Jermaine Jackson files petition to change his name

by Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY

Posted November 8, 2012

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Jermaine Jackson still had the 'o' when he performed with The Jacksons in June on their Unity Tour at Star Plaza in Merrillville, Ind. (Credit: Barry Brecheisen, Invision/AP)

Jermaine Jackson doesn't want to be a Jackson anymore?

The older brother of Michael Jackson filed a name change petition Tuesday in Los Angeles, reports the AP.

He wants to switch to Jermaine Jacksun. He says it's 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 told AP, a reference to the Jackson 5 disco hit, Blame it on the Boogie.

A hearing on whether Jackson will become Jacksun is scheduled for Feb. 22.