Michael becomes friend with Paul MacCartney & Gregory Peck.
Michael perform Different Kind Of Lady and Greatest Love Of All during Hal Jackson’s Talented Teen International at the Coconut Grove in Los Angeles. Harrisonburg High School English teacher Melody Wilson : “‘Michael was actually a judge when I competed and Jermaine was the host […] .I never really got to meet Michael until the year that I gave up my crown”. TheTalented Teen’s International Scholarship competition would “allow minority young women an opportunity to display their talents before the world, an opportunity denied them”.
January 18 : Michael, James Earl Jones & Diana Ross attend the opening night of the play ‘Robeson’ at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater in New York City.
January 22-May 18: The Jacksons embark on a world tour in the US & Europe to promote the Goin Places album.
January 22 : first concert, place unknown.
February: The single “Find Me a Girl” is released by Epic.
February 19 : Concert at the Newcastle City Hall in Newcastle, England
February 24+25 : Concerts in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
February 26 : Concert in San Fernando, Trinida and Tobago.
March 3 : Concert in Oakland, California.
March 12 : Michael, LaToya and Janet attend the first Rock N Roll Sports Classic at the University of California in Irvine. The event airs later on May 3, 1978.
May 3 : Concert in Oakland.
May 13 : Concert at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
May 18 : Concert in Nashville.
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!
November 18 : Billnoard magazine’s issue on The Jacksons 10th Anniversary with interviews of The Jacksons and their entourage.
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.
The Jacksons sign a contract with Dr Pepper. They record “Be A Pepper”, a one minute version of “Blame It On The Boogie” with lyrics about the Dr Pepper drink. The song is used for radio and TV commercials in 1979 and eventually released on 1995 (25 Years of Dr Pepper Music).
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).
Jackson Dynasty 