Ronnie Rancifer

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Kharri Rancifer is an African American musician and songwriter, noted for being the original keyboardist for The Jackson 5 from their early Gary, Indiana days until the end of their famed career at Motown. The label presented Rancifer and drummer Johnny Jackson as the cousins of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Michael, however neither Rancifer nor Johnny Jackson are actually related to the Jacksons.

In addition playing keys for the Jackson 5, Rancifer also worked as a songwriter on some of their albums. In addition, Kharri Rancifer had a long career as a song-writer in Los Angeles, and although the note below infers that he may not have been a member of the group through 1975, it has been confirmed that he was with the group until 1975.

NOTE: References differ on Rancifer's tenure with the Jackson 5. Some indicate he was only a member of the group for 1962 to 1963, while other references state his was a member from 1962 to 1975.

Kharri Rancifer was a member of the Jackson 5/Jacksons until 1975. During the 1980s he worked with other Motown artists, and toured with Smokey Robinson.