When I was going through back issues of the Chicago Defender yesterday, I came across this curious notice in the July 10, 1968, issue. It announces an upcoming ten-day appearance by the Jackson Five at the Regal Theater beginning July 12, and mentions that they will be playing their hit song, "We'll Always Love You." To my knowledge, this was not a song they released with Steeltown and whether they ever recorded such a song with them is unknown. We do know that the Jacksons' six-month contract with Steeltown had just run out at the end of June 1968, and their manager/father had decided not to renew, much to the chagrin of Steeltown's owner, Gordon Keith, who always felt the Jacksons abandoned him just as their careers were beginning to take off. Could this have been a planned second single from Steeltown that never saw the light of day?To add to the mystery, the Jackson Five used to sign their 8 x 10 glossy photos with the inscription "We'll always love you, The Jackson Five." But which came first -- the inscription or the song title? And was it ever even a song? Or was it just an error made by a busy caption writer? The chase continues...
Oooh, very interesting indead!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've even heard of "we'll always love you" before!
This article raises a lot of new questions...
I have one of the original 8 x 10 glossies they signed "We'll always love you, the Jackson Five." (It looks like Jackie's handwriting, and always is spelled with two l's.) It's the photo where they are wearing gold suits and Michael is holding the old-fashioned microphone. I'll scan it when I get a chance.
ReplyDeleteGreat! I'm learning so many new things here!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm i'm thinking that maybe it's a song they used to perform ONLY but never recorded as surely it would have come to light sometime over the last 40+ years if it had have been?
ReplyDeleteperhaps it was an earlier incarnation of the "Weeeeeee Thank You" harmony/song the boys would do a few years later during there Motown concerts!?