Talk:Joe Jackson (musician)

disambiguation needed
There is a need for a disambiguation page here. There is also a Joe Jackson who is the father of the late Michael Jackson, famous rock musician. Joe Jackson (father of Michael) is himself a musician as I understand it. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Skysong263 (talk • contribs) 02:06, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

Breaking Us in Two
"Breaking us in two" from his album Night and Day is still, to this day, considered by some to be one of the greatest songs to be written, by anybody, anywhere. It was this song that immortalised Jackson."

Um, neutrality.

Can I add re ""Breaking Us In Two" [...] was widely notable for the borrowed opening melody from Badfinger's "Day After Day". Well, a)can you verify this, particularly the 'widely notable'? They may sound similar but to say it is borrowed puts you on very quaky legal ground; and b), to quote Jackson's former guitarist Vinnie Zummo on 3 Feb 2009, "For God's sake, it's only the first 5 notes and the chords are different. Writers routinely write similar motifs. I would wager that it was total happenstancey. Joe's song is so much more sophisticated. Besides can any of U really picture Joe coming home at the end of the day and kicking back with some Badfinger? I think not." Thesenioreditor (talk) 17:37, 3 February 2009 (UTC)


 * Fair points - article now re-written excluding both non-referenced, and obviously POV, statements.


 * Derek R Bullamore (talk) 20:25, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

Where do EPs go?
'Real Men' presumably ought to be in that discography somewhere. --Calair 02:00, 16 January 2006 (UTC)


 * It is now included - although it was a single release in June 1982 (b-side "Chinatown"); not an EP (as far as I am aware).


 * Derek R Bullamore (talk) 20:25, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

Missing is: The Harder They Come EP (1980) with 3 songs, The Harder They Come, Out of Style, Tilt Ammobox (talk) 16:10, 4 August 2014 (UTC)

Wasn't steppin out in GTA Vice City?
yes it was. it was played on flash FM  DA RR  e  N   TALK  18:15, 2 October 2006 (UTC) IN MY MIND HES DEFINETLY THE NUMER ONE JOE JACKSON EVEN BETTER THAN SHOELESS JOE THE CHEATER AND PAPA BEAR THE BEATER INDEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROLLIE WILLIAMS 4 EVER.

Discography and Compilation/Greatest Hits albums
Based on AMG's list of compilation albums (here), there are a number that appear to be missing from the discography list:
 * Steppin' Out: The Very Best of Joe Jackson (A&M, 1990, 2001)
 * I'm the Man: The Classic Tracks, 1979-1986 (A&M, 1995)
 * Greatest Hits (A&M, 1996)
 * Master Series (IMS, 1999)
 * The Collection (Spectrum, 2001)
 * 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Joe Jackson (Uptown/Universal, 2001)
 * Ultimate Collection (Universal International, 2003)

Were these left out on purpose? Also, should they each have their own 'album' page? --Register allocation 20:57, 7 April 2007 (UTC)


 * At the last count (same source) there are apparently seventeen (at least) such compilations. Even allowing for repetition etc., this seems a lot to cover in detail. For absolute completeness, possibly so, but who would undertake such a task? On the other hand, the two compilations presently included in the main article is logically too few. Generally, I think I am doing my best, but need some collaboration from somewhere/someone. Thanks,


 * Derek R Bullamore (talk) 23:20, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

There is another release that probably ought to be included: "Propaganda" (A&M SP3178, 1979) was a sampler put out by A&M to promote their stable of new wave acts. It included three Joe Jackson songs I've not found elsewhere. These are a live version of "Throw It Away", a live cover of Chuck Berry's "Come On" and the previously unreleased "Don't Ask Me". --Gorgo (talk) 16:45, 5 September 2010 (UTC)

Personal/Romantic Life
I haven't read Joe Jackson's autobiography. Apparently it mentions his penchant for Real Ale. Did he, by chance, refer to his sexuality? If so, I think that's at least as significant as his drinking and smoking habits. In fact, if it doesn't mention his sexuality, that's of interest, too...especially given Jackson's song "Real Men." MJFiorello 18:23, 13 July 2007 (UTC)
 * I've just finished reading it - it's an excellent read by the way, highly recommended - he mentions girlfriends including one he lived with for some time and a wife to whom he was married for two years. The book finishes in 1978/9 so there's nothing more recent than that. I'm not sure why it (his sexual tastes) matters to anyone - I like the guy for his music and (now) his writing.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by Ukurko (talk • contribs) 21:50, 3 June 2009 (UTC)

Joe Jackson's non-heterosexuality is no secret although he is very coy about it (here's just one source: http://www.afterelton.com/music/2007/7malemusicians). I'm always puzzled by those who say 'why does an artist's sexuality matter?' etc. I can't think of anything more intrinsic to a singer's work than understanding who they're singing their love songs to. Vauxhall1964 (talk) 13:24, 9 July 2009 (UTC)

Coy is an understatement. The quote in the article didn't sound like an admission to me. It is possible to talk and sing about gay stereotypes without actually being gay. --71.107.69.92 (talk) 19:21, 27 November 2009 (UTC)

In which case he must be the first straight man in rock to write a song critiqueing the gay scene. Not to mention being spotted in the gay bars of his adopted city Berlin. Still, closet gay men are by definition hard to 'verify' with sources. Vauxhall1964 (talk) 12:17, 17 January 2010 (UTC)

I actually think it's more a testament to how comfortable he is with his heterosexuality that he was able to write a song like "Real Men" that references the gay culture. I feel like in that song, he takes on a variety of "personas" that don't necessarily reflect who he actually is as a person. There were several sources/forums where I remember reading/hearing from others that Jackson actually found it amusing the way people actually believed he was making a statement about his own sexuality in that song, and that he was actually heterosexual. I'll see if I can locate some of them...Furthermore, just because someone goes to gay bars does not necessarily make them gay!! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.134.39.35 (talk) 03:27, 15 February 2010 (UTC)

I see that he has in fact publicly 'come out' in an interiew in 2001 with the Irish Independent, confrming he is bisexual and in a relationship with a man.

http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/features/is-joe-jackson-really-going-out-with-him-26249363.html

Vauxhall1964 (talk) 12:57, 7 June 2014 (UTC)

Citations & References
See Footnotes for an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the  tags Nhl4hamilton (talk) 09:07, 4 February 2008 (UTC)

Wikification and Footnotes
Just placed a couple of photos here, and found some problems.
 * First, please note that references are only required for statements that could be questioned. In addition, when there are several statements in successive sentences, there is no need to place a reference at the end of every sentence if it's the same one. I found myself removing a lot of excessive references to the same book or website, and didn't even get started.
 * Second, please don't "over-wikify" words that are clear even to people who speak other languages. Words like record producer, cassette tape, record contract are easy to understand. This piece obviously shows a lot of love and care from the editor(s), but should have some redundant references, and unnecessary wikification removed, and copyedited. Take a peek at Bob Dylan or any other FA rated article to get the idea. Less means more. If you'd like help, leave a note for me on my talk page.--leahtwosaints (talk) 23:53, 25 May 2009 (UTC)

Arms and Legs
Members of Arms and Legs in 1976-77 were Joe Jackson (kb/v), Mark Andrews (g/v), Clive Bates (g), Graham Mabey (bs) and (I believe) Dave Houghton (dr). Were very active and well supported on the local club circuit and their single "Heat of the Night" in 1976 received local airplay. Joe was first to formally leave the band in early 1977 however the remainder of the band, minus Clive Bates, gigged during the summer of 1977 as Mark Andrews and the Gents. Joe appeared with them on at least one occasion in August 1977 at the Cumberland Tavern, Eastney (witnessed by this co-respondent). It is possible that the first incarnation of the Joe Jackson Band was this line-up by a different name. MARKE405 (talk) 21:27, 3 October 2009 (UTC)


 * According to his autobiography (p. 214), Jackson played his final gig with Arms & Legs in October 1976. Dave Houghton was not the drummer for this band; the drummer was Dave Cairns.


 * Again according to Jackson, Arms & Legs carried on for a while before dissolving in early 1977 after Maby left. "The Gents" (or "Mark Andrews & The Gents") was a new band formed by Mark Andrews later in 1977.  Jackson makes no mention of this new group involving any former Arms & Legs members, although, of course, it may have at one point.  By the time of their lone album release (1980's "Big Boy") Mark Andrews & the Gents were:  Andrews (v/g), Brian Kemp (kb/v), Barry Lines (g), Martin Sewell (bs) and Larry Tolfree (dr).


 * Meanwhile, The Joe Jackson Band made its live debut in August, 1977, at the Cumberland Tavern with a line-up of Joe Jackson (v/kb), Mark Andrews (g), Graham Maby (bs) and Dave Houghton (dr). Again, according to Jackson's autobiography (p. 231), this line-up was definitely NOT Arms & Legs, but was billed as "The Joe Jackson Band", with Jackson as the sole songwriter/frontman. Andrews joined the Joe Jackson Band on a temporary basis while also continuing to lead his own band -- he was replaced towards the end of the year by Gary Sanford.


 * Hope that helps!  172.129.149.41 (talk) 18:23, 2 June 2010 (UTC)

Copyright problem
This article has been reverted to an earlier version as part of a large-scale clean-up project of multiple article copyright infringement. Text entered in  duplicated at least in part material from. Other content added by this contributor may have been copied from other sources and has been removed in accordance with Copyright violations. Earlier text must not be restored, unless it can be verified to be free of infringement. Content added by other contributors subsequent to the introduction of this material can be restored if it does not merge with this text to create a derivative work. For legal reasons, Wikipedia cannot accept copyrighted text or images borrowed from other web sites or printed material; such additions must be deleted. Contributors may use sources as a source of information, but not as a source of sentences or phrases. Accordingly, the material may be rewritten, but only if it does not infringe on the copyright of the original or plagiarize from that source. Please see our guideline on non-free text for how to properly implement limited quotations of copyrighted text. Wikipedia takes copyright violations very seriously. Moonriddengirl (talk) 21:37, 10 February 2010 (UTC)

Pointless quotations
I removed a quotation that was included as a section because it served no purpose in the article. Since the quotation was referenced, removing one meant removing the other. There is no way to save the reference and remove the quotation. But, as mentioned, the inclusion of the quotation does not add to the article, so both should go. There is no good reason to have a reference in an article just for the sake of having a reference. It needs to be a reference for something of significance, or the insignificant item and the reference for it should both go. 142.177.23.203 (talk) 01:18, 17 August 2010 (UTC)
 * it's a ref to the quotation... and for some odd reason we have tons of quotes on wikipedia... people are even famous for certain quotes.. your opinion is noted but perhaps you should attempt to reach a consensus on the removal instead of warring over it... - 4twenty42o (talk) 05:33, 17 August 2010 (UTC)
 * Looks like WP:BRD to me, so no problem. And my share of the consensus-building effort is also a recommendation to remove that quote. There's no indication of why it's there; it's suddenly there. I'm not aware that Jackson is famous for saying this thing he apparently said. &mdash; JohnFromPinckney (talk) 05:53, 17 August 2010 (UTC)
 * Thanks, John. I agree that if the quote were a famous one that we should find a way to include it, but there is no reason to think it is anything other than a random quote of something he once said. I also find the suggestion strange that we should decide what content an article should have not based on whether the content merits inclusion, but based on whether it allows for one more reference to be included. The quality of the content should drive what is in the article and then references should be included just to support that content. If content simply for the sake of lengthening the reference list were a good idea, then why not add these Jackson quotations: "The element of surprise is very important," from an interview in the Intelligencer Journal Lancaster, PA, April 15, 2005 By Jon Ferguson; or "When I was a kid, I remember thinking that someday I'd be able to get in a spaceship and go to another planet. But it didn't happen, and I'm kind of sorry about it." from an interview in the New York Times by Stephen Holden published April 26, 1989. We could dig up dozens of other quotes from every interview he has ever done and add them, too, but they don't add anything of substance to the article, so have no place in it. Adding content is not about padding the bibliography. I thought we all were taught that in high school. 99.192.51.191 (talk) 13:06, 17 August 2010 (UTC) (aka 142.177.23.203)
 * The editor who originally reverted the edit removing the quotation has made over 100 edits on other pages since this discussion was started, but has not participated in this discussion. I have to wonder if he has dropped his objection. I am going to remove the quotation again and ask that anyone who opposes the removal come her and discuss the issue, not just revert it. 99.192.87.206 (talk) 01:59, 18 August 2010 (UTC) (aka 142.177.23.203)

Citation needed
Surely this doesn't need to be inserted more than once a paragraph. BTW most of them are referenced in A Cure For Gravity. Derekbd (talk) 21:34, 20 February 2011 (UTC)

Mental Health Issues
This article could be more direct about Mr. Jackson's mental health issues. Anyone who gets this bent out of shape about having to go outside to smoke a cigarette must have a screw loose. And some of the stuff on his website is way out there, with links to some of the nuttiest stuff on the internet - health nannies, health nazis, etc. It's really sad that such a great artist is having his mental health issues taken advantage of by the tobacco industry, which is ultimately behind most of this stuff. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.80.141.100 (talk) 23:02, 8 September 2012 (UTC)


 * Have you got any reliable sources for all this, or is it simply original research ? Please bear in mind that Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, which processes information that is sourced from reputable sources - not a variance of a fan site/Facebook/Twitter, which primarily deal with unsourced innuendo, gossip, hypothesis, and fancruft.  You need a good deal of evidence that Joe Jackson has some mental health issues, before even starting to post accusations here - eg., "Anyone who gets this bent out of shape about having to go outside to smoke a cigarette must have a screw loose."


 * Derek R Bullamore (talk) 23:18, 8 September 2012 (UTC)


 * FWIW, IMO Mr. Jackson is simply a man of strongly-held opinions, and who isn't shy about expressing them. If you're fortunate enough to see him play in a smaller venue, you might well see that for yourself.  He can be quite chatty in a small venue, but if you trip over one of his pet peeves (or if you heckle or call out a request), he'll give you what-for, right in front of the entire audience.  I haven't got any evidence, but from what I've seen at his concerts, Jackson's just opinionated and outspoken, not mentally ill.  72.0.15.8 (talk) 18:41, 6 June 2013 (UTC)

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AllMusic
It seems that this has been brought up on at least one album talk page, but some of the wording in some of the Jackson album articles is perhaps too similar to AllMusic's... Caro7200 (talk) 14:56, 22 October 2020 (UTC)

Missing State Theater New Jersey 2005 CD/DVD
This 2021 release is missing. It is 2 CDs along with a DVD of the State Theater show. This tour was Joe Jackson, Todd Rundgren, and Ethel (https://ethelcentral.org/). The Amazon link has more details (https://www.amazon.com/State-Theater-New-Jersey-2005/dp/B092K22XYZ_). The currently top review has some information on why this wasn't released in 2005.

FWIW I saw them on this tour at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. It was fantastic with a great version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" with all artists as an encore. A Hatch Shop (now part of the Country Music Hall of Fame) print was made for the show. This is the link (https://digi.countrymusichalloffame.org/digital/collection/hatch3/id/48747/rec/1) to the poster. I have this signed by Todd and am happy to post a picture if it makes sense once this is added.

--JoelSherrill (talk) 19:09, 2 June 2022 (UTC)