Caption: Paul Moran (far right) in his Motown days

Messages of congratulations to Paul Moran continued to pour in this weekend from the world of show business.

Speaking from his home in Las Vegas, Jermaine Jackson, spokesperson for the legendary Jackson Five wished Paul a happy 50th birthday and recalls the days when the Dubliner made a lasting impression on the group he sang with for a brief three month period.

“Paul had a great voice and had a formidable presence about him. His Irish charm and his sense of humour acted like a magnet for many us, particularly Michael. He was always fooling around with him and the two were inseparable. They were always finishing each other’s sentences and laughing at each other’s jokes,” recalls Jackson. 

Although he toured with the group for just three months, Jackson says Paul’s musical ambitions were put to the test when he persuaded the Motown label to release a single with Raglan Road on the A-side and Four Green Fields on the B-side, which was aimed at winning over new fans in the growing Irish American community. “Initially the studio bosses were reluctant. No way. They just didn’t want to do it,” recalls Jackson. “But with Michael’s backing and his Irish charm, he got his way,” adds Jackson.

The first live rendition of the single was in The Crying Shamrock bar in Queens, according to Jackson. “Wow, that was a strange night. Several fights broke out, there were guys crying into their beer and people were shouting.  It was totally crazy. In the end we had to pack up after just three songs as the cops were everywhere. It was scary man,” he recalls..

Despite just selling 267 singles, mainly in Brooklyn and Queens, the relationship  between the Jackson Five and the Motown label became somewhat strained and the studio put pressure on the group to sever their connections with the Irish singer.

“It was a tough time for us all,” says Jackson. “Michael found the tension unbearable. He had formed a strong bond with Paul. My brother Randy even believed Michael wanted to look like him. One day after a rehearsal, we even found Michael putting on some white make-up on his face. We were all so shocked. I think that’s when the cracks began to appear in our relationship and our future as a band.”

Within weeks of the Crying Shamrock episode, Paul Moran parted company with the band and Michael Jackson decided to carve out his own musical career.  By then Moran had already made up his mind to return to Ireland.

“Wow, I haven’t seen Paul for nearly 30 years,” says Jackson. “I thought he would have been at least 70 by now but I guess that’s what clean living does. So Paul, my man, if you are out there and reading this, Happy Birthday and enjoy your 50th birthday,” concludes Jackson.