Ronnie Rancifer
Ronnie 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[1] of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Michael, however neither Rancifer nor Johnny Jackson are actually related to the Jacksons.
In addition to playing keys for the Jackson 5, Rancifer worked as a songwriter on some of their albums. Rancifer had a long career as a songwriter 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.
He co-wrote "I Am Love" from the 1974 album Dancing Machine.
Ronnie 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.
References
- ↑ "About The Jackson 5", MTV.