58 Years Ago Today: The Jackson Five Release Their First Single, Big Boy

On January 31, 1968, five brothers from Gary, Indiana—Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Marlon Jackson, and a then-nine-year-old Michael Jackson—took their first official step into recording history. Performing as The Jackson Five, they released their debut single, Big Boy.

if you were growing up in the 70s, you could NOT escape them. they were EVERYWHERE! pic.twitter.com/Raxj6hCaB4

— ৻ꪆ. (@filmsbratz) September 16, 2024

A Local Beginning With Global Consequences

Big Boy was issued by Steeltown Records, a small independent label rooted in the brothers’ hometown. The record was produced by Gordon Keith, who helped capture the raw energy of the group at a time when they were still performing in local talent shows and community venues.

While modest in distribution, Big Boy immediately set the Jacksons apart. The song’s crisp harmonies, tight musicianship, and Michael’s unmistakable youthful lead hinted at a level of polish rarely heard from such a young act—especially one operating outside the major-label system.

Why Big Boy Still Matters

Although Big Boy did not chart nationally, its importance is foundational:

• Proof of concept: It demonstrated that the Jackson brothers were studio-ready and commercially viable.

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  Industry calling card: The single helped open doors to larger showcases and competitions, eventually leading to attention from Motown Records.

• Historical marker: It stands as the very first recorded release in what would become one of the most influential family legacies in popular music history.

From Steeltown to Motown

Within a year, the momentum generated by Big Boy helped propel the group toward Motown, where they would soon redefine pop and soul music with chart-topping hits like “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” and “I’ll Be There.” But none of that happens without this January 1968 milestone.

A Legacy That Began at Home

Fifty-eight years later, Big Boy remains more than a debut single—it’s a snapshot of five brothers at the very start of a journey that would reshape global music culture. From Gary, Indiana to the world stage, this release marks the precise moment the Jackson Five transitioned from local prodigies to recording artists—setting history in motion.

What began as a modest hometown release would soon evolve into one of the most explosive rises in popular music history.

From First Release to No. 1 in Just Two Years

#OTD in 1970: The #1 song was “I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5pic.twitter.com/SBxpGflACr

— OldSchool (@xacct01) January 31, 2026

The historical weight of Big Boy becomes even clearer when viewed against what followed shortly after. On this same date in 1970, The Jackson 5 reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with their Motown debut single I Want You Back.

The achievement launched an unprecedented streak of four consecutive No. 1 singles, all led by an 11-year-old Michael Jackson—a feat that redefined what a young group could accomplish on the world stage.

In just two years, the Jacksons traveled a rare path: from recording their first single on a small independent label in Gary, Indiana, to standing at the very top of the global music charts. Few debuts in modern music history have ever paid off so quickly—or so profoundly.