Michael Jackson Was The One Who Had To Say That “we – The Jackson 5 – Were Going To Leave Motown”

Their problems with Motown began around 1974, when The Jackson 5 told Motown in no uncertain terms that they wanted to write and produce their own songs as they didn’t like the way their music sounded at the time. Motown not only refused to grant their requests, they told them it was taboo to even mention that they wanted to do their own music.

Michael: “I really got discouraged and began to seriously dislike all the material Motown was feeding us… When I feel that something is not right, I have to speak up. I know most people don’t think of me as tough or strong-willed, but that’s just because they don’t know me. Eventually my brothers and I reached a point with Motown where we were miserable but no one was saying anything. My father didn’t say anything. So it was up to me to arrange a meeting with Berry Gordy and talk to him. I was the one who had to say that “we – The Jackson 5 – were going to leave Motown”. I went over to see him, face to face, and it was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. If I had been the only one of us who was unhappy, I might have kept my mouth shut, but there had been so much talk at home about how unhappy we ALL were that I went in and talked to him and hold him how we felt. I told him I was unhappy… I knew it was time for change, so we followed our instincts, and we won when we decided to try for a fresh start with another label.”

On May 28, 1975 they signed a contract with Epic Records [CBS], taking effect on March 1976. Jermaine, now Berry’s son-in-law, decided to stay with Motown as his situation was more complicated than the others.

When he left the group, Marlon had a chance to take Jermaine’s place. Randy officially took Michael’s former place as bongo player and the baby of the band.