| Born Maureen Jackson in Gary, Indiana in 1950, Rebbie was taught clarinet and piano by her mother. It wasn't until 1976, after the Jackson 5 had left Motown and signed with CBS, that Rebbie began a professional singing career, becoming a cabaret singer and background vocalist. She was credited on LPs by the Emotions, Betty Wright, and others during the 1970's and 1980's and also appeared on the Jacksons' short-lived 1976 variety show. After her brother Michael's success with the mega-selling "Thriller," he was given the chance to write and produce. His first project was Rebbie's first 12" single "Centipede," which hit number four R&B in fall 1984 and top forty on the club play lists. Two more albums and the 12" singles "Plaything" and "R U Tuff Enuff" followed. But none could equal the success of her debut. After a hiatus from show business in which she moved to Virginia, Rebbie signed with Michael Jackson's MJJ label in the late 1990's. Her label debut "Yours Faithfully" was released in March 1998. It received lukewarm response and it looks like Rebbie's singing career might be over. |
