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GARY, Ind. — You know the story of the Jackson 5 and their journey from Gary, Indiana to Motown and beyond. However, you may not know the story of another Jackson from Gary, whom played alongside Michael Jackson and his siblings, before coming back home to Gary.

That’s the story of Johnny Jackson, the forgotten Jackson drummer.

Filmmaker Kenneth Joseph is the man behind “The Johnny Jackson Story” – an independent documentary that explores the life, trials and tribulations of Johnny Jackson after he left the Jackson 5 and came back home.

“And it takes the audience into that mindset of Johnny at the time,” Joseph explains, “the pain and things of that nature. Coming home and coming back to where it all began – back to zero.”

Johnny Jackson was not related to the Jackson family, but he was a childhood friend. He was a Hoosier who loved music and loved playing the drums. That’s when Joe Jackson saw an opportunity.

“When Joe got involved and later realized, you know, the boys had talent, he started breaking things apart, changing the group, things of that nature. And that’s when Johnny got in,” says Joseph.

Joe Jackson was allowed to legally adopt the teenage Johnny Jackson, so he could travel with the group to their shows. He was the drummer for the group, but not the original. He played with the Jackson 5 during most of their Motown run. But the documentary explores what happened after the Jackson 5 went their separate ways. Being at a young age, Johnny had to return home, and try to figure out where he now fit in his community.

Joseph explains, “while the Jacksons were still indulging in their careers, Johnny was left to struggle like a regular person in Gary, Indiana.”

That struggle and journey is told by Hoosiers whom still live in the city of steel, and who knew Johnny personally. Several contribute their own stories about the Jackson drummer who has been lost to time.

Jackson died on March 1st, 2006. Police in Gary say Jackson was stabbed by his girlfriend, Yolanda Davis. She pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 2 years in prison.

A note from the “The Johnny Jackson Story” Facebook page:

Steeltown Records was a American record label company in 1966 started by original founder Gordon Keith in the basement of his mothers house located at 1025 Taney Street in Gary Indiana with 4 other partners such as Ben Brown, Maurice Rogers, Willie Spencer & Lou Ludi D. Washington. Steeltown Records was the first label to sign the Jackson Five before Berry Gordys’ Motown label in November of 1967. The independent label came to halt in 1972 but now has been resurrected by film maker Kenneth Joseph of Pretty Boy Films Inc.