Jermaine Jackson Is Dynamite

The Jackson family is second only to the Minogue clan for pure entertainment value. La Toya is obviously the most fabulous Jackson by quite some margin but her siblings have provided their fair share of trashy delights. As far as I'm concerned, the second most talented and entertaining Jackson is Jermaine. In many ways, Jermaine is the male equivalent of La Toya. They have both dabbled in a variety of musical genres, taken publicity whoring to new levels and been stuck in the shadow of more successful siblings. The only difference is that Jermaine's solo career was actually successful. Oh, and the fact that - unlike sweet and adorable Toy Toy - Jermaine is apparently a complete cunt.

I actually find Jermaine's bizarre behaviour one of his most appealing characteristics. Here are five reasons to love Jermaine Jackson:

1. Jermaine has 11 children from 5 different women.
2. Jermaine named one of his sons "Jermajesty".
3. Jermaine shacked up with, and then married, his brother Randy's wife.
4. Jermaine recorded a duet with Pia Zadora for the cinematic masterpiece "Voyage Of The Rock Aliens".
5. Jermaine released a song "Word To The Badd", which criticised brother Michael's changing skin colour. The lyrics were later altered, transforming it into a "break-up" song addressed to a woman.

I've decided to re-visit one of my favourite Jermaine Jackson albums, 1984's "Dynamite". "Dynamite" was released in the wake of "Thriller" and was intended to propel Jermaine to Michael's level of superstardom. The album didn't quite scale those lofty heights but it was a success and showed that Jermaine had well and truly embraced the pop sound of the 1980s. The album's title track was a top 15 hit and the poptastic "Sweetest, Sweetest" was an international success. The album is also notable for its three duets - the above mentioned classic with Pia Zadora, as well as one of Whitney Houston's first appearances for Arista Records on "Take Good Care Of My Heart" and a duet with Michael, the edgy "Tell Me I'm Not Dreamin' (Too Good To Be True)", which was a #1 dance hit. My favourite song on the album is the truly bizarre "Escape From The Planet Of The Ant Men". Pop is rarely as weird and wonderful as this!

Beef cake Jermaine!