Author: Fred Colby

Katherine & Joe purchase a six-bedroom house in Las Vegas for 292 000 dollars.

Michael becomes friend with Deepak Choprah.

Janet launches her own production company named JDJ Entertainment.

January : Jermaine, Margaret & Jeremy moves into Hayvenhurst (in Janet’s bedroom).

Some time later, Latoya leaves Hayvenhurst and goes to New York City with her manager Jack Gordon to work on her new album and upcoming concert in Atlantic City.

Latoya becomes national spokeswoman for Nancy Reagan’s ‘Just Say No’ anti-drug campaign.

Michael visits Siegfried &  Roy at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas .

Michael shoots the “Speed Demon” short film which is a part of the “Moonwalker” movie.

January 09 : Michael completes the filming of the “Leave Me Alone” short film.

January 22 : Rebbie and her son Austin attend Tyson vs Holmes Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Late January/Early February : Michael takes Jimmy Safechuck and his family to Honolulu. They stay at Kahala Hilton Hotel for three days and they attend Pepsi Bottler’s Convention. Michael also takes them to Disneyworld in Orlando (Florida).

January 24 : A Day I Will Never Forget by Denise Darval-Chang “I, along with three friends, met Michael Jackson on Jan. 24, 1988, at the Kahala Resort, where a friend worked. We had just finished paddling and were enjoying a barbecue when my friend mentioned that Michael Jackson was scheduled for a ‘sunset’ sail. “We decided to go to the hotel. It was a windy day and not good conditions for a catamaran sail. “After about 15 minutes, lo and behold, Michael Jackson appeared walking down to the beach with a young boy and a Caucasian woman. “We ran up to him, and he asked, ‘Are you the lifeguards?’ We were not lifeguards, but we were so excited we just replied, ‘Yes.’ “I asked her who the boy was. She said he was from the Make-a-Wish Foundation. The lady I handed the camera to, I was later told, was actress Teri Garr! Her top films include ‘Tootsie,’ ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’ and ‘Young Frankenstein.’ They were in Hawaii for a Pepsi convention, as was Michael J. Fox.

January 30 : Katherine, Joe, Janet & Rene attend the American Cinema Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California where Janet is presented with an award.

February : ABC News : ‘Artist David Nordahl was at home painting in February 1988 when the phone rang at midnight. A voice said, “This is Michael Jackson.”

Rebbie performs at the Park West in Chicago, Illinois.

February 5-18 : Rehearsals for the Bad Tour second leg take place at the Pensacola Civic Center in Pensacola (Florida).

Michael invites Jimmy Safechuck and his parents to stay with him.

February 6 : “Man In The Mirror” is released as the 4th single from “Bad” along with a video in which Michael does not appear. It will peak at #1 on Hot 100 Billboard.

February 8 : In a pre recorded video from the set of the “Speed Demon” short film in Los Angeles, Michael accepts the Brit Award for best international artist of 1987.

February 10 : Filming of “Baby Bad”, a parody of the “Bad” short film featuring children filling the roles of various people from the original clip. The video stars Brandon Quintin Adams (who also appears in the “Smooth Criminal” short film) as the young Michael Jackson. It also featurs three of Michael’s nephews Jermaine Jackson Jr. along with TJ and Taryll Jackson and a young Nikki Cox. The singing group the Boys appear as background dancers. Ingrid Dupree of the Kidsongs kids also appear in this segment. This video is part of the Moonwalker movie.

February 17 : Mary Hart from Entertainment Tonight visits Michael during dress rehearsals of the Bad Tour at the Pensacola Civic Center in Pensacola (Florida). Michael Michael gives a short interview to Mary and accepts to be filmed while rehearsing with his band and dancers.

February 18 : On the last day of dress rehearsals, Michael allows 420 school pupils to watch him rehearse. The full show is rehearsed and taped.

February 23+24 : Michael kicks off the US leg of the Bad Tour at the Kemper arena in Kansas City (Missouri).

February 28 : Purchase and Purchase Agreement for and the sale of the Sycamore Valley Ranch is signed.

Late February : Michael arrives in NYC.

March 1 : In NYC, Michael attends a press conference arranged by Pepsi to preview “The Chase” a new Pepsi commercials featuring Michael (a four part story). Michael also presents United Negro College Fund’s President and CEO, Christopher Edley a check for 600,000 dollars, the entire grossings from his private sold-out benefit concert held at Madison Square Garden.

March 2 : At the 30th Grammy Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York , Michael fails to win any awards for “Bad”. He makes an amazing performance of “The Way You Make Me Feel” & “Man In The Mirror” and gets a standing ovation from the whole industry. During the telecast, “The Chase” is premiered.

March 3 : Michael gives a benefit concert at Madison Square Garden in NYC for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). An original Michael Jackson UNCF private concert ticket and official souvenir program from the Bad World Tour are printed for the occasion.

Tatiana Thumbtzen replaces Sheril Crow on “The Way You Make Me Feel” and kisses Michael on the mouth! Siedah Garrett sings I Just Can’t Stop Loving You with Michael & Steve Stevens plays electric guitar on Dirty Diana! Among celebrities guests are Brooke Schields, Quincy Jones, Prince, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Madonna, New York City Mayor and the Jackson family (including Katherine, Rebbie, Janet and La Toya). Backstage, La Toya introduces Donald Trump to MJ.

Michael invites Dominic, Connie, Frank & Eddie Cascio to the concerts and he spends time with them at the Hemsley Palace.

March 5 : Second concert at the Madison Square Garden.

March 6 : Third concert at the Madison Square Garden.

March 9 : Michael attends a performance of “The Phantom Of The Opera” with Jimmy Safechuck, his mother & Liza Minnelli in NYC.

March 10 : Michael is honoured by the United Negro Colege Fund as one of their highest contributors at the 44th annual anniversary dinner held at the Sheraton Hotel in NYC. Katherine, Joe, Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston, Yoko Ono, Elizabeth Taylor & Liza Minnelli attend the event. In presenting him the coveted Frederick D. Patterson Award, named for the former Tuskegee Institute (now University) president who founded the UNCF in 1944, Dr. Mabel McLean, president of Barber Scotia College in Concord, N.C., and then chair of the presidents of UNCF member in-stitutions, told Jackson: “Through your efforts to increase knowledge, to combat hunger, to aid terminally ill children, to inspire youth, you have shown the world that caring, sharing and dart”

March 12 : The US cable network Showtime airs “Motown On Showtime : Michael Jackson… The Legend Continues”. The special is produced by Suzanne DePasse with Burl Hechtman serving as a supervising producer as well as Michael Jackson himself as executive producer. It features never before seen footage of the Bad World Tour 1987 + new interviews of Michael’s family and friends (Marlon Jackson, Suzanne DePasse, Quincy Jones, Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Katherine Hepburn, Yoko Ono etc..) + a glimpse inside Hayvenhurst. It was widely praised and won a Cable Ace Award for Outstanding Editing in a Musical Special. It’s 1989 home video release in the USA was #1 on the Billboard Top Video Chart for six weeks and 2 weeks at #1 on the Top Music Video Chart, where it pushed MJ’s other home video, Moonwalker (released that past January) out of the top spot.

March 12 : US cable network Showtime airs Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues.

Michael postpones tonight’s concert in St Louis (Missouri) to March 14 because he suffers from a cold.

March 13 : Concerts at the St Louis arena in St Louis (Missouri).

March 14 : Laryngitis Forces Singer to Skip Performance

ST. LOUIS (AP) _ Pop singer Michael Jackson canceled a performance at the 18,000-seat Arena, the second time in 72 hours illness forced him to skip a scheduled concert on his 13-city tour. “It’s been a tough past three days. Michael Jackson is not known as ’no- show,” Arena manager Roger Dixon said Monday. “He’s always been known to give it his all (but) he’s only human. This just proves it.” Monday night’s show by Jackson, whose tour started Feb. 24 in Kansas City and has taken him to New York City, orginally had been scheduled for Saturday night. Jackson performed Sunday night as scheduled before about 19,000 at the Arena despite suffering from a cold. Dixon said he had been notified by the singer’s promotion company, TCC Productions of Encino, Calif,, that Jackson’s illness progressed Monday to laryngitis.

March 18+19 : Concerts at the Market Square arena in Indianapolis (Indiana).

March 19 : Originally named Zaca Laderas Ranch, the estate is renamed Sycamore Valley Ranch shortly after it was purchased by property developer William Bone in 1981, the ranch is sold today to Michael Jackson for $ 18 million who renames it after Neverland Ranch.

March 20 : Concert at the Freedom Hall in Louisville (Kentucky).

Michael is on the cover of Jet Magazine.

March 21 : Michael arrives in Denver (Colorado).

March 22 : MJ visits the Ramses exhibition in Denver. ABC News 2009 : “Nordahl’s Jackson period began after the singer invited him to the Denver stop of the Bad tour in March 1988. “I didn’t know what to expect,” Nordahl says. “He was sweet. We went to galleries, bookstores and a private showing of the King Tut exhibit. We sat around and laughed and talked and drew.”

March 24+25+26 : Concerts at the McNichols Sports arena in in Denver (Colorado)

March 27 : The single “You’re Gonna Get Rocked!” is  released throughout the U.S., Europe, and Canada. It will peak at #103, barely missing the Billboard Hot 100. Latoya shoots a music video for this song.

March 29 : LaToya gives her very first full concert at Donald Trump’s Castle Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City before a sold-out audience.

Katherine, Rebbie, Janet & Rene attend the performance and visit her backstage with Donald Trump.

While in New Jersey, Janet & Rene have dinner with LaToya & Jack at the Cascio family restaurant and they all pose for a picture with Dominic & Connie Cascio.

March 30+31 + April 1 : Concerts at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford ( Connecticut ).

April : Michael & Katherine go to Gary where they visit their former neighnor Marie Gunn and pose for pictures with her. They also visit Katherine’s father, Prince Scruse and wife at their Indiana Harbour home.

Rebbie performs at the Eagles Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

MIchael Jackson: The Legend Continues” was a 1988 television special that aired on Showtime in April 1988 as part of the “Motown on Showtime” series.

The special, produced by Suzanne DePasse with Burl Hechtman serving as a supervising producer as well as Michael Jackson himself as executive producer, was widely praised and won a Cable Ace Award for Outstanding Editing in a Musical Special. It’s 1989 home video release in the USA was #1 on the Billboard Top Video Chart for six weeks and 2 weeks at #1 on the Top Music Video Chart, where it pushed MJ’s other home video, Moonwalker (released that past January) out of the top spot

April 8+9+10 : Concerts at the Summit in Houston (Texas).

April 11 : John Branca and Marshall Gelfand sign individual grant deeds turning over the Sycamore Valley Ranch to MJ.

April 13+14+15 : Concerts at the Omni Colisuem in Atlanta. Rebbie Jackson attends one of the concerts and she poses for pictures with MJ backsage.

Twenty years, almost to the day, after Reverend Martin Luther King’s assassination, a quiet memorial ceremony is held with Michael Jackson near Martin Luther King’s gravesite.

April 14 : The video for “Dirty Diana” is premiered on MTV.

April 18 : “Dirty Diana” is released as the 5th single from “Bad”. It will peak at #1 on Hot 100 Billboard (5th consecutive number 1!)

April 19+20+21 : Concerts at the Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont (northwest of Chicago) where Michael is presented with the keys to the city by mayor Eugene Sawyer.

April 20 : “Moonwalk”, Michael’s long awaited autobiography is published by Doubleday and soon becomes a best seller.

April 22 : Chicago Tribune (April 26, 1988) : “Michael Jackson and an entourage of about 12 people arrived in two vans and spent an hour and a half in Goodies on North Halsted Friday in what turned out to be the start of a heavy-duty shopping weekend. Michael and the young dancer who’s in his Pepsi commercials and his stage show had some ice cream at the soda fountain and bought gag gifts, Peter Pan toys, rub-on tattoos and some Michael Jackson Colorforms. He also had his picture taken in the photo booth with owner Ted Frankel, who had the shots blown up to poster size within a day.”

April 23 : Chicago Tribune (April 26, 1988) : “Wayne Banchik, owner of the Nostalgia Shop at 534 N. Clark St., didn’t get a picture, but he got Michael’s autograph when he stopped Saturday afternoon (again with a group of a dozen or so). Jackson, who Banchik says is very knowledgeable about American illustrators, bought some vintage magazines and said he’d like to come back to see some Walt Disney memorabilia. He turned down a vintage advertising button for Coke, bought one for Pepsi.”

April 24 : Chicago Tribune (April 26, 1988) : “The folks at F.A.O. Schwarz in Water Tower had warning that M.J. would come by at noon on Sunday, so they opened a little later than usual. After 20 minutes, Michael and the shopping crew left with a life-size Steiff lion and two lifelike Himsted dolls. They created such a commotion when they arrived that they left by the back way.”

April 25+26+27 : Concerts  at the Reunion arena in Dallas (Texas)

May 4+5+6 : Concerts at the Met Center in Minneapolis (Minnessota) which end the first leg of the tour. Prince attends the concerts. He meets Michael backstage ans later he invites him to Paisley Park for a private time (Paisley Park is a 65,000 square foot estate in Chanhassen, Minnesota).

May 5 : “Get It”, the duet between Michael & Stevie Wonder tis released. Michael does not shoot a video.

Mid May : Michael moves out of Hayvenhurst to his recently purchased ranch in the Santa Ynez Vallez Neverland Valley Ranch.

Michael invites Jonathan Spence to visit Neverland.

May 16 : Michael is on the cover of Jet magazine.

May 18 : Michael’s movie “Moonwalker” is previewed at the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. Michael does not attend the preview.

May 19 : Michael arrives in Rome, Italy with Bob Jones, Bill Bray and Jimmy Safechuch. They stay at the Lord Byron Hotel. Michael attends a reception held in his honor at American Embassy, Villa Taverna, a lovely 8-acre estate with beautiful gardens. It’s hosted by Ambassador and Mrs. Max Rabb and Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, Federico Fellini and Franco Zefferelli are among the guests.

May 20 : Michael & Sam Emerson make a photoshoot at Villa Taverna garden.

May 21 : Michael visits the Sistine Chapel in the accompanied by US Ambassador Maxwell Rabb.

May 22 : Michael rehearses for his upcoming concert in Rome.

May 23 : The director of the Suzuki Race Team Gary Taylor gives Michael a Suzuki RG 500 motorcycle when he found out that Michael loved that motorcycle. Michael poses for pictures with the engine in front of the Lord Byron hotel in Rome.

Michael visits children who suffered from cancer in the Bambino-Gesu Children’s Hospital in Rome. He signs autographs and gives away sweets and records to the children. He also donates a ₤ 100,000 for leukemia research.

Michael kicks off the European leg of the Bad Tour at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome. After the concert, CBS Records International hosts a sumptuous sit-down buffet for 500 guests at the 16th Century Palazzo Taverna where Michael makes a brief appearance greeted by guests Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida Federico Fellini & Georgio Armani.

May 24 : Second concert in Rome .

May 25 : Michael is the guest of honour at a party held at the house of film director Franco Zeffirelli.

May 27 : Leaving Rome, Michael and his entourage drive to Florence where Michael enjoys the historic beauty of the city and visits the museum to see Michelangelo’s masterpiece sculpture of “David.” Then, they go to Turin.

May 29 : Concert at the Stadio Olimpico di Turino in Turin, Italy.

May 30 : Michael and his entourage arrive in Vienna, Austria. During his stay in Vienna, MJ came up with the idea for Earth Song.

Captain EO Backstage’ is aired in USA. The TV special produced by MKD Productions, directed by Muffett Kaufman and hosted by Whoopi Goldberg,goes behind the scenes of Captain EO, showing dance rehearsals, make-up, special effects etc.

June : Michael is on the cover of Ebony magazine.

“Michael Jackson : The Legend Continues” is released on home video.

June 01 : Michael visits the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna.

June 02 : Concert at the Praterstadion in Vienna, Austria.

June 05 : Before his concert in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Michael donates a cheque for $125,000 to The Dutch National Education & Vacation Fund. The organisation raises funds for development of young people in society. Michael Jackson is présented with an Award for CD: “Bad” from Ruud Röben (CBS Records), just before his concert at the Feijenoord Stadium, Rotterdam.

First concert at the Feijenoord stadium in Rotterdam, Holland.

June 06 : Second concert at the Feijenoord stadium in Rotterdam, Holland.

June 07 : Second concert at the Feijenoord stadium in Rotterdam, Holland.

June 10 : Michael takes his staff to Liseberg Park in Gothenburg. They spend the day riding roller coasters & having fun. Michael leaves his signature and hand print in concrete and offers the staff 100 tickets to his concert.

LaToya performs at Businessman Donald Trumps 42 Birthday Celebration at Trump Plaza Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

June 11 :  First concert in Gothenburg, Sweden. Eriksberg, is actually a shipyard converted to a stadium for the two shows, with an attendance of 55,000 each. It is accessible only by ferry and the first night 150 small boats jockeyed for position to hear the concert. The occasion is also special in that Michael got to see Ragni Lantz Griffin (former wife of my predecessor at Motown, Junius Griffin, and At the urging of Gladys Knight, Ragni was present at the Gary talent show where The Jackson Five first came to the attention of the label. She later attended the group’s first Hollywood engagement at the Daisy. A touching reunion to say the least!

Backstage before the concert, Michael is presented with the Rockbjörnen Award.

June 12 : Second concert in Gothenburg, Sweden.

June 13 : Michael and his entourage arrive in Geneva, Switzerland. They stay here for three days.

June 14 : LaToya and Lisa Hartman attend Donald Trump’s 42nd Birthday Celebration at Trump’s Castle Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

June 16 : Concert at the St Jakob Stadium in Basel, Switzerland, attended by Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Reggie Theus & Bob Dylan.

June 17 : While in Basel , Michael meets the Charlie Chaplin family at The Manoir de Ban, a manor house located at Corsier-sur-Vevey on the banks of Lake Geneva in Switzerland.

June 18 : Michael & Bill Bray visit the Berlin Zoo in Berlin, Germany (MJ wears a wig, fake moustache and a hat).

June 19 : Concert at the Reichstag Grounds in Berlin, Germany. Bob Jones : “As widely reported in the American media, we played The Wall, which symbolically and literally divides this historic city. A wildly enthusiastic crowd estimated between 45-50,000 watched Michael’s performance, while the East Germans staged a ‘competing’ show hosted by Olympic figure skating Gold Medalist Caterina Witt and headlined by Bryan Adams. But that didn’t stop 3,000 highly vocal Michael Jackson fans across The Wall in East Berlin from protesting their government’s refusal to let them see their idol. We were moved, saddened and eternally grateful to be citizens of a democratic society.”

June 23 : Michael arrives in Paris and checks in the Crillon Palace.

June 24 : Michael goes shopping at the « Nain Bleu » toy store in Paris.

June 25 : Michael invites Jimmy Safechuck and his parents to join him on tour for a few weeks. They check in the Crillon Palace.

June 26 : Michael has the famous Louvre Museum opened for a private visit of about an hour. Contrary to what was said at the time, he showed little interest in Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, but specifically requested to see three particular works: Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss, a 1793 marble sculpture by the Italian sculptor Antonio Canova (Denon Wing, ground floor, Michelangelo Gallery, Room 4), Endymion, Moonlight Effect (also known as The Sleep of Endymion) by Anne-Louis Girodet (Denon Wing, 1st floor, Daru, Room 75), and Saint Sebastian by the Italian Guido Reni (Sully Wing, 1st floor, Pavillon de l’Horloge, Room 3, Chapel Room).

June 27 : First concert at the Parc des Princes in Paris attended by Grace Jones, Albertine Bongo (daughter of the President of Gabon, a former French African colony), Regine and Johnny Halliday among others.

June 28 : Paris mayor Jacques Chirac presents Michael with ‘La Grande Médaille de la Ville de Paris’ which is an honor usually reserved for heads of state.

Second concert at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

July 1 : Concert at the Volksparkstadion in Hambourg, Germany.

July 2 : Michael and an entourage of about 100 people (the whole tour crew) visit Phantasialand in Brühl near Cologne. Among them the Safechuck family.

LaToya is a guest on german TV show ARD-Show “Die verflixte 7”, in Wuppertal, Germany.

July 3 : Concert at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne, Germany.

July 8 : Concert at the Olympiastadion in Munich, Germany.

July 10 : Concert at the Hockenheimring in Hockenheim, Germany.

July 11 : “Another Part Of Me” is released as the 6th single from “Bad”. It will peak at #11 on Hot 100 Billboard

Michael arrives in London.

July 12 : “R U Tuff Enuff”, Rebbie’s third album is released by Columbia. The single “Plaything” peaks at number eight on the Billboard R&B charts.

July 13 : Michael visits sick children at the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London .

July 14+15+16+22+23 : Michael performs 5 concerts at the Wembley stadium in London attended by Jack Nicholson, George Lucas, Harrison Ford & Jane Seymour among others.

July 16 : Prince Charles Princess Diana attend the third Wembley concert. Michael meets the Royal couple backstage to present with a £150 000 cheque to the Prince’s Trust and another £100 000 cheque to the Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital.

July 18 : Michael & Jimmy Safechuck visit Elstree Studios where Steven Spielberg is directing “Indiana Jones” and they both meet Harrison Ford.

July 20 : Micheal visits sick children again at the Great Ormond Street Hospital .

In the evening, a banquet is held in his honour at the Guildhall.

July 22 : Mickey Mouse & Donald Duck present Michael with a pair of specially engraved ice skates backstage before his fourth concert in Wembley.

July 23 : Michael is on the cover of Hello magazine.

July 26 : Concert at the Cardiff Arms Park in Cardif, Wales.

July 30+31 : Concerts at the Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork, Ireland.

The live video of “Another Part Of Me” is premiered.

August 3 : Michael arrives at Los Monteros Hotel, Marbella, Spain, to prepare for his first-ever Spanish concert, as part of his Bad World Tour.

August 5 : Michael performs at the Municipal Stadium in Marbella, Spain, to an audience of 28,000. It’s his first concert in Spain.

August 7 : Concert at the Vicente Calderón Stadium in Madrid, Spain. Michael is presented with a quadruple Platinum Award for BAD before his concert.

August 8 : Michael Is on the cover of Jet magazine.

August 9 : Concert at the Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain. Jimmy Safechuck gets onstage with MJ during “Bad”.

August 10 : Michael arrive in Nice, France with Jimmy Safechuck. He stays at the Negresco Hotel and goes out very little during his few days on the Côte d’Azur.

August 12 : Concert at the Stade Richter in Montpellier, France.

August 13 : Michael attends Sammy Davis Jr concert at the Salle des Étoiles Sporting Club in Monte-Carlo, Monaco and gets onstage with him.

August 14 : Concert at the Stade Charles-Ehrmann in Nice, France.

August 17 : Michael throws a birthday party for Harrison Funk and Safechuck’s mother.

August 19 : Concert at the Stade Olympique de la Pontaise in Lausanne, Switzerland. 

August 21 : Concert at the Talavera Wiesen in Wurzburg, Germany.

August 23 : Concert at the Werchter Festival Grounds in Werchter, Belgium.

August 25 : Katherine joins Michael in London.

August 26+27 : Michael & Katherine go to Madame Tussaud Museum .

Concerts at the Wembley stadium in London. Michael dedicates “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” to Elizabeth Taylor.

Janet & Katherine attends Michael’s concerts.

August 29 : Concert at the Roundhay Park in Leeds, England, where 90 000 fans sing Happy Birthday to Michael!

Janet & Katherine attends Michael’s concert.

August 30 : Michael goes to Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London to see a performance by Mime Marceau. He meets the artist backstage and poses for pictures with him and Bob Jones.

August 31 : Michael poses for a picture with captain Pat Hammond on the ferry between Dover and Calais.

September 2 : Concert at the Niedersachsenstadion in Hannover, Germany.

Latoya & her manager Jack Gordon attend the show with Katherine and visit Michael at his hotel later. It’s the las time Michael & Latoya sees each other until 2002!

September 4 : Concert at the Parkstadion in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

September 6 : Concert in Linz, Austria.

September 7 : Michael receives the MTV Video Vanguard Award from Peter Gabriel during a special presentation via satellite.

Janet wins 2 MTV Video Music Awards but does not attend the ceremony.

September 8 : Michael is presented with an award for his seven sold out concerts at the Wembley stadium which gains him another entry in the Guinness Book Of Records. Katherine attends the presentation.

September 10 : Concert at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes, England.

September 11 : Michael performs his last European concert at the Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England, in front of 125 000 people!

September 12 : LaToya is a guest on german TV show in Munich. While in Munich, LaToya is photographed by Fryderyk Gabowicz.

September 14 : Back in London, Michael visits BAFTA for a preview of his unfinished movie Moonwalker, with Julie Chadwell.

September 15 : Michael & Katherine fly from London Los Angeles and go directly to Michael’s new home : Neverland Ranch. Upon arriving they are greeted by all the ranch’s employees who welcome them led by Michael’s personal maid Bianca Francia & her son Jason.

A special ‘Flintstones Kids’ cartoon featuring a Stone Age Michael Jackson is aired on ABC. MJ lends his song “Beat It” to be used in the series to encourage kids to say no to drugs. The special is called “Just Say No”.

September 23 : LaToya is a guest on The Last Resort with Jonathan Ross.

September 26+27+28 : Concerts at the Civic Arena in Pittsburg (Pennsylvania).

September 30 : The music video for “Another Part Of Me” is premiered. Directed by Patrick Kelly, featuring Jackson performing the song live during his Bad World Tour. The film footage was taken on July 14 and 22 at Wembley Stadium and at Rotterdam on June 7 with soundtrack mixed from live multitrack recording taken on July 15 (while the drum multitrack is from July 16), with additional footage from June 27 and 28 shows at Parc des Princes in Paris as well as some footage from Volksparkstadion in Hamburg on July 1 and in Cork on July 30.

October 3+4/5 : Concerts at the Meadowlands Arena in Rutherford (New Jersey).

October 10+11 : Concerts at the Richfield Coliseum in Richfield.

October 13 : MTV premieres the “Smooth Criminal” short film.

October 13/17/18/19 : Concerts at the Capitol Center in Landover (Maryland)

October 23 : In a brief ceremony outside the old Motown Studio in Detroit , Michael presents Esther Edwards & Berry Gordy with a $125 000 cheque for the Motown museum.

October 24+25+26 : Concerts at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

October 25 : LaToya’s 5th studio album titled “LaToya” is released by RCA.”You’re Gonna Get Rocked!” is released as a single. The video is directed by Greg Gold. A huge promotion campaign followed in the fall of 1988, with LaToya performing the song live on many different TV shows worldwide.

October 29 : “Moonwalker” makes its debut in Japonese theatres.

Michael cancels three concerts in Tacoma (Wahington) when his vocal cords become swollen.

November : LaToya poses for Playboy during a top secret photoshoot at Neil Simon Theatre in NYC.

November 7+8+9 : Concerts at theIrvine Meadows Amphitheatre in Irvine Meadows, Laguna Hills (California)

November 13 : Concert at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles. Many members of the Jackson family attend the show. Backstage, Michael is presented with a proclamation from Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley who declared November Michael Jackson’s month.

Michael cancels five concerts in Los Angeles due to illness. They are rescheduled for January 1989.

November 14 : “Smooth Criminal” is released as the 7th single from “Bad”. It will peak at #7 on Hot 100 Billboard.

December : Janet & Rene go to Minneapolis to work on Janet’s next project at Flyte Time Studios with Terry Lewis & Jimmy Jam.

Early December : Michael and his team arrive in Tokyo, Japan.

December 02 : Miko Brando and American child actor Brandon Adams attend the Beverly Hills premiere of ‘Moonwalker’, held at the Academy Theater in Beverly Hills.

December 9 : Michael performs his first concert at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo.

December 10 : Michael performs his seconc concert at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo.

December 11 : Michael plays the 3rd concert at Tokyo Dome,Tokyo. He meets backstage with two young fans and their parents. 9 year old Ayana Takada was the 4 millionth fan to attend the Bad tour. MJ brings her on stage and presents her with a certificate commemorating the event.

December 17 : Michael performs his 4th concert at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo.

December 18 : Michael performs his 5th concert at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo.

December 19 : Michael performs his 6th consecutive sold concert at the Tokyo Dome in Japan.

December 22 : Without any press or announcement, Michael travels to Tomioka, about 120 kilometres from Tokyo, to visit Gunma Safari Park. There, he boards the safari bus, feeds the lions, spends quite some time watching the monkeys, and specifically asks to see the baby elephants Tango and Natsuko, who had been born at the park. Before leaving, he donates 500,000 yen at the Savanna restaurant to support children who have lost their parents in accidents and animal welfare.

December 23 : Michael is invited to attend a welcome party at the Capitol Tokyu Hotel by the Choshi Hanedaiko Preservation Society (sponsored by PEPSI, Nippon Shinpan, and Nippon Television).

December 24 : Michael performs his 7th concert at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo.

December 25 : Michael performs his 8th concert at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo.

December 26 : Michael performs his 9th and last concert at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo.

“Moonwalker” is released in Europe cinemas but not in the US.

It is reported that Michael has been making compassionate visits to the bedside of David Smithee, a 12-year-old whose father set him alight alive!

December 27 : Michael and his entourage fly back home from Tokyo to L.A.

Previous year : 1987

Following year : 1989

Michael buys a new condominium in Century City nicknamed the “Hideout”.

LaToya hires Jack Gordon as her new manager. She signs a new recording contract with RCA Records and starts recording a new album with produced by the European trio Stock Aitken Waterman.

“(Ain’t Nobody Loves You) Like I Do” is the first single taken from her fifth album “La Toya”.  The single is released throughout Europe, excluding the United Kingdom. LaToya shoots a music video for the song. The B-side of the single, “(Tell Me) She Means Nothing To You At All”, is released as its own single in France. The 12″ singles include a longer version of the song.

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  06 : “Let’s Wait Awhile” is released the the 5th single from “Control” along with a black & white video directed by Dominic Sena. It will peak at #2 on Hot 100 Billboard.

Janet is on the cover of Spin Magazine.

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 22 : Janet performs “Control” and “Nasty” during the halftime of Ice Capades skating show at the Madison Square Garden in NYC. While in New York, she takes her dancers to the Studio 54.

January 26 : Janet attends the American Music Awards ceremony with Rene where she performs “Control” and wins two awards.

1987 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS – Show Coverage – Airdate: January 26, 1987. (Photo by ABC

Rebbie also attends the ceremony and presents an award with Gary Morris.

The album “Control The Remixes” is released.

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.

February 1 : Janet is a guest on US radio show HITLINE USA.

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 :  Janet attends the 29th Annual Grammy Awards at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California where she performs a medley performance of  “What Have You Done For Me Lately ” and “Nasty” featuring Terry Lewis & Jimmy Jam. Later she watches the delay broadcast ay Hayvenhurst with family and friends.

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 :  Janet is on the cover of Jet magazine.

Janet accepts an award in a pre recorded video message taped in New York City during the filming of the “Let’s Wait Awhile” video during the 4th Annual Black Gold Awards.

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 14 : “Diamonds”, a duet between Janet & Herb Alpert is released by A&M. It will peak at #5 on Hot 100 Billboard.

March 17 : Hazel gives birth to Jermaine’s son, Jaimy Jackson.

March 23 :  Janet attends the Soul Train Awards with Rene where she wins an award for “Control”.

March 26 : Janet performs “Let’s Wait Awhile” on British TV show Top Of The Pops (taped in London).

March 30 : Janet performs “Let’s Wait Awhile” at Yoru no Hit Sutajio in Tokyo, Japan.

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.

Janet films “The Pleasure Principle” directed by Dominic Sena in L.A.

May 5 : Filming of the “Smooth Criminal” break scene at the Culver Studios.

May 12 : “The Pleasure Principle” is released as the 6th single from Control.”Diamonds”. It will peak at #14 on Hot 100 Billboard.

May 16 : For her 21st birthday, Janet goes on vacation to Hawaii with Rene. Rene proposes to her on the beach ans she accepts.

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 19 : LaToya attends the Premiere of “Beverly Hills Cop II” at Mann’s Chinese Theater in Los Angeles.

May 26 : Michael records “Just Good Friends” with Stevie Wonder in Los Angeles.

May 29 : On her 31st birthday, LaToya flies to Japan with her new manager Jack Gordon. Later they go to Germany.

June 01 : MTV premieres the video for “The Pleasure Principle” directed by Dominic Sena and choreograped by Barry Lather.

June 18 : BBC UK airs Janet performance of ”Pleasure Principle” on Top Of The Pops.

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 1 : LaToya is on a promotional tour in Helsinki.

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 “Making Love In The Rain” from Herb Alpert is released and it features Janet’s background vocals. It will peak at #35 on Hot 100 Billboard.

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.

Katherine & Rebbie poses for photos at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago, Illinois.

August 17 :  Janet is on the cover of Jet magazine with a story on a party hosted by A&M in Beverly Hills with Terry Lewis & Jimmy Jam to celebrate the Control album getting platinum

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:  A&M releases Control : The Videos, a VHS featuring all the music videos from the album Control.

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 (Japan) 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.

While in Tokyo, Michael gives an interview to Mollie Meldrum for 60 Minutes Australia. Mollie had interviewed Michael ten years earlier in 1977.

September 10 : Michael visits Korakuen Amusement Park.

September 11 : Michael visits Disneyland Tokyo.

Janet wins her first MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography (“Nasty”) but she does not attend the ceremony.

September 12 : Michael rehearses with his band and dancers at the Korakuen Stadium in Tokyo.

At night, Michaels kicks off the Bad World Tour Korakuen stadium  in Tokyo.

September 13 : Second concert at the Korakuen stadium  in Tokyo.

September 14 : Third concert at the Korakuen stadium  in Tokyo.

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. At the end of the day, he is invited to the home of the head of Sony in Japan, Akio Morita, to celebrate the birthday of his wife, Yoshiko Akita Morita.

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 22 : LaToya is on a promotional tour in Munich, Germany. She performs her new single “(Ain’t Nobody Loves You) Like I Do” on German TV show.

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 : Janet and Rene attend Eddie Murphy’s Comedy Tour at The Forum in Inglewood, California.

“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 25 :  “Funny How Time Flies” is released as the 7th and final single  from “Control” (only in the UK & Australia). Janet does not shoot a video for this single.

November 27 : First concert at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Brisbane.

November 28 : Second concert at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Brisbane. 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”.

This is the last time Michael ever performs the songs “Things I Do for You”, Off The Wall” and “Lovely One” in front of an audience.

Wade and his mother Joy Robson visit Michael at his hotel in Brisbane.

November 29 : 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 20 : Janet & Rene attend the 20th NAACP Image Awards at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles (the ceremony airs on January 15, 1988).

December 22 + 23 : Michael is filming the “Leave Me Alone” short film as part of the “Moonwalker” movie.

Previous year : 1986

Following year : 1988

January : “Imagination” is the fourth studio album by La Toya. The album is released on by Private-I Records (an extension of Epic Records). Private-I Records goes bankrupt shortly after the album’s release. Because of the record company’s financial problems, the promotion is poor and it fails to chart. Three singles are released, the first being “Baby Sister”, which was released in Japan, followed by “He’s a Pretender” and a remix of the title track.

January 13 :  “What Have You Done For Me Lately” is released as the 1st single from “Control” and becomes Janet first TOP 10 hit on the Hot 100 Billboard peaking at #4.

January 27 : Michael arrives half-way through the American Music Awards ceremony in company of Elizabeth Taylor where he, Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie and Ken Kragen are presented with awards for “We Are The World”.

Katherine, LaToya, Rebbie & Janet also attend the ceremony (Janet makes her first public appearance with her new boyfriend Rene Elizondo Jr).

Rebbie, Janet & LaToya present awards. For the show’s conclusion, Michael joins many celebrities including Diana Ross, Janet & LaToya to sing “We Are The World”.

February : Michael is asked to be best man at the wedding of Diana Ross & Arne Naess but he cancels at the last minute and stops speaking to Diana.

February 2 : Michael gives a 5 minutes interview about Quincy Jones for CBS 60 minutes programme.

February 4 : The album “Control” is released and becomes a huge success peaking at #1 on Billboard 200 .

Janet gives many TV, Radio & magazine interviews to promote the album.

February 17 : The video for “What Have You Done For Me Lately” is premiered on BET.

February 25 : Michael, Lionel Richie, Quincy Jones & Stevie attend the Grammy Awards where “We Are The World” wins four awards.

March 8 : Heart transplant recipient Donna Ashlock visits Michael at Hayvenhurst. She stays for lunch and watches a movie with Michael.

March 9 : “Reaction”, Rebbie’s second album is released by Columbia Records. The album spawns two mildly successful singles, “Reaction” and “You Send the Rain Away”, a duet with Robin Zander. ”

March 13 : Janet performs “What Have You Done For Me Lately” on American Banstand.

March 29 : In Los Angeles, Janet performs “What Have You Done For Me Lately” on The Soul Train Show

March 31 : Janet & Rene Elizondo Jr officially start dating.

Janet appears on the cover of Jet magazine.

April 10 : BBC UK airs Janet performance of “What Have You Done For Me Lately” on Top Of The Pops.

April 11 :   Janet performs “What Have You Done For Me Lately” on The Solid Soul Show.

April 15 : “Nasty” is released as the 2nd single from “Control”. It will peak at #3 on Hot 100 Billboard.

Janet premieres the video at the Hayvenhurst home movie theatre for Michael & the family. The video is directed by Mary Lambert and choreographed by Paula Abdul and Anthony Thomas.

April 23 : For the second time, Michael accompanies Elizabeth Taylor to the opening of the Hollywood Park Race Track in Inglewood.

May : Michael, Elizabeth, Lionel Richie & Mikhail Baryshnikov attend the LA Bullet Opening Night party in Los Angeles.

Michael attends Jermaine’s concert in Los Angeles with Janet & LaToya. He is disguised as “Uncle Willy”.

May 2 : Janet performs “What Have You Done For Me Lately” on Solid Gold.

May 6 : Michael attends a press conference at New York ’s Red Parrot where Pepsi announces a new contract for a reported $15 million and later he receives a Guinness Book of World Records plaque for having received the largest fee ever for a product endorsement.

Michael & Emmanuel Lewis stay at the Hemsley Palace Hotel in NYC.

May 10 : Michael & Emmanuel attend the Sunday matinee of Broadway’s Big Deal

May 13 : On their last evening in New York , Michael & Emmanuel watch The Little Shop Of Horrors.

May 24 : Janet is on the cover of UK’s NME magazine.

June : Michael undergoes his 4th rhinoplasty and he also asks Steven Hoefflin to create a cleft in his chin.

Michael & Corey Feldman go to Disneyland . For the first time, Michael is seen in public with a surgical mask.

July 4 : Michael attends the annual 4th of July picnic & barbecue at the Skywalker Ranch, George Lucas’s Estate, located in a secluded, yet open area near Nicasio, California, in Marin County.

July 28 : “When I Think Of You” is released as the third single from “Control” along with a video. It is Janet first ever Number 1 the hot 100 US Billboard.

The video is directed by Julian Temple and choreographed by Paula Abdul.

Janet’s nephews TJ & Taryll make a cameo in the video.

July 30 : Michael attend the funeral of film director Vincento Minnelli with his daughter Liza & widow Lee at the Forrest Lawn Cemetary in Glendale, California.

August :  Quincy asks Prince to record the song “Bad” as a duet with Michael but Prince refuses.

August 21 : BBC UK airs Janet performance of “What Have You Done For Me Lately” on Top Of The Pops.

August 25 : Michael meets Leonard Bernstein during a concert by the New York Philharmonic at Royce Hall in Los Angeles thanks to singer David Pack, who organized Bernstein’s wish to meet Michael for his birthday. Backstage, after the concert, Leonard Bernstein, known to be a great seducer, receptive to Michael’s compliments, reportedly embraced him and kissed him on the mouth! That same evening, Michael attends a dinner at Bernstein’s for his 68th birthday. Some witnesses say that Michael at some point found himself alone with Bernstein in a room and when he emerged, he looked disturbed and had tears in his eyes.

September : Janet is on the cover of Ebony magazine.

Michael attends the concert of the Norwegian group A-Ha in Hollywood with good friend Sophia Loren and arrives in a surgical mask.

September 5 : Janet attends the MTV Video Music Awards with Rene. She presents an award.

September 10 : Janet & Rene are on a promotional tour in Toronto, Canada.

September 12 : Captain EO, Michael’s 17 minute 3-D musical fantasy is premiered at Epcot Center in Disneyworld (Florida) and the day after in Disneyland ( California ).

September 16 : Michael appears on the cover of National Enquirer in an oxygen chamber (the photo was sent by Frank Dileo)

October 28 : “Control” is released as the fourth single from “Control”. It will peak at #5 on Hot 100 Billboard.

The music video is directed by Mary Lambert and features a live performance recorded at the Grand Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles with Terry Lewis, Jimmy Jam, Jellybean Johnson & Jerome Benton.

It’s choreograped by Paula Abdul & Anthony Thomas.

Janet Dubois from Good Times plays Janet’s mother in the video.

November : Michael & Elizabeth Taylor attend a Liza Minnelli concert at the Universal Amphitheater in Hollywood.

Michael & Run-DMC work together on an anti-drug song.

Janet goes to Europe with Rene & Anthony Thomas for a promotional tour :

-London (England) : they tape a performance of Control on Top Of The Pops

-Paris (France) : they tape a performance of “Nasty” on TF1 (aired on November 17)

-Amsterdam : They tape a performance of “Control” on Dutch TV show Top Pop

-Madrid (Spain) : they tape a performance of “When I Think Of You” & Nasty at TVE Studios (aired on December 17)

-Berlin (Germany) : they tape a performance of “Control” on at TV Puls (aired on November 20)

-Italy : Janet gives an interview

Hilversum (Netherlands) : they tape Control & When I Think Of You on Countdown Cafe (aired on November 18)

Back in the US Janet performs Control on the Soul Train Show.

November 3 : Rebbie performs on “American Bandstand”.

Mid november : Michael stays at the Hemsley Palace Hotel in NYC where he rehearses the choreography for the “Bad” short film with dancers Jeffrey Daniel, and Gregg Burge. While in town, Michael also visits the Cascio family at their New Jersey home.

November 19-mid december : Michael films a 16 minutes short film for the song “Bad” directed by Martin Scorsese and featuring Wesley Snipes. Scenes are filmed in Dobbs Ferry , a tiny hamlet in upstate New York and in a subway of Brooklyn . The song and video tell the story of Daryl, a black youth from the ghetto who returns home from his private school.

Elizabeth Taylor, Quincy Jones & Sean Lennon visit Michael on the set.

December : Rumours circulate about Michael having an affair with his make-up artist Karen Faye.

December 14 : Michael attends a presentation by the American Friends Of The Hebrew University where Steven Spielberg receives the coveted Scopus Award in NYC.

December 19 : Michael, Jonathan Spence & Frank Dileo attend a performance of “The Little Shop Of Horror” at the Beekman Theatre in NYC.

December 26 : Jermaine’s mistress, Margaret Maldonado gives birth to a baby boy named Jeremy Jackson while Jermaine’s wife Hazel is pregnant from him…

December 31 : Janet performs “Control” on New Years Simulcast 1986-87 from Tokyo, Los Angeles, New York, London. She is live from Tokyo. LaToya performs on the same show her duet “Yes I’m Ready” with Jed. Janet & LaToya are briefly interviewed together on the show.

Previous year : 1985

Next year : 1987

Michael hosts a family day at Hayvenhurst to open the « Memory Room » with family pictures and history.

Janet, Latoya & Rebbie attend the Princess Grace Foundation Gala + a party hosted by Essence Magazine in honour of her mother Katherine Jackson.

Michael, Katherine & LaToya visits the set of US prime time soap opera “Dynasty” and meet the actress Joan Collins.

January : Janet presents an award with sister Rebbie at the Black Gold Awards at the Cocoanut Grove, Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.

January 22 : Michael, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder & Quincy Jones record a demo version of the song “We Are The World” at Kenny Rogers ‘Lion’s Share Recording Studio in L.A (Michael takes Emmanuel Lewis to the studio) and later they send the demo cassettes to all artistes involved in the recording.

January 26 : In Fame’s new episode “The Heart Of Rock N Roll II”, Janet/Cleo performs a rendition of Jackson 5 hit “I Want You Back”.

January 28 : Janet attends the American Music Awards with James & LaToya. She and LaToya presents an award to Kenny Rogers. Rebbie also attends and she presents an award.

Two hours after the ceremony, Michael and 44 other artists (including Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, LaToya, Jackie, Marlon & Randy) gather secretly for 10 hours at the A&M Recording Studios in L.A to record “We Are The World”.

January 30 : Janet’s lawyer files a petition in court to nullify her mariage to James. Janet leaves James and she goes back to Hayvenhurst. Soon later, she decides to leave Fame.

February 2 : Janet is a guest star on a two part episode of  ABS series “Love Boat”. She plays the character Della. The episodes were shot on location in Scandinavia & Russia.

February 13 : Latoya guest stars as herself in an episode of “The Fall Guy” where she performs her single “Hot Potato”.

February 14 : At Hayvenhurst, Michael helps with the delivery of a baby deer born to his pet deers Prince & Princess. The birth of Valentino is videotaped.

February 23 : Michael appears on the cover of TV Guide for the first time.

February 26 : Michael wins in the category Best Video Album for “The Making Of Thriller” at the Grammy Awards but he does not attend the presentation.

March : Michael is on the cover of Rock & Soul, Beatbox, Look In and Right On! magazines.

At Hayvenhurst, Michael starts recording song demos for his upcoming album with sound engineers John Barnes, Bill Bottrell & Matt Forger. They also work on songs “Another Part Of Me ” and “We Are Here To Change The World” for the upcoming Captain Eo short film. The preproduction starts for Captain Eo.

March 7 : “We Are The World” is released and soon becomes a worldwide anthem.

March 26 : Michael arrives in London.

March 27 : Michael attends the futuristic musical “Starlight Express” in London and meets the cast backstage.

March 28 : Janet attends the premiere of “The Last Dragon” with James.

Michael attends the unveiling of his wax statue at Madame Tussaud’s wax museum in London. 8000 fans gather to get a glimpse of their hero.

More than 6,000 radio stations of all format varieties play “We Are The World” simultaneously at 10:15 a.m. EST. (Eastern Standard Time).

March 29 : Michael leaves the Montcalm Hotel in London to visit the Marylebone Police Station to thank them for their service where he is treated to a police drill and presented with a police badge and helmet.

Michael attends an evening reception and party in his honour in London where CBS Records present him with an 8X Platinum wall-mounted plaque.

“We Are The World: The Video Event” is released on VHS.

March 30 : Michael spends the weekend with Paul McCartney and family at their farmhouse near Rye, Sussex.

April : Michael and seven members of USA For Africa are on the cover of Life Magazine.

April 1 : Michael flies back home.

April 3 : Rebbie Jackson accepts an award for Best Home Video in 1984, at the Third Annual American Video Awards in Santa Monica, California. The award was won by the documentary ‘The Making of Michael Jackson’s Thriller’.

April 8 : Michael and Lionel Richie are on the cover of Jet Magazine.

May 11 : Michael visits Brandywine River Museum’s exhibit of paintings by N.C Wyeth in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.

May 14 : Michael receives a royalty cheque from Epic Records for $53 million for sales of the Thriller Album.

May 25 : In Fame’s season 4th finale, Janet/Cleo performs “Dream Street”. This is Janet first ever promotional music video and also her last appearance on the show.

May 27 : Rebbie is on the cover of Jet Magazine.

June : Michael starts rehearsing for an upcoming 3D science fiction musical short film named Captain EO to be shown exclusively at Disneyland and Disney World. Francis Ford Coppola will direct and George Lucas will produce the film.

June 28 : Michael and Elizabeth Taylor attend Liza Minelli’s “Comeback” concert tour at the Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa.

July : Janet leaves the Jeovah’s Witnesses. Pushed by John Mac Lain, she makes a diet and takes singing and dancing classes. Mac Lain asks producers Terry Lewis & Jimmy Jam to produce Janet next album and they accept.

July 4 : Michael attends the annual 4th of July picnic & barbecue at the Skywalker Ranch, George Lucas’s Estate, located in a secluded, yet open area near Nicasio, California, in Marin County.

July 15 : Michael starts shooting the Captain Eo short film with Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas. Elizabeth Taylor, Emmanuel Lewis Taj Jackson & Jonathan Spence visit him on the set. He meets Dennis Tomkins and Michael Bush who will become his costume designers until the end of his life.

July 24 : It is announced that Michael is to star in a 3-D science-fiction musical film called Captain EO to be shown exclusively at Disneyland and Disney World.

July 30 : Michael severely sprains his right hand during the filming of Captain EO. He is treated at the Brotman Memorial Hospital.

August : Janet is on the cover of Essence magazine.

“Eaten Alive” by Diana Ross is released. The single is co-written by Michael and Barry and Maurice Gibb from the Bee Gees.

August 10 : After 10 months of negociations, Michael purchases the ATV Music catalogue from Australian multi millionnaire Robert Holmes for 47.5 million dollars.

For their help in negociating, Michael rewards attorney John Branca and manager Frank Dileo each with a Rolls Royce.

August-October : Janet goes to Minneapolis with her friend Melanie to record her new album with Terry Lewis & Jimmy Jam at the Flyte Tyme Studio.

September 27, (or 29) : Michael and Liz Taylor attend Bruce Springsteen’s concert at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, one of the last concerts of the Born In USA Tour.

October 18 : Michael spends two hours at Sydney Airport on his way to Perth, Austalia. He is accompanied by Bill Bray.

October 19 : Michael visits Princess Margaret’s Children Hospital in Perth. Later he is presented with the City’s Keys by Mayor Michael Agapitos.

At night Michael appears live on Australian TV Telethon with Peter Waltham & Molly Meldrum.

October 20 : Michael attends a “Téléthon garden party”, hosted Robert Holmes’s Estate (the business man who sold ATV catalogue to Michael).

Michael makes a second appearance on the Telethon.

October 21 : Michael visits the Cohunu Koala Wildfire Sanctuary in Perth, Australia.

October 22 : Michael flies back home.

October 27 : LaToya performs “Baby Sister” during the 16th annual World Popular Song Festival in Tokyo, Japan aka the Yamaha Music Festiva . “Baby Sister is the 1st single from LaToya’s ‘s 4th studio album “Imagination” released in 1986. Janet supports LaToya by performing background vocals on her song during the performance. Michael also supports LaToya through a video taped with her earlier this month at Hayvenhurst.

November : Janet goes to Canyon Ranch with Paula Abdul to study dance and slim down.

November 18 : Janet’s mariage to James DeBarge is officialy annuled.

November 22  : Rebbie gives birth to her son named Austin Brown (“Auggie”).

December : Janet shoots the video for her upcoming single “What Have You Done For Me Lately” directed by Brian Jones and Piers Ashworth and choreographed by Paula Abdul. The video also features Tina Landon who will eventually becomes Janet’s best friend and choreographer for years.

December 25 : Michael and Elizabeth Taylor visit Hollywood Park together.The actress is a member of the Turf Club at the racetrack and owns a horse, Basic Image, that participates in races. “We both love horses and animals, and we love going to the paddock and seeing the horses up close. We love Hollywood Park,” Michael Jackson said to his friend Gloria Rhoads Berlin. The two stars are spotted at their table, watching the actress’s horse race, ridden by the famous jockey William Lee “Bill” Shoemaker, who will, however, finish in the last positions. The story goes that Liz, seeing her horse falling behind, started shouting and swearing to the astonishment of Michael Jackson, who was not accustomed to hearing her utter such words!

Previous year : 1984

Following year : 1986

Michael is baptized a Jeovah’s Witness at the Kingdom Hall of Los Angeles.

Michael hires Marlon Brando’s son, Miko Bando.

Janet meets dancers Terry Bixler & Anthony Thomas during a private dance audition for Thriller at Hayvenhurst. They introduce her to Rene Elizondo Jr and they become friends.

January : Katherine, LaToya, Michael & Janet move back to Hayvenhurst now equipped with a second story to the bedrooms, upstairs a den and a gym, downstairs a game room and a thirty-two-seat movie theatre and off the entry hall, a trophy room.

January 2 : The single “Billie Jean” is released by Epic. It will peak at #1 on Hot 100 Billboard. 

January 10 : “Come Give Your Love To Me” is released as  the 2nd single from “Janet Jackson”. It will peak at #58 on Hot 100 Billboard. Janet does not shoot a video for this single.

January 17 :  Janet attends the American Music Awards.

January 31 : Michael shoots a short film for the song “Billie Jean” directed by Steve Barron.

February : Janet is on the cover of Ebony magazine with Different Strokes’ partner Todd Bridges  

Michael goes to London to work on songs with Paul MacCartney.

While in London he visits his friend Mark Lester.

February 04 : LaToya, Janet and Joe Jackson attend the R&B Awards in Los Angeles.

February 5 : In Los Angeles, Janet performs “Say You Do” on Solid Gold.

February 8 :  Michael attends the Brit Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London with Paul & Linda McCartney. He accepts an award on behalf of Barbara Streisand.

February 10 :  In Bremen (Germany), Janet performs “Young Love” on Musikladen.

February 14 :  The single “Beat It” is released by Epic.It will peak at #1 on Hot 100 Billboard.

February 17 : Michael is on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine with exclusive photos and an interview by Gerri Hirchey.

February 25 : Jane Fonda & Michael attend the presentation of Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ album certified twice platinum at CBS Records in Century City.

Michael gives an interview to Entertainment Tonight.

March : Michael is on the cover of Rock & Soul magazine.

The Jackson do not renew the managing contract of Weisner & DeMann.

March 9 : On Skid Row, east of Hollywood , Michael begins filming the “Beat It”short film , directed by Bob Giraldi & choreographed by Michael Peters with 25 dancers and 50 actual Los Angeles gang members. The video costs $ 150 000! Tom Joyner interviews Michael on the “Beat It” set for Ebony/Jet Celebrity Showcase.

March 10 : The “Billie Jean” short film is added to MTV’s playlist which is seen as a major breakthrough for a black artist.

March 12 : The co-managing contract between Joe Jackson, Weisner & De Mann expires.

March 20 : Michael & LaToya attend the “Dreamgirls” opening night after party at the Shubert theater in Century City

March 25 : Michael & The Jacksons tape a performance at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium for “Motown 25th: Yesterday, Today & Forever” TV special. For the first time since 1975, all the Jackson brothers including Jermaine & Randy are reunited on stage for a medley of the Jackson 5 hits followed by a solo performance of “Billie Jean” during which Michael showcases his first ever public performance of the Moonwalk. At the end of the show, Michael joins Diana Ross and all the Motown stars on stage to pay tribute to Berry Gordy.

March 31 : The “Beat It” short film has its world premiere on MTV during prime time. Soon after its premiere the video is also running on other video programs including BET’s Video Soul, SuperStation WTBS’s Night Tracks, and NBC’s Friday Night Videos. In fact, “Beat It” is the first video shown on the latter’s first ever telecast on July 29, 1983.

April 1 : Janet poses with Sammy Davis jr at an unknown event.

April 6 : Michael attends a post concert party for Liza Minnelli at the New Universal Amphitheater, Hollywood with Quincy Jones & David Geffen.

April 16 : Michael & Samir Kamoun don Charlie Chaplin outfits to pay tribute to him on his birthday.

April 25 : Michael is on the cover of Jet magazine.

April 29 : “Say You Do” is released as the 3rd single from “Janet Jackson”. The song is not charted on Hot 100 Billboard. Janet does not shoot a video for this single.

May 8 : The single “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin” is released by Epic. It will peak at #5 on Hot 100 Billboard. Michael does not shoot a video for this single.

May 16 : NBC broadcasts the two hour special “Motown 25th: Yesterday, Today & Forever” TV special. The show is watched by 47 millions American. Michael watches it at Hayvenhurst with the Jackson family.

“Love Is My Best Friend” is released at the 4th single from “Janet Jackson”. Janet does not shoot a video for this single.

May 17 : Fred Astaire & Hermes Pan call him to congratulate on his ‘Billie Jean” performance. Later Fred Astaire invites Michael to his home to teach him the Moonwalk. Soon after, Gene Kelly visits Michael at Hayvenhurst.

June : Michael is on the cover of Creem magazine.

At Hayvenhurst, Michael is presented with a Telegatto Award for Artist of the Year from a journalist of Italian weekly magazine TV Sorrisi e Canzoni. Michael is photographed with the award in the trophy room of his house, a space where he gathered all of his awards.

Member of The Jacksons World Fan-Club receive an improvised and unreleased song from the group named “The Surprise Song”. The Jacksons reveal that they are working on a brand new album and world tour.

Michael meets John Barnes and they start working on new songs such as Buffalo Bill or Liberian Girl.

June 22 : Michael decides not to renew his managing contract with Joe, Weisner & DeMann.

July : Michael is rumoured to work with Steven Spielberg on a new adapatation of the children fairy tale Peter Pan.

July 12 : The single Human Nature is released by Epic. It will peak at #7 on Hot 100 Billboard. Michael does not shoot a video for this single.

July 1 : Latoya and Michael attend the Black Radio Exclusive Convention at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

July 9 : Michael appears on the cover of the teenage magazine Top.

July 18 : “Don’t Mess Up This Good Thing” is released at the 5th and final single from the album “Janet Jackson”. Janet does not shoot a video for this single.

July 29 : Janet records vocals for a song for a Mountain Dew Jingle commercial. Written/produced by Deborah McDuffie.The name of the track on the cassette is: “Brothers and Sisters”, though Deborah titled it “Dew it To It”. Janet poses for a picture with Cheryl Lynn, Luther Vandross, James Ingram, Denice Williams, Jennifer Holiday, Howard Hewett,Caroline Jones, David Lasley and Deborah McDuffie during the recording session for the Mountain Dew Jingle commercial.

August : Michael has a meeting with Epic records head of promotion, Frank Dileo in a bungalow at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Michael asks him if he would be interested in managing him.

August 14 : Michael attends David Bowie’s “Serious Moonlinght” concert at the Forum in LA. Backstage he poses with David Bowie, Bette Midler and Cher.

August 20 : Pre-production begins on the Thriller short film directed by John Landis & choreographed by Michael Peters. Director John Landis and his producing partner, George Folsey Jr. visit Michael Jackson at Hayvenhurst to talk about the making of a short film for Thriller.

Michael attends a James Brown’s concert at the Beverly Theatre and James invites him on stage to sing and dance! Later that night Prince also comes on stage.

September : It is announced that The Jacksons will tour the US in 1984.

Michael is on the cover of Black Beat magazine.

September 6 : Michael signs an agreement through his production company Optimum Productions, that will pay John Landis 50 per cent of net profits from both the Thriller video and the documentary.

Michael is presented by CBS with 36 gold and platinum plaques from 19 different countries, all the “Thriller” LP and singles from it, at the San Diego presentation with Quincy Jones, CBS Records Group President Walter Yetnikoff and his staff.

September 19 : The single “P.Y.T (Pretty Young Things)” is released by Epic and it features Janet & Latoya doing background vocals. It will peak at #10 on Hot 100 Billboard. Michael does not shoot a video for this single.

September 25 : Michael’s performance at the Motown 25th is shown at the Emmy Awards Ceremony where it is nominated but does not win.

September 30 : The Jacksons sign boxing tycoon, Don King, as promoter of their forthcoming tour.

October : Michael is on the cover of People, Interview, Globe & Rock & Soul magazines.

October 3 : A new duet between Michael & Paul MacCartney named “Say Say Say” is released by Columbia Records. It will peak at #1 on Hot 100 Billboard.

Michael & Paul shoot the video in Santa Ynez Valley (California) with cameo appearances by Latoya Jackson & Linda Mac Cartney! During the filming, Michael stays at Sycamore Valley Ranch who will one day become his Neverland Valley Ranch.

October 11-20 : Michael shoots the “Thriller “short film in Los Angeles.

Jackie Kennedy Onassis visits him on the set and they have dinner together at Hayvenhurst. The next day, Michael takes Jackie to Disneyland.

October 31 : Paul McCartney’s album Pipes of Peace is released ,which contains two duets with Michael, ‘Say Say Say’ and ‘The Man’.

November : Michael & Diana Ross are on the cover of Ebony.

Michael & Quincy return to the Westlake studios to make an interview about Thriller.

The “Thriller” single is released in Europe.

November 11: A $5 million endorsement contract is signed between The Jacksons & Pepsi Cola involving sponsorship of the Victory Tour & two TV commercials.

November 14 : Michael attends the premiere of the Thriller short film with a private audience at the Crest Theater in Los Angeles. In attendance were Diana Ross, Warren Beatty, Prince, Eddie Murphy and many more “A-list” stars. Michael stays in the projection booth so that others such as actress Ola Ray could bask in the attention. 

November 30 : Michael attends a press conference at New York’s Tavern On The Green to announce plans for the Victory Tour. He is accompanied by his parents & sisters (in the audience) plus his brothers and a young boy named Emmanuel Lewis (star of the TV show Webster). During the conference Don King announce The Jacksons’s Victory Tour sponsored by Pepsi.

After the press conference, Michael calls for a meeting in his suite at the Helmsley Palace with John Branca ans his brothers. He is not happy with Don King and decides to hire Bill Graham to handle the Victory Tour.

December : Michael gives a radio interview to Diane Collins at Hayvenhurst. It’s broadcasted in early 1984 on radio stations around the world.

At Hayvenhurst, Michael and LaToya are filmed talking and singing together. This private home movie is sold a few years later. In the video, we can hear Michael singing the song “Peter Pan” and he mentions working on songs “Buffalo Bill” and “Liberian Girl” for the upcoming Jacksons album.

December 2 : The 14 minutes short film of Thriller is premiered on MTV.

December 8 : Michael leaves for New York to promote the “Thriller” short film.

Michael & Paul Mac Cartney are on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine (not a photo but a drawing of them)

December 14 : “The Making Of Thriller” is released on VHS and it will become the most biggest selling music video of all time!

Previous year : 1982

Following year : 1984

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 is diagnostised with Lupus.

Michael becomes friend with Marlon Brando.

Michael does backing vocals for the “song State Of Independence” by Donna Summer.

February 6 : Enid gives birth to Brandi Jackson.

March : Michael records a solo demo of the song “The Girl Is Mine” at Allen Zentz Recording Studio in Hollywood. Later, Quincy Jones and Michael visit Paul McCartney at his Arizona ranch in Tucson near the Tanque Verde River in the foothills of the Rincon Mountains, northeast of Tucson to present him the demo.

April 14-16 : Michael & Paul McCartney record the song “The Girl Is Mine” in Los Angeles. Michael meets Matt Forger during this session. They will work together until 1997.

April 16 : Janet, Randy and La Toya Jackson attend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 35th Birthday Party on at On the Rox, The Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood.

April 17 : Michael, Paul McCartney, and his family, along with Quincy Jones and his wife, spend a day at Universal Studios and they attend the Castle Dracula live horror show.

May-August : Janet signs a record deal with A&M and records her first album in Los Angeles .

She also records background vocals with LaToya for Michael’s song PYT featured on his album Thriller.

May 6 :  During an episode of Diff’Rent Strokes titled “The Music Man” Janet sings “The Magic Is Working” a song she has just recorded for her debut album.

July 4 : Michael, Quincy Jones & his wife Peggy Lipton attend the annual 4th of July picnic & barbecue at the Skywalker Ranch, George Lucas’s Estate, located in a secluded, yet open area near Nicasio, California, in Marin County.

July 7 : Janet’s debut single “Young Love” is released by A&M. It will peak at #64 on Hot 100 Billboard. Janet does not shoot a video for this single.

July 15 : Michaek attends the City of Hope Spirit of Life Awards Dinner at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. where Quincy Jones is being honored with a ‘Spirit of Life’ award. City of Hope is an organization recognized worldwide for its compassionate patient care, innovative science and research.

July 22 : During a photoshoot by Dick Zimmerman for the cover of ET Storybook, Michael meets make-up artist Karen Faye. Later Michael requests Karen for the photoshoot of the Thriller cover. Karen becomes his personal make-up artist until the end of his life.

July 31 : LaToya, Jermaine & Rebbie Jackson attend a party hosted by ‘Right On!’ magazine in New York City.

August : Michael, Quincy Jones & Bruce Swedien start the recording of The Thriller album at the Westlake Studios in Los Angeles.

August 1 : Michael makes a surprise appearance at the Budweiser SuperFest at Rose Bowl in Pasadena during Quincy Jones’ set, he sings and dances on the song “Stuff Like That”.

August 2 : Janet makes a photo session in L.A.

August 20 : Bob Colacello, Andy Warhol’s collaborator for his magazine Interview, meets Michael Jackson at Hayvenhurst. During the interview, Andy Warhol calls Michael. This intervuew is published in the October 1982 issue of Interview. The cover of this issue was designed by Richard Bernstein, based on a photo of Michael Jackson taken by Matthew Rolston.

September-December : Michael pays an architect to raze and rebuild Hatvenhurst. During the reconstruction, he moves into a condo that he owns with Katherine, Janet & LaToya on 410 Lindley Avenue in Encino. Joes stays in the property to watch out for thieves.

September: The single “Muscles” by Diana Ross is released. The song was written, composed and produced by Michael.

Steven Spielberg asks Quincy Jones and Michael to produce a storybook album for his movie ET. Even though, they are very busy working on the “Thriller” album but they accept and spend days & nights working in the Westlake Studio.

Michael gives an interview to Rolling Stone correspondant Gerri Hirshey from his apartment in the San Fernando Valley at 5420 Lindley Avenue in Encino.

September 15 : Michael attends the last Queen concert from their Hot Space US Tour at the Forum in Inglewood. Later Freddie Mercury and him record songs together at the Hayvenhurst studio including a duo titled State Of Shock.

September 21 :  Janet’s debut album “Janet Jackson” is released by A&M. It will peak at #63 on Billboard 200.

Janet gives an interview on the Mike Douglas Show with her pet snake Muscles. It’s her first TV interview as a solo artist.

October : Michael is on the cover of Interview magazine.

October 10 : Michael attends the wedding of Courtney Sale & Steve Ross in New York (with Quincy Jones & his wife Peggy).

October 18 : “The Girl Is Mine” is released by Epic as the first single from “Thriller. It will peak at #2 on Hot 100 Billboard. Michael does not shoot a video for this single.

October 25 : Janet appears on the cover of Jet magazine.

October 30 : In Los Angeles, Janet performs “Young Love” & “Come Give Your Love To Me” for the first time on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand and reveals why she wears a key on her ear ring.

November 5 : Janet performs “Young Love” on Solid Gold.

November 8 : Michael, Quincy & Bruce complete the mixing of the Thriller album.

November 12 : Katherine files for divorce for the second time but she withdraws her demand later on.

November 15 :  “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial”  audiobook is released by MCA Records and promo copies of “Someone in the Dark” are sent to radio stations.

Epic Records allowed Michael to record the album on two conditions:

MCA Records was not to release E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial until after Christmas 1982. (This was to avoid the audiobook competing with Jackson’s new album, Thriller.)
The song “Someone in the Dark” was not to be released as a single.
MCA Records breached both conditions, releasing the storybook in November 1982 and giving 7-inch promo copies of “Someone in the Dark” to radio stations. After Epic lodged a $2 million lawsuit, MCA Records was forced to withdraw the album and prohibited from releasing “Someone in the Dark” as a single.

Epic executives had felt that MCA was misleading members of the public into believing that the then-recently released single “The Girl Is Mine” was featured on the storybook album. The plaintiffs further requested that MCA Records be banned from working with Jackson in the future and that any other media owned by MCA featuring the singer be prohibited from release.

November 30 : The album “Thriller” is released on Epic. It will peak at #1 on Billboard 200 and become the most successful album of all time with 7 hit singles, 107 millions copies sold worldwide, 3 legendaries videos , 8 American Music Awards & 7 Grammy Awards!!!

December : Michael & ET are on the cover of Ebony Magazine.

Michael gives an interview to UK’s magazine Smash Hits.

December 18 : In Los Angeles, Janet performs “Say You Do” and “Young Love” on the Soul Train show.

Previous year : 1981

Following year : 1983

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 signs a contract with the Japanese company Suzuki to promote their scooters, with the slogan “Love Is My Message,” which is linked to the name of the scooter, “Love.” Michael makes many photoshoots all over Los Angeles (Hollywood, Vine Street, Sunset Boulevard, downtown, at Fisherman’s Village in Marina del Rey, close to Venice Beach. Santa Monica. He also films several commercial videos feautiring the song “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough”. The Suzuki CL50 Love model, with a design that would now be considered vintage, is introduced by Suzuki in 1982 in Japan, and later in Europe. It was aimed at a female audience, featuring a smaller-than-usual, fully automatic scooter.

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.

January 31 : LaToya attends the 38th Annual Golden Globe Awards.

February 5 : During a Diana Ross concert in Los Angeles, Michael gets on stage to sing “Upside Down” with her!

February 12 : LaToya performs “If You Feel The Funk” and “Night Time Lover” on Dutch TV show Musikladen.

February 20 : Encouraged by his lawyer John Branca, Michael buys his own apartment in the San Fernando Valley just a few minutes’ drive from Hayvenhurst at 5420 Lindley Avenue in Encino.

Located in a private residence built in 1973, called The Lindbrook, the two-story, 1890 square meters apartment with three bedrooms and three bathrooms costs him two hundred ten thousand dollars. Michael pays one hundred seventy-five thousand in cash, while his mother pays the remaining thirty-five thousand dollars, becoming a co-owner with her son. Katherine thus gains a certain independence from Joe, her husband, with whom relations were not the best at that time (Katherine knew that her husband was cheating on her and had just learned about the existence of Joh’Vonnie, the daughter he had in 1974 from an extramarital affair).

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.

Michael undergoes a second rhinopasty surgery recommended by Dr Steven Hoefflin. He recovers at his frien David Gest’s home.

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”.

May 8 : LaToya’s second album “My Special Love” is released by Polydor. Janet co-writes the song “Camp Kuchi Kaiai” with sister LaToya and sings background vocals”.

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 : The Jacksons perform at the City MCC Arena in Oklahoma City, 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 : Michael allows himself to be photographed by Todd Gray in the Presidential Suite of the Peachtree Hotel in downtown Atlanta. Over the course of forty-five minutes, Gray took more than 70 photos of Michael.

Concert at the Georgia, The Omni Coliseum in Atlanta. The proceeds ($100,000) will be donated to the Atlanta Children’s Foundation, in response to a series of murders and kidnappings that have been affecting the city’s children for months.

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 : Concert at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Andy Warhol and Katherine Hepburn attend the concerts and pose for pictures with Michael.

While in NYC, Michael visits Katherine Hepburn in her Manhattan home.

August 19 : Second concert at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.

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 : Michael is presented with a Scotty Award for Off The Wall. He poses for pictures with the award (specific date and place remain unknown).

Michael is on the cover of Rock & Soul magazine.

September 1 : Concert at the Kemper Arena in Kansas.

September 2 : Concert at the Checkerdome in St. Louis.

September 03 : The Jacksons perform at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado.

September 05 : The Jacksons perform at the Chicago Stadium in Chicago, Illinois

September 06 : The Jacksons perform at the Las Vegas Convention Center in in Winchester, Nevada.

September 08 : The Jacksons perform at the Kemper Arena (now Hy-Vee Arena) in Kansas City, Missouri.

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 19 : Dick Clark presents the full version of the “Triumph” short film on American Bandstand.

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.

Michael starts working on demo songs such as “Bille Jean”, “The Girl Is Mine” or “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin” at his Hayvenhurst home studio.

October 3 : Michael gives an interview to Randy Taraborrelli with Janet by his side.

October 10 : LaToya performs “Stay The Night” on the Soul Train Show.

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.

October 28 : Michael and Janet attend the opening night of Liza Minnelli at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Michael poses for pictures with Gregory Peck, Joel Grey, Audrey Hepburn and Liza Minnelli.

October 29 : Janet plays Charlene on Season 4 of Diff’rent Strokes.

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.

Previous year : 1980

Following year : 1982

Bill Bray hires a new bodyguard names Wayne Nagin who will go on working for Michael until 2000!

John Branca becomes Michael’s attorney. Branca’s first course of action is to renegociate Michael’s CBS contract with the company’s president Walter Yetnikoff.

Randy leaves Hayvenhurst and moves in with his girlfriend Julie Mijares.

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.

During his stay on the American island, Michael Jackson visits Paradise Park in Waikiki and crosses paths with Peter Hernandez. A momentary encounter immortalized by a photo that will remain in the archives of the park employee and would probably have never gained any importance if this Peter Hernandez wasn’t none other than the future father of a certain Bruno Mars!

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 at a UNICEF benefit concert called « Because We Care » and hosted by Julie Andrews for Cambodian relief at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillon at the Music Center in Los Angeles. Later he attends an after party with John Travolta.The show airs on CBS on February 5, 1980.

Late January/Early February : At Disneyland, Michael tapes a medley of When You Wish Upon A Star, Follow The Yellow Brick Road and Ease On Down The Road for a CBS TV Special celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Magic Kingdom (aired on March 6, 1980).

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. 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 given to reporter Steve Demorest at Hayvenhurst in February. During the interview, the reporter asks the questions to a 13 years old Janet who repeats them to Michael.

March 6 : CBS airs Kraft salutes Disneyland’s 25th anniversary starring Dany Kaye with guest stars Michael Jackson, The Osmonds and Adam Rich.

March 23 : Molly Meldrum makes a telephone interview with Michael  from his show on Australian television, “Countdown”. Michael talks about the success of his album “Off The Wall” and also mentions the album “Destiny” with The Jacksons.

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.

May 26 : LaToya’s debut single “If You Feel The Funk” is released  by Polydor.

June 24 : Latoya’s debut album titled “LaToya Jackson” is released by by Polydor.

Janet is one of seven people credited with providing handclaps on LaToya’s track “If You Feel The Funk”. She also co-writes the song “Lovely Is She” with LaToya.

July : Paul Anka invites Michael to visit as a guest of his Carmel by the sea home in Monterey County, California. They spend two weeks together working on songs “Love Never Felt So Good”, “I Never Heard” and “It Don”t Matter To Me”.

July 16 : Epic releases the single “Girlfriend” (written by Paul Mac Cartney) only in the UK.

July 29 : LaToya, Michael, Rebbie, Randy and Jonathan Moffett pose for pictures with the cast of “Blackness” at The Cast at The Circle Theatre in Hollywood.

July 31 : Michael is on the cover of Jet magazine with sister 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  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.

At Ashland, New Hampshire, entertainers Art Harriman and Keith Brush of the Smiff Bros., and Al Gould were playing Good Time Music for the “Day In The Park” Celebration. Jane Fonda shows up with Michael.

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”. Michael, Jackie, Tito, Marlon and Randy attend the presentation with Joe & Katherine, Rebbie, LaToya, Janet and Joe’s mother Crystal Jackson. Michael is also presented a special plaque in “recognition of 4 Top ten singles from the album Off The Wall”. Later the Jackson family has dinner at Chasen’s restaurant in West Hollywood.

September 17 + 18 + 19 + 25 + 26 : The Jacksons give 5 concerts at the Forum in Inglewood, California.

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.

November : Janet joins the cast of  “Diff’rent Strokes” sitcom on NBC. She plays the character of Charlene DuPrey, Willy’s girlfriend.

She also performs “Night Time Lover” on Sold Gold.

November 8 : LaToya performs “If You Feel the Funk” and “Are You Ready” on the Soul Train Show. Janet gives an interview to Don Cornelius on the same show.

November 10 : LaToya performs “If You Feel The Funk” and “Night Time Lover” on Dutch TV show TopPop.

November 12 : Michael attends Stevie Wonder Hotter Than July’s Tour at Madison Square Garden in New York City. At the end of the concerts, he is invited on stage by Stevie and sings “Master Blaster” with Stevie and Gil Scott-Heron.

December 5 : Epic releases “Heartbreak Hotel” 2nd single from the Triumph Album. It will peak at #22 on Hot 100 Billboard.

December 13 : LaToya performs “Night Time Lover” and “If You Feel The Funk” on American Bandstand.

December 31 : “Diff’rent Strokes” ‘s first episode with Janet tirled “first love” airs on NBC.

Previous year : 1979

Following year : 1981

Previous year : 1978

Following year : 1980