and was named Children’s Bookseller of the Year at the Bookseller Industry Awards 2011.

Motown is excited to announce the upcoming release of 3 new DVDs: Motown Gold On The Ed Sullivan Show, The Best of The Temptations on the Ed Sullivan Show, and the Best of the Supremes on the Ed Sullivan Show. The footage is live, shot on film and restored! The costumes, the sets, the sound! You’ve GOT to see it! 

Check out clips below for each DVD and pre-order your copy soon!

MOTOWN GOLD 

One of the most important contributions Ed Sullivan will be remembered for is how he bucked the system and embraced R&B performers, giving them their first television breaks. In particular, in the sixties Sullivan embraced the artists from a small record company from Detroit - Berry Gordy’s Motown. Sullivan introduced nearly all the Motown acts helping to break the race barrier in this turbulent period.

Motown Gold from The Ed Sullivan Show is a 2 DVD (3 volume) collection with appearances by legendary Motown acts including The Jackson 5, Diana Ross and The Supremes, The Temptations, Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Martha & The Vandellas and Gladys Knight & The Pips. The collection is packed with classic Motown performances taped live between 1964 and 1971, fully restored with footage never before released. Some of the highlights include:

* The Jackson 5 ushering in a new generation of Motown acts with a medley of their No. 1 hits “I Want You Back,” “The Love You Save” and “ABC.”

* Diana Ross and The Supremes performing their No. 1 hits “Come See About Me,” “Someday We’ll Be Together” and “Love Child.”

* The Temptations doing their No. 1 hits “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)” and “I Can’t Get Next to You.” * The Four Tops with their No. 1 hit single “Reach Out I’ll Be There.”

* Martha & the Vandellas singing their timeless classic “Dancing in the Street.”

* Marvin Gaye’s only Sullivan appearance singing “Take This Heart of Mine.”

* Young Stevie Wonder captivating the audience with his No. 1 hit “Fingertips Pt. 2” and his classic “For Once in My Life.”

* A never-before-released performance of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles doing a medley of the hits “I Second That Emotion,” “If You Can Want” and “Going to a Go-Go.”

* Gladys Knight and the Pips performing the hit “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”

DISC ONE

Volume 1

1. THE JACKSON 5: I Want You Back, ABC

2. THE SUPREMES: You Can’t Hurry Love

3. THE TEMPTATIONS: Don’t Look Back

4. FOUR TOPS: Reach Out I’ll Be There

5. SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES: I Second That Emotion, If You Can Want, Going To A Go-Go

6. GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS: If I Were Your Woman

7. STEVIE WONDER: Fingertips Pt. 2

8. DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES: I’m Living in Shame

9. THE TEMPTATIONS: Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)

10. MARVIN GAYE: Take This Heart of Mine

11. DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES: Love Child

12. THE TEMPTATIONS Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There,My Sweet Lord

13. DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES: Someday We’ll Be Together

BONUS

14. GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS: I Heard It Through The Grapevine

Volume 2

1. THE JACKSON 5: Stand, Who’s Lovin’ You,I Want You Back

2. THE SUPREMES: Come See About Me

3. STEVIE WONDER: For Once In My Life

4. MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS: Dancing In The Street

5. THE TEMPTATION: Get Ready

6. THE SUPREMES: My World Is Empty Without You

7. FOUR TOPS: When You’re Smiling, It’s The Same Old Song, Something About You, I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)

8. SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES: Abraham, Martin & John

9. THE SUPREMES: Come See About Me, Stop! In The Name Of Love, You Can’t Hurry Love, You Keep Me Hangin’ On, I Hear A Symphony

10. THE TEMPTATIONS: Runaway Child, Running Wild

11. THE SUPREMES: Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart

BONUS

14. FOUR TOPS: All In The Game, Nice & Easy

DISC TWO

Volume 3

1. DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES: Forever Came Today

2. SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES: Doggone Right

3. THE JACKSON 5: The Love You Save

4. THE TEMPTATIONS: I Can’t Get Next To You

5. THE SUPREMES: The Happening

6. FOUR TOPS: Reach Out I’ll Be There, I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch), Bernadette, Climb Ev’ry Mountain

7. GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS: Nitty Gritty, By The Time I Get To Phoenix, Stop and Get a Hold of Myself

8. THE TEMPTATIONS: You’ve Made Me So Very Happy

9. DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES: In And Out Of Love

10. THE TEMPTATIONS: Psychedelic Shack

11. DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES: Love Child

BONUS

12. FOUR TOPS: Put A Little Love In Your Heart