Michael buys a new condominium in Century City nicknamed the “Hideout”.
Michael, Quincy Jones & Bruce Swedien start recording the “Bad” album at the Westlake Studio in Los Angeles. They select songs from the 65 demos recorded at the Hayvenhurst studio for the past two years. Michael, Quincy Jones & Bruce Swedien start recording the “Bad” album at the Westlake Studio in Los Angeles. They select songs from the 65 demos recorded at the Hayvenhurst studio for the past two years. The finished demos mixed and sent to Quincy Jones are : Smooth Criminal, Leave Me Alone, Price Of Fame, Speed Demon, I Just Can’t Stop Loving You, Come Together, Dirty Diana, Liberian Girl and Another Part Of Me. Quincy only works on three new songs : Bad, Man In The Mirror and Just Good Friends.
January 19 : Michael shoots a 4 minute commercial for Pepsi directed by Joe Pytka titled “The Chase”. The first version of “The Chase” featured a Pepsi version of the song “The Price Of Fame”. Later the song is replaced by a Pepsi version of “Bad”. The Chase premieres during the 1988 Grammy Awards broadcast on March, 1, 1988.
January 05 : At the Hayvenhurst studio, Bill Bottrell works on a Pepsi version of the song “Price Of Fame”.
January 06 : At the Hayvenhurst studio, Bill Bottrell works on a Pepsi version of the song “Price Of Fame” (spanish vocals).
January 09 : Michael attends the American Cinema Awards with Sophia Loren & Sylvester Stallone.
January 11 : At Westlake studios, Bill Bottrell works on the “Price Of Fame” Pepsi mix.
January 12 : At Westlake studios, Bill Bottrell records MJ background vocals for “Streetwalker”.
January 13 : At Westlake studios, Bill Bottrell records MJ background vocals for “Streetwalker” ans the lead vocals for “Dirty Diana”.
January 22 : After a meeting with Frank Dileo, Bill Bottrell is fired from the “Bad” project.
January 30 : Quincy Jones invites Siedah Garrett to his home with a group of other songwriters and ask them to write material for Jackson’s next album. Garrett takes the brief to Ballard, her writing partner, who begins playing a keyboard figure; Garrett writes the lyrics. The two record a demo of “Man In The Mirror” over the course of a week, with Garrett on vocals. Garrett deliver the tape to Jones, who calls back a few hours later to tell her he approves…
Late January : Michael shoots a new Pepsi commercial with a special version of the song “Bad”. During the filming he meets 9 years old actor Jimmy Safechuck.
February : Michael begins filming a short film for the song “Smooth Criminal” from his upcoming album. The short film is directed by Colin Chilvers on a story written by Michael. It features young actors Sean Lennon, Kellie Parker & Brandon Adams plus Joe Pesci and among the dancers, Lavelle Smith who will become Michael’s choreographer. “Smooth Criminal” is a part of the “Moonwalker” movie.
Mid February : Michael makes a surprise appearance at the CBS Records international marketing meeting in New York. He poses for a picture with Bunny Freidus, sen vice president of creative operations for CBS Records International; Bob Summer, president of CBS Records International; Jackson; Walter Yetnikof president of CBS/Records Group; and Frank DiLeo, Michael’s manager.
February 24 : During the Grammy Awards telecast, a 45 seconds teaser of the new Pepsi/Jackson commercial is broadcasted.
February 28 : Michael attends Elizabeth Taylor’s 55th Birthday Party at Burt Bacharach’s Home in Beverly Hills with Stevie Wonder & Carole Bayer Sager among others.
March 03 : Michael films a scene from the “Smooth Criminal” short film.
March 10 : MJ replies to a letter from Jimmy Safechuck ans reveals him that he is working a new video for his album and is “very busy”.
March 17 : Hazel gives birth to Jermaine’s son, Jaimy Jackson.
March 31 : Filming of the “playing with the kids” scene of Smooth Criminal.
April : Michael withdraws from The Jeovah’s Witness.
April 20 : Steve Stevens records his “Dirty Diana” guitar solo. He poses for pictures with Michael & Quincy in the studio.
April 24 : Michael signs a sponsoring contract for his forthcoming Japan Tour in Los Angeles. The Michael Jackson 1987 Japan Tour is held as an “event commemorating the 35th anniversary of NTV’s opening”.
May : Michael and Quincy record the last songs of the “Bad” album : “Just Good Friends” with Stevie Wonder, “Man In The Mirror” with Siedah Garrett and “I Just Can”t Stop Loving You” with Siedah Garrett.
The media report that Michael wants to purchase the bones of Elephant Man.
Michael’s first solo world tour is announced to begin next September in Japon.
May 5 : Filming of the “Smooth Criminal” break scene at the Culver Studios.
May 18 : The Jehovah’s Witness headquarters in Brooklyn, NY, issue the statement that they “no longer considered Michael Jackson to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses,” by mutual agreement.
May 26 : Michael records “Just Good Friends” with Stevie Wonder in Los Angeles.
June 29 : Frank DiLeo holds a press conference in Tokyo to announce that Michael will embark on his first concert tour as a solo artist in September in Japan. It marks his first concerts since the Victory Tour in 1984 which he performed with his brothers as the Jacksons. DiLeo said the tour will start with a Japanese leg because of the country’s loyal fans. In a written statement, Michael, who is completing his “Bad” album in Los Angeles, promises “thrilling and exciting” concerts. Pepsi is sponsoring the tour.
July 2 : Michael’s first offer to buy the Sycamore Valley Ranch is sent (and rejected.)
July 9 : Michael, Quincy & Bruce complete the mixing of the Bad album.
July 13 : 25 CBS Records executives and representatives are invited to a dinner party at Hayvenhurst where they are treated with a preview of the Bad album and the Bad short film.
Epic announces that the Bad album has been completed and will be released on August 31.
July 15 : Radio 1 premieres I Just Can’t Stop Loving You, the first single from the Bad Album.
July 20 : The single “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” is released worldwide. It will peak at #1 on Hot 100 Billboard. Michael does not shoot a video for this song.
August : Michael rehearses for the Bad World Tour at Universal Studio a Universal Studio and at The Culver Studios in Culver City, California. He records the intro for “Heartbreak Hotel” at his Hayvenhurst home studio with his new background singer Darryl Phinnessee.
August 20 : Jackie & Enid are officicially divorced. Enid has custody of Siggy & Brandi.
August 31 : The album “Bad” is released worldwide.
The “Bad” short film is world premiered on the CBS TV Special “Michael Jackson : The Magic Returns”.
September: Michael hires Bob Jones, vice-president of MJJ Productions.
Michael’s Pepsi commercial featuring “Bad” is premiered.
Michael is on the cover of Ebony and Jet magazines.
September 1 : Michael gives his first interview in years to Ebony/Jet’s journalist Darryl Dennard at the Brooklyn Museum in Brooklyn, New York.
September 06 : Michael shoots the “The Way You Make Me Feel” short film in Los Angeles directed by Joe Pytka, choreographed by Vincent Paterson and featuring Tatiana Thumbtzen & Latoya!
September 7 : The single “Bad” is released. It will peak at #1 on Hot 100 Billboard.
September 9 : Michael arrives in Tokyo (Japon) with pet chimp Bubbles, Katherine & Joe, LaToya & her manager Jack Gordon, Quincy Jones, Frank Dileo, Karen Faye, Michael Bush, Bill Bray, Wayne Nagin, Donny Osmond ect… Over 600 journalists, cameramen and fans wait for Michael’s arrival at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport. MJ stays at the Capitol Hotel.
September 10 : Michael visits Korakuen Amusement Park .
September 11 : Michael visits Disneyland Tokyo.
September 12+13+14 : Michael kicks off his first solo tour at the Korakuen stadium in Tokyo. Michael dedicates his concerts to murdered Japanese boy Yoshiaki Hagiwara, a five year old boy, who was kidnapped and murdered while Michael was touring in Japan.
While in Tokyo, Michael gives an interview to Mollie Meldrum for 60 Minutes Australia. Mollie had interviewed Michael ten years earlier in 1977.
September 15 : Michael is spotted sightseeing and shopping in Tokyo.
September 16 : Michael records his vocals for his duet ‘Get It’ with Stevie Wonder at Sony’s CBS Studio in Tokyo, Japan, with Bruce Swedien, Quincy Jones, and Christine Snider-Decroix.
September 17 : Michael takes the Shinkansen, Japan’s high-speed train, from Tokyo to Osaka.
September 18 : At the Osaka City Hall, Michael is presented the key to the city by Mayor Oshima at a formal tea ceremony and in the presence of Bubbles!
September 19+20+21 : Concerts at the Hankyu Nishinomiya stadium in Nishinomiya. Michael learns of the tragic story of Yoshiaki Ogiwara, a five-year-old boy who had been kidnapped and killed. Michael donates $20,000 to the boy’s family and dedicates his Japanese shows to his legacy.
September 24 : Michael visits Isao Tomita, a pioneering Japanese composer and electronic music producer, considered one of the fathers of synth-based classical music arrangements.
September 25+26+27 : Concerts at the Yokohoma stadium in Yokohama. .
September 26 : Ebony/Jet showcases an interview of Michael by Darryl Dennard.
September 28 : Back in Tokyo, a photoshoot is organized for Michael at the famous Ginza intersection. However, the madness of the fans will prevent it from being carried out to its conclusion.
September 29 : Michael visits Disneyland in Tokyo to view the screening of his 3-D film, Captain EO. The attraction was opened on March 20, 1987.
September 30 : Michael visits the Nagatacho Elementary School in Tokyo.
October : Hazel files for divorce and Jermaine introduces Margaret to the family.
Janet leaves Hayvenhurst to move in with her boyfriend Rene Elizondo Jr.
October 3+4 : Concerts at the Yokohoma stadium in Yokohoma.
October 7 : Michael arrives in Osaka by train from Tokyo. The three concerts are scheduled to take place on October 8, 9, and 10. However, the day after his arrival, Michael feels ill and had to postpone the first two concerts to October 11 and 12. These would ultimately be the last concerts of the 1987 Japanese tour.
October 10+11+12 : Concerts at the Osaka stadium in Osaka .
Michael is on the cover of People with a hand-written message from Michael.
October 13 : Michael visits a castle in Osaka.
October 15 : Back in Tokyo, Michael visits the Nissan Motor factory in Oppama close to Yokosuka in Kanagawa disctrit (Baie de Tokyo) then he has dinner at Shiosai restaurant at the Otowa hotel no mori in Hayama.
October 16 : Michael visits the CBS Sony Studios Roppongi and then he goes to Yomiuri Land, an amusement park. Michael meets the Japanese illustrator, Mutsumi Inomata and they pose for a picture.
October 18 : Michael donates his jacket used in his Japan tour for a charity auction in Tokyo, Japan (he poses for pictures with the jacket).
October 19 : After 41 days in Japan to launch his first solo world tour, Michael leaves the country to Narita airport at 10:22 am from the flight JAL731 to Hong Kong.
October 23 : Michael arrives at Gongbei Port, the main customs access point for entering China from Hong Kong, which sees millions of travelers pass through each year. Gongbei is also the closest port to Macau, a region of China with a somewhat special status, located right next to it. The journey from Hong Kong to Gongbei is made by ferry and takes approximately seventy minutes. Michael spends a day in Zhongshan in the province of Guangdong, south of China. In Yongmo, a village near the city of Sanxiang in the Zhongshan metropolitan area, Michael decides to meet with the locals in the morning. Michael wanders through the old streets for barely an hour, took photos with children, and greets the villagers with a smile. In the afternoon, Michael goes to Cuiheng Village, about eighteen kilometers southeast of Zhongshan, near the town of Nanlang. Michael first visits the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum, established in 1956, which includes, among other things, his former residence and the Memorial Hall.
October 24 : Michael spends the day in Ocean Park with Karen and “Dr Penguin”. At nightfall, Michael takes advantage of the empty streets of Old Hong Kong to take photos near traditional shops. Old Street is the main street in this part of Aqua City (The Waterfront section), which recreates the Hong Kong of the 1950s to 1970s.
October 31 : MTV premieres the “The Way You Make Me Feel” short film.
November 04 : Michael does a costume photoshoot at Shaw Brothers studio in Hong Kong. The same day, Michael is presented with a souvenir TV tube from singer Liza Wang on behalf of tvb on the Hong Kong film set.
November 9 : “The Way You Make Me Feel” is released as the 3rd single from “Bad” It will peak at #1 on Hot 100 Billboard
November 10 : Michael flies from Hong Kong to Sydney.
November 11 : Michael arrives in Sydney and takes an onward flight to Melbourne.
November 12 : Michael visits the Royal Children’s Hospital, the main pediatric hospital in the city and the state of Victoria (where Melbourne is located). There, he meet four-year-old Angela Darlington and her mother, Helen.
November 13 : Concert at the Olympic Park stadium in Melbourne.
Michael calls a 5 years old boy named Brett Barnes on the phone after Brett’s family sent him a letter. They will remain friends until the end of his life.
November 16 : Michael visits Taronga Park Zoo in Sydney, Australia.
November 18 : Michael goes to the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick, Australia to give gifts to children, sign autographs and chat with families.
November 19 : “Michael Jackson tonight listened to the Choir from Turramurra High School as they sand for him at the Regent Hotel. Jackson also talked with children from the Camperdown Childrens Hospital.”
November 20+21 : Concerts at the Parramatta stadium in Sydney.
November 22 : Michael poses for pictures with a baby at Murawina Preschool in Redfern, outside Sydney. The same day he does a photoshoot with kids by Sam Emerson.
November 24 : Michael arrives in Brisbane, Australia. He is welcomed by Mascot Expo Oz.
November 27+28+29 : Concerts at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Brisbane.
November 28 : Stevie Wonder joins MJ on stage and they perform “Bad” together. After winning a dance contest, five years old Wade Robson gets to dance on stage with Michael & Stevie Wonder during the song “Bad”.
November 30 : Michael flies back home from Brisbane to Los Angeles.
December : Michael invites Jimmy Safechuck and his family at have dinner at Hayvenhurst and they all become friends. Later Michael visits Jimmy Safechuck and his family in L.A.
The five-minute music video for Dirty Diana is filmed in Long Beach (California). It’s directed by Joe Pytka and produced by Angela Jones.
December 11 : Michael attends the wedding oh his attorney John Branca to Julie McArthur. He arrives at the service with Bubbles!
December 15 : “Get It” a duet between Stevie Wonder & Michael is sent to US radio stations.
December 18 : Michael makes a deal proposal of $17 million to buy Sycamore Valley Ranch which what will become Neverland Ranch the following year. From the 2011 book by Gloria Rhoads Berlin ( here in picture with Michael ) “In search of Neverland”, chapter 6- “Let’s make a deal” : “Finally, on December 18, 1987, we made an offer of $ 17 million for the ranch and it turned out to be a success. Mr. Branca, who had always made all contracts on behalf of Michael Jackson, began preparing all documents and finalized negotiations in late December 1987.
December 22 + 23 : Michael is filming the “Leave Me Alone” short film as part of the “Moonwalker” movie.
Jackson Dynasty 