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SHOWBIZ TIME MAGAZINE. June Issue  P.18  Continues NEXT                                        Cover of the Magazine     Table of Contents     

THE WORLD GREAT FAMILY SINGERS

The Lennon Sisters The date was December 24, 1955....television history was made when four talented young sisters made their debut appearance on the Lawrence Welk Show. No one knew it then but the Lennon Sisters....made up of eldest daughter Dianne, Peggy, Kathy & Janet would become overnight sensations and one of the show's most beloved musical acts. Dianne Lennon also known as Dee Dee, was born December 1, 1939. She was 16 when she made he first appearance on the show with her siblings. After she wed Dick Gass in 1960, she retired to raise her family, which grew to three children and later three grandchildren. She did return to the show in 1964 and remained there until 1968, when the sisters left the show. Up until her retirement in 2001, she continued performing with the girls on TV, stage, and in Branson. Today, she and her husband runs a popular Branson restaurant and in her spare time, enjoys a good game of golf. Peggy Lennon born April 8, 1941 was 14 when the act made their national TV debut. Known as "the Brain" for her smarts, she first wed Welk trumpter Dick Cathcart in 1964, he was 16 years older than her but that didn't stop them from having a wunnerful family of six until Dick's passing in 1993. She continued to perform with the sisters after Welk in concerts, TV appearances and Branson until her retirement from the stage in 1999. Now lives in Northridge, CA with her second husband, Dr. Bob Felt. Kathy Lennon second youngest of the quartet, was born August 2, 1943. Since first appearing on the show at the age of 12, Kathy has been known to manage the group's business affairs, plus for a while dated Larry Welk, Jr. You can count on her for a good joke and a good laugh, her sunny personality makes her the jokester of the group. Also, she is considered the most athletic of the sisters. She was originally married to Welk saxophonist Mahlon Clark and now currently married to Jim Daris. They both now make. their home in Branson. Janet Lennon the youngest of the Lennon Sisters, was born June 15, 1946. Fans would testify that she perhaps the most popular of the sisters with her on stage charisma, who has appeared in the most fan and celebrity gossip magazines. She has been married twice, first to Lee Bernhardi in 1966, and later John Bahler, bandleader of the Lawrence Welk Orchestra in Branson, MO. She has a total of five children and two grandchildren, which no doubt will continue the Lennon family tradition of entertainment.

The Jackson 5 (also spelled The Jackson Five or The Jackson 5ive, abbreviated as J5, and later known as The Jacksons) was an American popular music quintet from Gary, Indiana. The group, active from 1962 to 1990, regularly played from a repertoire of R&B, soul, funk, and later disco. Considered "one of the biggest phenomenons in pop music[1]" during the early 1970s, the Jackson 5 are also notable for launching the career of their lead singers Michael Jackson and Jermaine Jackson. The Jackson 5 were the eldest five sons of Katherine & Joseph Jackson: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael. Joseph Jackson formed the band in 1962 and served as its manager, with Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and unrelated youths Reynaud Jones and Milton Hite comprising its original lineup. Within a year, Michael and Marlon joined the band, and Michael became lead singer. Signed to the Motown label from 1968 to 1975, and to Epic/CBS Records (as "The Jacksons") from 1975 until their disbanding in 1990, the Jackson 5 were one of the most popular groups of the era and became the first recording act to have their first four major label singles ("I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save", and "I'll Be There") reach the top of the American charts. The members: Jackie Jackson (1962–1990), vocals and tambourine .

 

 

 The eldest brother, Jackie was a high tenor singer and, prior to a musical career, a baseball player. He had a solo career, releasing two albums, and eventually married Enid Jackson. Tito Jackson (1962–1990), vocals and lead guitar. Another original member, baritone singer and guitarist Tito has enjoyed a solo career as a blues musician. In 2007 he took part as a judge on the British celebrity singing show Just the Two of Us. Jermaine Jackson (1962–1975; 1984–1990), vocals and bass guitar. A singer and bass player, Jermaine stayed with the group until the others switched from Motown to CBS Records. He stayed with Motown to pursue a solo career, achieving major success. In January 2007 he took part in the British reality television show Celebrity Big Brother. Marlon Jackson (1963–1987), vocals and tambourine  Joining the year after the band was formed along with Michael, Marlon was sometimes beaten for his failure to live up to his brother's dancing skills. He eventually eloped with Carol Parker, and, due to friction with his brothers, did not perform on the group's last album. He released one solo LP. Marlon then became a real estate broker and co-owner of Major Broadcasting Corporation. He is the only Jackson brother to never divorce. Michael Jackson (1963–1984), vocals and percussion. During his tenure with the Jackson 5, Michael was clearly the most popular member. He was the only one of the brothers to have a consistent solo career, and statistically stands today as the most successful entertainer of all time. Michael became the world's best selling recording artist of the 1980s, and holds the record for the best selling album of all-time with his 1982 LP Thriller. Randy Jackson (1972–1990), vocals bongo, congas, keyboard, synthesizer and bass guitar. Randy unofficially began performing with the Jackson 5 in 1972, playing congas. He became an official member of the group in 1975, replacing Jermaine when the Jackson 5 moved to CBS Records and officially changed their name to "The Jacksons". Data: Family Database, official website, Wikipedia.Continues NEXT