In this June 22, 2012 file photo, Jermaine Jackson performs with The Jacksons on their Unity Tour 2012 at Star Plaza in Merrillville, IN. Court records in Los Angeles show Jackson filed a petition on Nov. 6, 2012 to change his famous last name to Jacksun, citing only "artistic reasons." (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Invision/AP, File)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jermaine Jackson wants to change his name to something a little brighter. He’s asking a court to allow him to alter his famous surname and become Jermaine Jacksun.
The older brother of Michael Jackson filed a name change petition on Tuesday in Los Angeles, stating the switch was for “artistic reasons.”
The filing doesn’t elaborate, but Jackson’s friend Steve Dennis, who was speaking on the singer’s behalf, said it’s not unheard of for artists to change their names. “Phonetically, it changes nothing,” he said.
“It is something he has chosen to do, and it’s fair to say that you cannot blame this one on the boogie, you’ve got to blame it on the sunshine,” Dennis said, in a play on the Jackson 5 disco hit, “Blame it on the Boogie.”
Jackson has been touring with his brothers in recent months and has been promoting his book about his superstar brother titled “You Are Not Alone.”
A hearing on whether Jackson will become Jacksun is scheduled for Feb. 22 in Los Angeles.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
