Jacksons set to receive Icon honour

Pioneering R&B boy band The Jacksons will be honoured as musical icons by performers rights group BMI this fall.

The family of singers will be celebrated as BMI Icons at the group's eighth annual Urban Awards ceremony in Los Angeles in September, the U.S. copyright organization announced Monday.

The group hailed brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Michael and Randy as "one of pop music's most influential" ensembles, who "blazed a trail for R&B and pop music, creating a sound and musical image that is emulated to this day."

The salute will also feature an all-star musical tribute to the Jacksons. Past artists similarly honoured by BMI include James Brown, Isaac Hayes, Little Richard and Chuck Berry.

According to reports, all the brothers — except Michael — have confirmed their attendance. Also, following the announcement, the persistent rumours of a possible Jacksons reunion tour have once again surfaced.

In May 1997, Diana Ross helped induct the five eldest members (Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael) into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as The Jackson 5. The brothers reunited on stage again in September 2001 to perform at New York's Madison Square Gardens to celebrate Michael's 30th anniversary as a solo artist.

BMI's gala, set for Sept. 4, will also feature the presentation of the annual BMI awards honouring achievements in urban music, including song, songwriter, producer and publisher of the year prizes.

Broadcast Music Inc. is a U.S. copyright organization and performers rights group that collects licence fees on behalf of its clients and redistributes the fees as royalties.