Joe Jackson Cried When His Sons Fired Him As Their Manager in 1983. Michael Was The First To Fire His Father In 1979

The Jackson family’s story is one of incredible success, but behind the fame and fortune were also struggles, conflicts, and painful decisions. One of the most emotional chapters came in 1983, when Joe Jackson—the father who had managed his children’s careers since the beginning—was officially fired as their manager.

Michael Jackson, the most successful of Joe’s children, was also the first to part ways with his father’s management. When Michael turned 21 in 1979, he gained legal control over his career and quickly dropped Joe as his manager. By this point, Michael was already preparing to embark on his groundbreaking solo journey, which would soon lead to the release of Off the Wall and the record-shattering Thriller. Michael’s decision marked the beginning of a shift within the Jackson family business. His brothers would soon follow.

By 1983, tensions had reached a boiling point. The Jackson brothers, who had achieved worldwide fame as The Jackson 5 and later as The Jacksons, decided collectively to end Joe Jackson’s role as their manager. For decades, Joe had been at the helm, pushing his sons from their humble beginnings in Gary, Indiana, to Motown superstardom.

But the strict, often harsh methods Joe used—along with his controlling grip on the group—had caused growing resentment. The brothers wanted independence, both personally and professionally.

When the decision was made, Joe Jackson reportedly cried, devastated by the reality that his sons no longer wanted him guiding their careers. For a man who had built his identity around managing his children’s success, the firing was more than a business move—it was deeply personal.

Joe Jackson’s role in the success of The Jacksons is undeniable. Without his relentless drive, discipline, and vision, the world may never have known the Jackson 5—or seen Michael Jackson rise to become the “King of Pop.” Yet his legacy is complicated, as many of his children have spoken openly about the emotional and physical toll of his parenting and management style.

The 1983 firing symbolized both a painful family rift and an important turning point: the Jackson brothers taking control of their own careers, and Michael setting out on the path that would make him the biggest entertainer in history.

For Joe, it was a loss that brought him to tears, showing that even behind the tough exterior, the decision cut deep.