1971 Fan Club Report: Part 1

As a kid I wasn't together enough to figure out how to join the official Jackson Five Fan Club presided over by uber-fan, Steven Manning, so I didn't get the annual J5 fan club reports detailing the highlights of their year. So far, I've only ever come across two for sale, one from 1971 and one from 1972. Unfortunately, I was outbid on the latter, but I was able to acquire the 1971 report, written by Steven Manning himself. Manning has remained a true fan and is a close confidant of the Jackson family. You see him here talking to Michael in a photo taken some time in the mid 1970s.

The production itself is nothing to write home about, and there are no photos, but the report itself is interesting. Manning wrote with style and a nod to sociopolitical awareness that was absent in most writing about the Jackson 5. I scanned it into pdf so you can read the entire 1971 Fan Club Report.

Or, almost the entire report. Unfortunately, the last page is missing. Fortunately, I'm enough of a fan that I could supply the missing information myself: look for the remaining group members to develop their own talents. Jermaine is already working on his solo album in 1972, and Jackie, Tito, and Marlon won't be far behind. And, of course, Randy who's been waiting in the wings will soon make them the Jackson 6.

But that wasn't all. There was a surprise waiting for me when I received the report as part of an eBay lot, something that made this particular copy unique. Tune in tomorrow for Part 2.