1978
June/July/August : The Jacksons record the “Destiny” album in Los Angeles after recording song demos at their Hayvenhurst home studio.
June 16 : Birth of Autumn Jackson, second child of Jermaine & Hazel.
July 16 : Dee Dee gives birth to Tito Jackson Jr (TJ).
July 29 : Michael performs “Different Kind of Lady” and “The Greatest Love of All” at Cocoanut Grove in Los Angeles.
August : The Jacksons film their first music video “Blame It On The Boogie” directed by Peter Conn.
August 17: Janet & The Jacksons make a publicity photo session at Jackie’s home.
August 22 : Michael gives an interview to Randy Tarraborelli at Hayvenhurst.
August 23 : Epic releases the first single from “Destiny” titled “Blame It On The Boogie.
August 25: Michael attends a reception for the Robert Kennedy Tennis Tournament at the NBC Building in New York City .
August 29 : Michael purchases his first Rolls Royce for his 20th birthday.
September 18 : MCA releases the soundtrack of The Wiz featuring Michael on 6 tracks.
September 21 : MCA releases the single “Ease On Down The Road”, a duet between Michael & Diana Ross from the soundtrack of The Wiz.
October 23 : Michael visits the famous toy store F.A.O Schwartz in Manhattan.
October 24 : Michael attends the premiere and after party of “The Wiz” at Windows on the World in New York with Leslie Uggams, Valerie Simpson, Nick Ashford and Quincy Jones among others.
October 25: Michael attends the premiere & opening night party of “The Wiz” at the Pitt’s Century Plaza Theater in Century City (Los Angeles) with Katherine, Joe, Janet & Latoya & Diana Ross among others.
November : At Hayvenhurst, Michael records song demos for his upcoming solo album including “Workin’ Day & Night” & “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” with Randy & Janet as percussionists!
December : Michael starts recording the album “Off The Wall” with producer Quincy Jones and sound engineer Bruce Swedien at Cherokee Studio 3.
The Jacksons launch their first productions company named Peacock Productions and they start rehearsing for their upcoming Destiny World tour.
December 16 : The Jacksons tape performances of “Shake Your Body”, “Push Me Away” & “Things I Do For You” on American Bandstand and Soul Train (aired on February 10, 1979)
December 17 : Epic releases “Destiny”, the first album for which The Jacksons had total creative control.
The Jacksons tape performances of Shake Your Body, Things I Do For You & Push Me Away on Soul Train and give an interview. plus a Michael’s interview. (aired on February 3, 1979).
1979
January: Michael is on the cover of Rock & Soul Magazine.
The Jacksons rehearse for The Destiny Tour. Their new show include 4 songs from their new album (Things I Do For You, Destiny, All Night Dancin’ & Blame It On The Boogie).
Motown releases Boogie, a collection of unreleased songs from the Jackson 5.
January 11 : MCA releases the single “You Can’t Win” from the soundtrack of The Wiz.
January 22+24+26 : The Jacksons kick off the European leg of Destiny tour at the Bremen Germany Musical Theater in Bremen, Germany. While in Bremen, The Jacksons perform “Blame It On The Boogie” on Musikladen TV show.
January 27 : Concert at the Jahrhunderthalle in Frankfurt, Germany.
January 28+29+30 : Concert at the El Teatro Monumental in Madrid, Spain.
While in Madrid, The Jacksons tape a performance of “Shake Your Body” on Spanish TV show Aplauso.
January 31 : Concert at the Martiniplaza in Groningen, Netherlands.
February : The single “Shake Your Body” is released by Epic and becomes a huge success. It will peak at #7 on Hot 100 Billboard.
February 1+2 : Concert at the Koninklijk Theater Carré in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
While in Amsterdam, The Jacksons tape a performance of “Shake Your Body” for Dutch TV show TopPop (which is aired on February 24)
The Jacksons are on the cover of Jet Magazine.
February 3 : Soul Train’s episode with the Jacksons is aired on US TV. The group performs “Shake Your Body”, “Things I Do For You” & “Push Me Away”.
February 6+7+8+9 : Concerts at the Rainbow Theatre in London.
While in London, The Jacksons tape performances of “Shake Your Body”, “Blame It On The Boogie” & “Destiny” on Top Of The Pops. They also perform “Shake Your Body”, “Things I Do For You” & “Destiny” on Midnight Special. Jermaine joins them on stage for the last song.
February 10 : Concert at the Brighton Center in Brighton, England.
ABC airs American Bandstand featuring The Jacksons performing “Shake Your Body”, “Push Me Away” & “Things I Do For You”.
February 11 : Concert at the Guildhall in Preston, England.
February 12 : Concert at the Wakefield Theater Club in Wakefield, England.
February 13 : Concert at the Fiesta Club in Sheffield, England.
February 14+15 : Concerts at the Victoria Hall in Geneva, Switzerland.
While in Switzerland, The Jacksons perform “Destiny”, “Shake Your Body” & “Blame It On The Boogie” for an Abba Special.
February 16 : Concert at the Apollo Theatre in Glasgow, Scotland.
February 17 : Concert at the Manchester Apollo in Manchester, England.
February 18 : Concert at the Bingley Hall in Birmingham, England.
February 19 : Concert at the Civic Theatre in Halifax, England.
February 20 : Concert at the De Montfort Hall in Leicester, England.
February 21 : Concert at the Sophia Gardens Pavillon in Cardiff, England.
February 23+24 : Concert at the England Rainbow Theatre in London. The first concert is filmed for television and aired later on.
February 25 : Concert at the Poole Arts Centre in Poole, England.
February 26 : Concert at the Koninklijk Theater Carré in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
February 29 : Concert at the Théâtre des Carmes in Avignon, France.
March 2 : Last concert of the European leg at Le Palace in Paris, France.
March 6+7+8+9+10 : The Jacksons kick off the African leg of Destiny Tour Concerts at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa.
March 12+13+14+15 : Concerts at the Stade de l’Amitié in Dakar, Senegal.
March 16 : Concert at the Aliff Gymnasium in Nairobi, Kenya.
March 19+20+21 : Concerts at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa.
March 22 : The Jacksons fly back home and Michael resumes the recording of the album Off The Wall with Quincy Jones.
April 14+15 : The Jacksons kick off the US leg of Destiny Tour at the Music Hall in Cleveland. They add “Shake Your Body” to the setlist as the final song.
April 19+22 : Concerts at the Valley Forge Music Fair in Devon.
April 25+26+27+28+29 : Concerts at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago.
May 3 : Concert at the Bayfront Center in St. Petersburg.
May 6 : Concert at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Jacksonville.
May 10+12 : Concert at the Music Hall in Houston.
May 11 : The single “Destiny” is released (only in the UK).
May 16 : Concert at the Birmingham Municipal Auditorium in Birmingham.
May 17 : Concert at the Municipal Auditorium in Columbus.
May 18 : Concert at the War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville.
May 19 : Concert at the Atlanta Civic Center in Atlanta.
May 20 : Concert at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis.
May 24 : Concert at the Saenger Theatre in Pine Bluff.
May 26 : Concert at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.
May 27 : Concert at the Tarrant County Convention Center in Fort Worth.
May 28 : Concert at the Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium in Shreveport.
June 1 : Concert at the Chrysler Hall in Norfolk.
June 3 : Concert at the Township Auditorium in Columbia.
June 8 : Concert at the Belk Gymnasium in Charlotte.
June 9 : Concert at the Capital Centre in Landover.
June 10 : Last concert of the first US leg at the War Memorial Auditorium in Greensboro.
Late June : Michael, Quincy & Bruce complete the recording & mixing of the album Off The Wall at the Westlake Studios in Los Angeles.
The Jacksons start recording the Triumph Album.
July : Michael shoots a video for the song “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” with a new short hair.
July 1 : Mayor Tom Bradley declares “Jackson Day” in Los Angeles in honour of the group achievements. Some 300 guests attend a party in the City National Bank Vault in Beverly Hills including Katherine, LaToya & Janet. The Jacksons receive a Platinum Record for Destiny. Michael’s date for the night is actress Tatum’ O Neal. Michael performs “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” .
July 10 : The single “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” is released. It peaks at #1 on Hot 100 Billboard.
August 10 : Epic releases the album “Off The Wall” (N°1) A huge success thanks to the genius of Michael Jackson combined with the musicians of Quincy Jones. With four Top Ten singles and more than 15 millions records sold, Off The Wall has become a classic in pop history.
August 16: Michael is on the cover of Jet Magazine.with an exclusive interview.
August 20: Michael is on the cover of Soul Magazine with an exclusive interview.
August 29: Michael and his brothers make a photoshoot with photographer Mathew Roltson.
Michael celebrates his 21st birthday at the Studio 54 club in New York City.
Michael’s contract with Joe Jackson expires and he now takes control of his own career.
September: The Jacksons are on the cover of Ebony Magazine.
Michael shoots a video for the song “Rock With You” directed by Bruce Gowers.
The Jacksons rehearse for the new leg of the Destiny World Tour and they add new songs to the setlist (Off The Wall, Rock With You, Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough and Shake Your Body).
September 26 : The Jacksons kick off the second US leg of Destiny Tour at the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Washington.
October 2+3 : Concert at the Municipal Auditorium in New Orleans.
October 4 : Concert at the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum in Shreveport.
October 5 : Concert at the Mobile Municipal Auditorium in Mobile.
October 6 : Concert at the Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville;
October 7 : Concert at the Louisville Gardens in Louisville.
October 12 : Concert at the Spectrum in Philadelphia.
October 13 : Concert at the Rochester Community War Memorial in Rochester.
October 14 : Concert at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena in Pittsburgh
October 15 : Concert at the Saginaw Civic Center in Saginaw.
October 19 : Concert at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis.
October 20 : Concert at the Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis.
October 21 : Concert at the UD Arena in Dayton.
October 25 : Concert at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Columbus.
October 26 : Concert at the Onondaga County War Memorial in Syracuse.
October 27 : Concert at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo.
October 28 : Concert at the Springfield Civic Center in Springfield.
October 31 : Michael attends his friend Jane Fonda’s Halloween Disco Party at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.
November 1 : Concert at the Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo.
November 2 : Concert at the Chicago Stadium in Chicago.
November 3 : Concert at the Public Auditorium in Cleveland.
Epic releases the single “Rock With You”. It will peak at #1 on Hot 100 Billboard.
Rolling Stone Magazine refuses to put Michael on their cover!
November 4+5 : Concerts at the 1979 Detroit Cobo Arena in Detroit.
November 6 : Concert at the Baltimore Civic Center in Baltimore.
November 8 : Concert at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale (filmed for ABC’s 20/20 TV show that will air in January 1980). Backstage, Michael & The Jacksons are presented with gold record awards for Off The Wall’ album with CBS record executive Don Dempsey & Joe Jackson.
November 9 : Concert at the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Virginia.
November 10 : Concert at the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton.
November 11 : Concert at the Cumberland County Memorial Auditorium in Fayetteville.
November 14 : Concert at the Tarrant County Convention Center in Fort Worth.
November 15 : Concert at the Riverside Centroplex in Baton Rouge.
November 16 : Concert at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson.
November 17 : Concert at the Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles.
November 19 : Concert at the The Summit in Houston.
November 20 : Concert at the Municipal Auditorium in Columbus.
November 21 : Concert at the Greenville Memorial Auditorium in Greenville.
November 22 : Concert at the Savannah Civic Center in Savannah.
November 23 : Concert at the Macon Coliseum in Macon.
November 24 : Concert at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville.
November 25 : Concert at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta.
November 29 : Concert at the Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque.
November 30 : Concert at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver.
December 2 : Concert at the Honolulu International Center in Honolulu.
December 6 : Concert at the Memorial Coliseum in Portland.
December 8 : Concert at theSeattle Center Coliseum in Seattle.
December 9 : Concert at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, Canada.
December 13 : Concert at the United States Swing Auditorium in San Bernardino.
December 14 : Concert at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix.
December 15 : Concert at the Sports Arena in San Diego.
December 17 . Michael performs “Don’t Stop ‘Till You Get Enough” at the New Age club in Oakland, California. Taped for the Soul Beat Network.
December 18 + 19 : Concerts at the Forum in Inglewood. The whole Jackson family attends the concert. Backstage Michael is presented with multplatinum record awards for Off The Wall. After the concert, the Jacksons attend a party at Chasen’s restaurant in Beverly Hills.
December 21 : Last concert of the year at the Oracle Arena in Oakland.
1980
Michael spends several weeks in New Hampshire on the set of the movie “On Golden Pond” visiting his friend Jane Fonda and while there he forms friendships with the movie’s other stars Henry Fonda & Katherine Hepburn.
Bill Bray hires a new bodyguard names Wayne Nagin who will go on working for Michael until 2000!
John Branca becomes Michael’s attorney.
Michael films a series of TV commercials for Japanese motorbike “Suzuki” titled “Love Is My Message”.
January : Michael’s interview with Sylvia Chase from November 1979 is aired on ABC’s 20/20 and features live songs from the Destiny Tour (filmed at the Uniondale concert on November 8, 1979).
January 11+12+13 : The Jacksons perform the last 3 concerts of the Destiny World Tour at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu.
January 18 : Michael attends The American Music Awards in L.A where he is presented with three awards for “Off The Wall” and he presents one to the Bee Gees.
January 27 : Michael attends the NAACP Awards where The Jacksons receive the Image Award for best singing group of the year.
January 29 : Michael performs Rock With You & “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” at a UNICEF benefit concert organized by Jane Fonda for Cambodian relief at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillon at the Music Center in Los Angeles.
February 2 : Epic releases the single Off The Wall. It will peak at #10 on Hot 100 Billboard.
February 4 : Randy is seriously injured in a car crash in Hollywood, California. Katherine, Michael, Janet & LaToya visit him at the hospital. He almost looses a leg but after 6 months and 7 operations, he finally manages to walk again.
February 27 : Michael boycotts the Grammy Awards because Off The Wall was not nominated for best album of the year. He watches the ceremony at home with Katherine, Janet & LaToya. He wins his first Grammy but vows that his next album won’t be ignored…
March : Michael is on the cover of Melody Maker with an exclusive interview.
March 6 : Michael performs When You Wish Upon A Star and Ease On Down The Road in Disneyland for a Disney Channel Special celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Magic Kingdom.
April 19 : Epic releases “She’s Out Of My Life” the 4th single from Off The Wall. It will peak at #10 on Hot 100 Billboard. Michael shoots a video for the song directed by Bruce Gowers.
Michael becomes the first solo artist in to chart four top 10 singles from the same album!
May: Dave Mason’s album including the song Save Me featuring Michael on backing vocals is released.
July 16 : Epic releases the single “Girlfriend” (written by Paul Mac Cartney) only in the UK.
July 31 : Michael is on the cover of Jet magazine with LaToya.
August : “Love Lives Forever” by Minnie Riperton featuring I’m In Love Again in duet with Michael is released.
“Night Time Lover” by LaToya Jackson is released on Polydor. The song was written, composed and produced by Michael who also sings the background vocals. It’s the second single from her first album titled “LaToya Jackson”.
September 3 : In recognition of their contribution to music , The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honour The Jacksons with a Star on Hollywood Boulevard’s “Walk Of Fame”.
September 27 : Epic releases “Lovely One”, first single from the upcoming “Triumph” album. It will peak at #12 on Hot 100 Billboard.
October : Michael appears in Gentleman’s Quaterly with a minor interview.
“Hotter Than July” by Stevie Wonder featuring the song “All I Do” with backing vocals by Michael is released on Motown.
October 16 : Katherine, Randy & Janet attack Gina Sprague, Joe’s personal assistant at Joe Jackson Productions.
October 18 : Epic releases “Triumph”, the new album of The Jacksons. It will peak at #10 on Billboard 200.
December 5 : Epic releases “Heartbreak Hotel” 2nd single from the Triumph Album. It will peak at #22 on Hot 100 Billboard.
1981
Michael passes his driving licence. One day he’s arrested by a cop thinking he has stlolen his Rolls Royce and he is put in jail but a few hours later, Bill Bray comes to his rescue and Michael is released!
Michael consults the dermatologist Arnold Klein because he has a skin disesase called Vitiligo which depigmentates the color of his skin. He meets the nurse Debbie Rowe.
Michael does backing vocals on the song “Going Back To Alabama” by Kenny Rogers and on “The Dude”, an album by Quincy Jones.
January : The Jacksons win the NAACP Image Award for best singing group of the year.
January 30 : Michael attends the American Music Awards where he receives three awards for Off The Wall (one of them is presented by sister LaToya) and he also pays tribute to Chuck Berry. Diana Ross is his date for the evening.
February : Michael buys a condominium in Encino.
February 5 : During a Diana Ross concert in Los Angeles, Michael gets on stage to sing “Upside Down” with her!
March : Michael is on the cover of Jet Magazine.
Michael & the Jacksons attend a press conférence to announce the upcoming Triumph Tour.
March 2 : CBS airs a Diana Ross’s TV Special featuring Michael.
Together, they perform “Rock With You” & “Ease On Down The Road” (with Quincy Jones on the piano)
March 5 : Epic releases the single “Can You Feel It”. It will peak at #77 on Hot 100 Billboard. To accompany the song, a promotional short film titled “The Triumph” is released. It’s conceived, written & produced by Michael and contains amazing special effects.
March 25 : Motown releases the album & the single “One Day In Your Life” (with old material by Michael). Michael does not promote them in any ways.
March 31 : Michael attends the Academy Awards with Diana Ross and then they go to an after party where he meets and befriends actress Brooke Schields.
April : Michael does backing vocals on Carole Bayer Sager’s song “Just Friends” produced by Burt Bacharach & Michael.
April 4 : Michael appears on the cover of ’s NME which included an exclusive interview given to Danny Baker in Los Angeles.
May : Michael goes to East Sussex to stay with Paul & Linda McCartney. He records two songs for Paul’s upcoming solo album : “Say Say Say” & “The Man”.
June : The Jacksons rehearse for their upcoming Triumph Tour.
June 15: Epic releases the fourth and last single from The Triumph album titled “Walk Right Now”. It will peak at #73 on Hot 100 Billboard.
July 8 : The Jacksons kick off their Triumph Tour at the United States Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee.
July 10 : Concert at the City MCC Arena in Oklahoma.
July 11 : Concert at the Dallas Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
July 12 : Concert at the The Summit in Houston, Texas.
July 15 : Concert at the HemisFair Arena in San Antonio.
July 16 : The Jacksons attend a Circus in New Orleans.
July 17 : Concert at the Riverside Centroplex Arena in Baton Rouge.
July 18 : Concert at the Mobile Municipal Auditorium in Mobile.
July 22 : Concert at the Georgia, The Omni Coliseum in Atlanta for the Atlanta Children’s Health Foundation).
July 24 : Concert at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro.
July 25 : Concert at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte.
July 26 : Concert at the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton.
July 28 : Concert at the Lakeland Civic Center in Lakeland.
July 31 + August 1 : Concerts at the Landover Capital Centre in Washington D.C.
August 2 : Concert at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York.
August 4 : Concert at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Canada.
August 5 : Concert at the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Canada.
August 7 : Concert at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale.
August 8 : Concert at the Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati, Ohio.
August 9 : Concert at the The Coliseum in Richfield Township.
August 10 : Concert at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Columbus.
August 12 : Concert at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta.
August 14 : Concert at the Spectrum in Philadelphia.
August 15 : Concert at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford.
August 16 : Concert at the Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island.
August 18 + 19 : Concerts at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.
While in NYC, Michael visits Katherine Hepburn in her Manhattan home and she attends one of the Jacksons concert at the Madison Square Garden .
August 21 : Concert at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.
August 22 : Concert at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis.
August 23 : Concert at the UD Arena in Dayton.
August 26 : Concert at the MECCA Arena in Milwaukee.
August 28 : Concert at the Chicago Stadium in Chicago, Illinois.
August 29 : Concert at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
August 31 : Concert at the Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium in Nashville.
September 1 : Concert at the Kemper Arena in Kansas.
September 2 : Concert at the Checkerdome in St. Louis.
September 3 : Concert at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver.
September 4 : Concert at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
September 5 : Concert at the Chicago Stadium in Chicago.
September 7 : Concert at the Paradise Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas.
September 10 : Concert at the Cow Palace in Daly City
September 13 : Concert at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California.
September 15 : Concert at the ASU Activity Center in Tempe, Arizona.
September 16 : Concert at the San Diego Sports Arena in San Diego.
September 18 + 19 : Concerts at the The Forum in Inglewood.
September 22 : Concert at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California.
September 23 : Birth of Marlon Jackson Jr, third child of Marlon & Carol.
September 25 + 26 : Last concerts at the The Forum in Inglewood. The whole Jackson family attends the shows and many celebrities including Magic Johnson, Dick Clark, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones & Patti Austin.
October : The Jacksons are on the cover of Ebony magazine.
October 3 : Michael gives an interview to Randy Taraborrelli with Janet by his side.
October 16 : While at the Studio 55 in Los Angeles, Michael sings backing vocals on the song “Don’t Let A Woman Make A Fool Out Of You” by Joe Carrasco.
November 5 : Michael is on the cover of Jet Magazine in which he is voted most popular male entertainer.
November 11 : Epic releases The Jackson Live, the first live album the group recorded during the Triumph Tour. The live double album is culled from recordings made on the tour’s stops in Buffalo, New York, Providence, Rhode Island; Atlanta and New York City. The live album will go on to sell over two million copies worldwide.
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Next era : Thriller/Victory (1981-1984)
Jackson Dynasty 