{"id":149689,"date":"2026-03-02T14:42:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T14:42:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/149689\/"},"modified":"2026-03-02T14:42:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T14:42:11","slug":"the-jacksons-live-at-bergenpac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/149689\/","title":{"rendered":"The Jacksons LIVE! at bergenPAC"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t \ufeff\ufeffBy Spotlight Central<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

originally published: 03\/02\/2026<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Fans who never can say goodbye to classic R&B and pop music ready themselves this Saturday, February 21, 2026 evening at bergenPAC in Englewood, NJ for a rare New Jersey performance by The Jacksons.<\/p>\n

The family band, originally known as The Jackson 5, was formed in Gary, Indiana in 1964 and consisted of brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael Jackson. After signing with Motown Records, the siblings became the first group in history to debut with four consecutive #1 hits on\u00a0Billboard\u2019s\u00a0Hot 100 Chart.<\/p>\n

Upon signing with Epic Records, the group changed its name to The Jacksons and went on to sell over 150 million records worldwide, making them one of the best selling recording acts of all time. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and three of their songs \u2014 \u201cI Want You Back,\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll Be There,\u201d and \u201cABC\u201d \u2014 were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n

With the passing of Michael and Tito Jackson and the retirement of Jermaine Jackson, the current iteration of the family group is typically led by founding member Jackie Jackson and his younger brother, Marlon Jackson.<\/p>\n

Inside the BergenPAC auditorium, the lights dim and shouts of \u201cI love you\u201d ring out as a high-energy video of The Jacksons plays on screen. Musicians Brandon Brown on bass, Stacey Sydnor on drums, Billy Wesson on keyboards, and Kyle Bolden on guitar take the stage along with singers TJ Wilkins, Joseph Spencer, and original member Marlon Jackson.<\/p>\n

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Opening tonight\u2019s show with The Jacksons\u2019 1981 tune, \u201cCan You Feel It?\u201dMarlon Jackson, 68, sings, \u201cIf you look around\/The whole world\u2019s coming together now, baby\/Can you feel it?\u201d as he, TJ Wilkins, and Joseph Spencer sing and dance while deftly supported by the high-octane Jacksons band on this upbeat R&B tune.<\/p>\n

Spencer takes over the lead on the group\u2019s 1978 hit, \u201cBlame it on the Boogie,\u201d where bright harmonies ring out and the crowd happily sings and claps along on the song\u2019s appealing \u201cDon\u2019t blame it on the sunshine\/Don\u2019t blame it on the moonlight\u201d chorus.<\/p>\n

The crowd cheers and Jackson explains to the audience that although his brother, Jackie, \u201chad a fall yesterday and messed up his knee, so he\u2019s not here with us tonight,\u201d that \u201cdidn\u2019t stop me \u2014 I still want to party!\u201d After paying tribute to Jackie and the other original Jacksons, Marlon and the band step into brother Michael\u2019s 1979 #1 pop hit \u201cRock with You,\u201d where he, Wilkins, and Spencer dance in sync while the crowd happily sings along on the song\u2019s rhythmic \u201cI want to rock with you (all night)\u201d refrain.<\/p>\n

Drums kick off the funky 1976 Jackson 5 hit, \u201cEnjoy Yourself,\u201d where Marlon sings lead as young fans in the audience dressed in sequined jackets dance at the foot of the stage. Bass and guitar dance along with the vocal trio as the performers imitate the five original Jackson brothers who do the same steps on the screen behind them.<\/p>\n

Slick choreography characterizes The Jacksons\u2019 rhythmic R&B tune, \u201cShow You the Way to Go,\u201d where Jackson, Wilkins, and Spencer dance under flashing lights before Marlon has the audience sing the song\u2019s \u201cLet me show you\/Let me show you the way to go\u201d chorus for him and the arrangement ends in a flourish.<\/p>\n

Concertgoers hoot and holler and the band shifts into the 1980 funk tune, \u201cLovely One,\u201d where Jackson and Wilkins trade off singing lead as lights flash over the crowd.<\/p>\n

In a video montage set to a soundtrack of \u201c2300 Jackson Street,\u201d audience members learn more about the early days of The Jacksons from mother Katherine Jackson, father Joe Jackson, and Motown founder Berry Gordy.<\/p>\n

Marlon talks about growing up with his brothers in Gary, Indiana, before introducing a medley of chart-topping Jackson 5 hits. After Spencer handles the lead on 1969\u2019s \u201cI Want You Back,\u201d the crowd joins in singing on 1970\u2019s \u201cABC,\u201d Spencer\u2019s voice is featured on 1970\u2019s \u201cThe Love You Save,\u201d and fans stand and dance to the brothers\u2019 funky 1970 hit, \u201cDancing Machine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wilkins tosses his mic from hand to hand as he sings the 1971 Jackson 5 hit, \u201cNever Can Say Goodbye.\u201d Then, as images of Michael Jackson appear on the screen behind them, Spencer introduces the 1970 chart-topper, \u201cI\u2019ll Be There,\u201d before Jackson takes over on the tune\u2019s \u201cI\u2019ll be there to comfort you\u201d bridge and hands in the audience sway back and forth as fans sing the song\u2019s anthemic \u201cI\u2019ll be there\/I\u2019ll be there\/Just call my name and I\u2019ll be there\u201d chorus.<\/p>\n

Marlon introduces a video tribute to his late brother Michael, father Joseph, and brother Tito, set to a recording of the poignant Michael Jackson ballad, \u201cGone too Soon.\u201d Afterwards, he talks about the importance of promoting peace in the world \u201cby understanding one another.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shifting gears by insisting, \u201cNow, it\u2019s time to party!\u201d Jackson trades off singing lead and dancing with Wilkins on Michael Jackson\u2019s funky \u201cCan\u2019t Let Her Get Away\u201d before he spotlights his stagemates on vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass, and drums.<\/p>\n

Fans cheer and the ensemble follows up with the funky R&B tune, \u201cThis Place Hotel,\u201d where Jackson and Wilkins support Spencer as he slides across the stage singing, \u201cSomeone\u2019s stabbin\u2019 my heart (Heartbreak hotel)\/This is Heartbreak Hotel (Heartbreak hotel).\u201d<\/p>\n

Following a grand crescendo, the band segues into The Jacksons\u2019 1978 hit, \u201cShake Your Body (Down to the Ground),\u201d where music lovers sing along on the song\u2019s infectious \u201cLet\u2019s dance\/Let\u2019s shout\/Shake your body down to the ground\u201d chorus. As the number progresses, fans stand, dance, jump, and \u201cshovel the funk\u201d with Jackson, Wilkins, and Spencer before the performers bow and exit the stage to a standing ovation.<\/p>\n

Marlon and Co. return for an encore of the 1982 Michael Jackson Afro-pop hit, \u201cWanna Be Startin\u2019 Somethin\u2019,\u201d where fans energetically sing and dance to the groove before Jackson exclaims, \u201cYou guys are special! We love you! Thank you, New Jersey!\u201d and he and ensemble bow in front of the standing crowd and exit the stage.<\/p>\n

As concertgoers make their way out of the BergenPAC auditorium, several comment on tonight\u2019s performance by The Jacksons. Exclaims Tatiana from Paterson, \u201cThey were great! The band was great and Marlon Jackson was fantastic \u2014 I really enjoyed it!\u201d Zellie from Paterson concurs, adding, \u201cI thought it was a great show! I never thought I would ever see any of The Jacksons in person, so I was glad I was able to be here tonight in Jersey. It really was fantastic!\u201d<\/p>\n

Iman from Paterson insists, \u201cIt was a really fun show to see! My brother and I grew up watching The Jacksons\u2019 videos, so it was great to see them live. I don\u2019t know how old Marlon is, but it was fantastic to see him up there singing, dancing, performing, and doing such a great job.\u201d Connie from Woodbury agrees, confessing, \u201cThe show was so good, I cried!\u201d<\/p>\n

Barri from Brooklyn, NY, acknowledges, \u201cI\u2019m in my 60s now but I remember watching The Jacksons when I was growing up and tonight\u2019s show brought back so many wonderful memories. You could tell Marlon really enjoyed himself. It was great to see the group carrying on the family tradition and keeping the music alive for the next generation.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Lastly, Evangeline from Union City, reveals, \u201cI\u2019m a long-time Jacksons fan; for years, it\u2019s been my dream to see The Jacksons in person and my dream came true tonight. Marlon was in top form and I loved the band and singers \u2014 they put on such an amazing show,\u201d adding, \u201cThe Jacksons are one of the greatest groups of all time,\u201d prior to concluding, \u201cThey\u2019re legends!\u201d<\/p>\n

To learn more about The Jacksons, please go to\u00a0thejacksons.live.<\/a>\u00a0For info on great upcoming performances at bergenPAC \u2014 including Air Supply on March 13, Melissa Etheridge on April 10, and The Sugarhill Gang on April 17 \u2014 please click on\u00a0bergenpac.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Photos by Love Imagery<\/p>\n

Spotlight Central<\/a>. Your source for Jersey entertainment news and reviews<\/p>\n

Love Imagery<\/a> Fine Art Photography. all you need. peace\/love\/flower\/power<\/p>\n

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