 |
THE
FOUR J'S (1970's)
In
the seventies, the family believed the only way to make
it big was to be discovered, like when Diana Ross discovered
the Jackson Five. No one in the family really had a
plan on how to make it, so they did their share of of
talent shows, school dances, carnivals and fairs. It
was a learning experience, because their parent managers
couldn't get the right people to see the family of "J's",
even with a 4 year old drummer.
|
|
The Four J's at sound check, preparing to jam for students
at Benjamin O. Davis Jr. High school in South Central
Los Angeles. (Above) It was the first time they were asked
to sign autographs.
|
Janine starts to rehearse with the band at the age of
three. ( Above) |
| |
|
|
The young
band was very talented back then. Some say the family
missed their calling because they all had superstar qualities,
but today the family feels they were spared the toils
of Hollywood. They call it the "Jackson Syndrome".
In 1981 they
reformed as the "J. Harris Band" adding youngest
sister Janine, a non family member John Peterson on bass,
and a manager, James Bailey. That was cool because all
the new crew had first names starting with the letter
"J"..
|
|
That's about as big as "The Four J's" got,
small time gigs and no recording. They
were young back then, and it would take five years before
the family would get back together as a band.
|
|
|
THE
J. HARRIS BAND (1980's - 90's)
|
In 1981
the band regrouped using the name "J. Harris Band"
They quickly became the most popular band on the club
curcuit. Packing rooms all over Orange County. It was
the doing of their manager, James Bailey, that made them
popular, taking them to the brink of stardom.
J. Harris Band w/ John Peterson
on bass
|
 |
Christmas
has never been the same after this shot was taken. Cliff
"Stratman" Stratton (right), a cheif from The
White House, married Julie and took Jeff's place after
he left the family and started "Mahnaz".
|
|
| |
|
 |
