Marlon David Jackson was born on March 12, 1957, at St Mary's Mercy Hospital in Gary, Indiana,[1] the sixth child of Joseph who was a steel mill worker, and played in an R&B band, the Falcons, with his brother Luther, and Katherine Jackson, a Jehovah's Witness.

Growing up, Marlon was especially close to Michael, whom he considered the substitute for his lost twin brother, Brandon David Jackson, who died shortly after birth.

[2][3][4] By 1964, Marlon and Michael joined their brothers Tito, Jackie and Jermaine, forming the group the Jackson 5.

Brother Randy later joined the band when Jermaine chose to stay at Motown after the group left the label and renamed themselves the Jacksons.

[6][5][7][8] Marlon and his brothers first signed as the Jackson 5 with Gordon Keith of Steeltown Records in November 1967, and their first single "Big Boy", was released on January 31, 1968.

In 1983, Gordy asked the group to perform at the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever television special.

[14] Like Michael and Jermaine, Marlon began a solo career, releasing the album Baby Tonight in 1987.

In 1999, Marlon started running the Major Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) along with Florida attorney Willie E. Gary, baseball player Cecil Fielder, boxer Evander Holyfield, and Alvin James.

[6] In 2008, Marlon and a board of new partners founded the Motherland Group LLC; its purpose is to bring recognition to ancient Badagry, Nigeria for education and tourism, while preserving its history.

[18] In honor of Michael, Marlon and his brothers, Tito, Jackie, Jermaine and Randy Jackson served as pallbearers wearing a gold necktie, a single white glove and sunglasses.