The group signed a new contract with CBS Records in 1976, first joining the Philadelphia International Records division and then Epic Records.[7] Motown Records subsequently sued the group for breach of contract;[8] as a result of the legal proceedings, which were further complicated by the fact that Jermaine Jackson was married to the daughter of Motown president Berry Gordy, the Jacksons lost the rights to use the "Jackson 5" name and logo.[9] Jermaine left the group, choosing to stay at Motown, and the group changed their name to "The Jacksons", featuring youngest brother Randy in Jermaine's place.[10]
After the name change, the group's successful career continued, as they toured internationally and released six more albums between 1976 and 1984. Jermaine re-joined in 1983, making "The Jacksons" a sextet. From 1976 to 1984, Michael was the lead songwriter of the group, writing hits such as "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)", "This Place Hotel" and "Can You Feel It".[11] In 1978, Michael Jackson starred as the Scarecrow in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical The Wiz, with former label mate Diana Ross playing Dorothy.[12] The songs for the musical were arranged by Quincy Jones, who established a partnership with Jackson during the film's production and agreed to produce the singer's next solo album.
Off the Wall, issued in 1979, was the first album in music history to have four top-ten hits, including number one hits "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You".[5] The record itself reached number three on the Billboard album charts, was in the top 20 for 48 consecutive weeks, and sold septuple-Platinum in the United States.[13] Quincy Jones and Jackson jointly produced the album, while the lyrics and music were variously composed by Jackson, Heatwave's Rod Temperton, Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney, among others. The album eventually sold over fifteen million copies worldwide.[14] Despite its commercial success, Jackson felt the album should have made a much bigger impact and was determined to exceed expectations with his next release.[15]
In January 1980, Jackson won three awards for his solo efforts at the American Music Awards; these included Favorite Soul/R&B Album, Favorite Male Soul/R&B Artist, and Favorite Soul/R&B Single (for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough").[5] He also won two Billboard Awards later that month, for Top Black Artist and Top Black Album.[5] On February 27, 1980 Jackson won a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, also for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough".[5] Rolling Stone ranked Off the Wall number 68 on their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time[16] and in 2008, the album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.[17]
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