<P> In order to continue increasing sales, Motown launched Michael Jackson's solo career in 1971, with the single, "Got to Be There", released in November of that year . Following several top 40 follow - ups, Michael's 1972 song, "Ben", became his first to top the charts . Jermaine was the second to release a solo project; his most successful hit of the period was a cover of the doo - wop song, "Daddy's Home". </P> <P> By 1972, despite Michael and Jermaine's solo successes, the Jackson 5's own records began plummeting on the charts . Partially credited to the changing musical landscape, the Corporation, which had produced most of their hit singles, split up in 1973 . Focusing their attention on the emerging disco scene, the brothers recorded the charted song, "Get It Together", followed by their hit, "Dancing Machine", their first to crack the top ten since "Sugar Daddy" nearly three years before . Despite those successes, most of the Jackson 5's follow - ups were not as successful and by 1973, Joe Jackson had grown tired of Motown's uneasiness to continue producing hits for the brothers . Joe began producing a nightclub act around his sons and daughters, first starting in Las Vegas and spreading throughout the states . </P> <P> By 1975, most of the Jacksons opted out of recording any more music for Motown desiring creative control and royalties . Learning that they were earning only 2.8% of royalties from Motown, Joe Jackson began negotiating to have his boys sign a lucrative contract with another company, settling for Epic Records, which had offered a royalty rate of 20% per record, signing with the company in June 1975 . Absent from the deal was Jermaine Jackson, who decided to stay in Motown, followed by his marriage to Berry's daughter Hazel . Randy Jackson formally replaced him . After initially suing them for breach of contract, Motown allowed the group to record for Epic, as long as they changed their name, since the name Jackson 5 was owned by Motown . The brothers renamed themselves, simply, the Jacksons . </P> <P> In November 1976, following the debut of the family's weekly variety series, the Jacksons released their self - titled Epic debut under the Philadelphia International subsidiary, produced by Gamble & Huff . Featuring "Enjoy Yourself" and "Show You the Way to Go", the album went gold but failed to generate the sales the brothers had enjoyed while at Motown . A follow - up, Goin' Places, fizzled . Renewing their contract with Epic, the Jacksons were allowed full creative control on their next recording, Destiny, released in December 1978 . Featuring their best - selling Epic single to date, "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)", written by Michael and Randy, the album sold over a million copies . Its follow - up, 1980's Triumph, also sold a million copies, spawning hits such as "Lovely One" and "Can You Feel It". In 1981, they released their fifth album, a live album that eventually sold half a million copies . The live album was culled from recordings of performances on their Triumph Tour . In between the releases of Destiny and Triumph, Michael Jackson released the best - selling solo effort, Off the Wall . Its success led to rumors of Jackson's alleged split from his brothers . After Triumph, Jackson worked on his second Epic solo release, which was released in November 1982 as Thriller, which later went on to become the best - selling album of all time, winning eight Grammy Awards including Album of the Year, plus two number one hit singles "Billie Jean," and "Beat It," and three breakthrough MTV music videos "Billie Jean," "Beat It," and 14 minute zombie music video "Thriller ." Jermaine Jackson was reportedly upset at not being invited to the Thriller One Night Only concert which took place in January 1983 . </P>

When did the jackson 5 become the jacksons
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