Author: Fred Colby

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 06 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Smooth Criminal”.

January 07 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Smooth Criminal”.

January 08 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Hot Fever”.

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 20 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Price Of Fame”.

January 21 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Price Of Fame”.

January 22 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Tomboy”.

January 23 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Price Of Fame”.

January 24 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Price Of Fame”.

January 27 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Price Of Fame”.

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”.

January 28 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Liberian Girl”.

January 29 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Tutning Me Off”.

January 30 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the “song for Epic”. Bill Bottrell on X (December 6, 2024) : “Epic wanted M to do a trio with Tina Turner and Bruce Springsteen. Pretty lame idea, but M was a good soldier and told them I’ll try something. M went away for a few days and John B and I wrote a hook and no lyric and made a quick demo. M got to tell Epic he tried and all was done.” Remains unreleased.

January 31 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the “song for Epic”.

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

February 03 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the “song for Epic”.

February 04 : 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 06 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the “song for Epic”.

February 09 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the “Al Capone”.

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

Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the “Al Capone”.

February 18 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Price Of Fame”.

February 19 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Don’t Be Messin”.

February 20 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Don’t Be Messin”.

February 21 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Price Of Fame”.

February 22 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Hot Fever”.

February 23 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Hot Fever”.

February 24 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Turning Me Off”.

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

February 28 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Bad Girl”.

March 08 : Heart transplant recipient Donna Ashlock visits Michael at Hayvenhurst. She stays for lunch and watches a movie with Michael.

March 09 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Turning Me Off”.

“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.

Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “The Choir Song”.

March 14 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “The Choir Song”.

March 19 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Free”.

March 23 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Florida Groove”.

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.

Michael sends a signed and dated letter to Colin Chilvers detailing the original “Smooth Criminal”short film concept. Michael’s original concept for Moonwalker was far different to the one we know and love. The original title was ‘The Smooth Criminal Story’ and was to based around the song title of the same name and would sit neatly inside Moonwalker as an extended piece. In entering the world of film for the second time, this time as the creator, producer and brains behind the project and in 1985 under the business ‘Smooth Pictures’, Michael began developing a story that was unique for its time and would have been amazing to watch. As a starting point, Michael had placed himself as a kitchen worker in a cabaret club. (Yes, Michael Jackson as a chef!). The owner of the club, ‘Annie’ is a performer at the club and also its owner who was supporting of her kitchen worker’s dreams of becoming a star. However those dreams are put on hold when, for un-stated reasons the police burst in to Annie’s club searching for Michael. Annie is knocked down in the process. (-Annie, are you ok?)

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 20 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Fly Away”.

April 21 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Fly Away”.

April 22 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Fly Away”.

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.

Janet is on the cover of Right On ! magazine with a new picture from a photoshoot with Tony Viramontes.

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. For the first time, Michael is seen in public with a surgical mask.

May 09 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Do You Know Where You Children Are”.

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

Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Do You Know Where You Children Are”.

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

May 15 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Do You Know Where You Children Are”.

May 16 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Do You Know Where You Children Are”.

May 19 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the songs “Fly Away” and “Speed Demon”.

May 20 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Speed Demon”.

May 21 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the songs “Florida Groove” and “Trash Can Song”.

May 22 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Speed Demon”.

May 23 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Florida Groove”.

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

May 26 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Speed Demon”.

May 27 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Speed Demon”.

May 28 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on a “new song”.

May 30 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Sunset Driver”.

May 31 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Sunset Driver”.

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 .

June 18 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Speed Demon”.

June 19 : Los Angeles Times : “A baby giraffe has been removed from the backyard of singer Michael Jackson’s home in Encino on orders of state game officials pending a hearing on the singer’s application to add the animal to his private zoo. The fate of the 6-month-old giraffe, which was brought to California from Missouri without a permit, will be determined at the June 27 hearing in Sacramento, said Lt. Donald Wilkins of the state Fish and Game Department. “Michael loves animals,” said Norman Winters, the singer’s publicist, “and he loves to play with them when he’s home.” Winters said the giraffe, if allowed, would join a chimpanzee, llamas, exotic deer, snakes and other animals already in the private zoo at Jackson’s estate. Under threat of seizure, the giraffe was moved to a state-licensed holding facility last week until the five-member Fish and Game Commission determines its fate, Wilkins said.”

June 20 : He’ll Never, Ever Tell

Michael invites the Sherman Brothers, Disney’s famous songwriting team and two men who work at Disney (Mike Bonifer and Cardon ) to Haybenhurst for a lunch and a tour of the property. They also get to meet Bubbles. “As we are walking downstairs to his recording studio, where we’ll see the lyrics for Smooth Criminal hand-written on the score sheet he’ll be recording later that evening”.

July : While Michael is still working at the Hayvenhurst studio with John Barnes, Matt Forger and Bill Bottrell, another team led by Quincy Jones and Bruce Swedien start working on songs such as “Bad” at the Westlake studio.

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 8 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Florida Groove” aka “Streetwalker”.

July 9 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Florida Groove” aka “Streetwalker”.

July 10 : Recording session at Westlake Studios. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Smooth Criminal”.

July 11 : Recording session at Westlake Studios . MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Smooth Criminal”.

July 12 : Recording session at Westlake Studios. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Smooth Criminal”.

July 14 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Fly Away”.

July 15 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio + Westlake studios. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Smooth Criminal”.

July 16 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio + Westlake studios. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Smooth Criminal”.

July 18 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” (basic track).

July 19 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” (OD’s).

July 20 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” (background vocals).

July 21 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” (lead vocals).

July 22 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” (soprano vocals).

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.

Late July : Michael attends a showcase for acts signed at Joe Jackson’s management company at the Roxy in Los Angeles and he poses for a picture with Joe.

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 24 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Don’t Be Messin’Round”.

August 25 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Don’t Be Messin’Round”.

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. That same evening, Michael attends a dinner at Bernstein’s for his 68th birthday. They pose for pictures together with Quincy Jones.

August 26 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Don’t Be Messin’Round”.

August 30 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on a “new song”.

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

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 : Michael records the song “Bad” as a solo vocalist.

October 1 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on a “new song”.

October 3 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Leave Me Alone”.

October 4 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Streetwalker”.

October 11 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Streetwalker”.

October 14 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Leave Me Alone”.

October 15 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Leave Me Alone”.

October 25 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Don’t Be Messin’Round”.

October 26 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Come Together”.

October 27 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Come Together”.

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.

October 29 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Come Together”.

October 30 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Come Together”.

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.

Michael is spotted at Disneyland Los Angeles where he sees Captain EO.

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)

-Munich (Germany) : Janet & Rene tape a performance of “Control” in Studio Hall 10 on the Bavaria Film grounds in Geiselgasteig, a district located in the town of Grünwald, just south of Munich, Germany. The performance airs on November 18, 1986 on German TV show Formel Eins.

-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”.

November 04 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on a “rap song”.

November 05 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on a “rap song”.

November 07 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on a “rap song”.

Mid-November : Michael checks in 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 1 : Print proof for the original Bad album cover.

December 14 : Michael attends the event organized by the Friends of the Hebrew University in Israel in Los Angeles, during which Steven Spielberg is presented with the prestigious Scopus Award, recognizing his professional excellence and humanitarian actions. Barbra Streisand, Whoopi Goldberg and Quincy Jones are also among the guests.

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.

The storyline of “Capatin Eo” is conceived by four Disney “imagineers” during a four-day brainstorming session in February, 1985. “We were asked to come up with some concepts to go with three elements,” said Rick Rothschild, of Walt Disney Imagineering in Florida. “The elements were George Lucas, Michael Jackson and 3-D.” Rothschild said he and his colleagues came up with three concepts and pitched them to Disney Chairman Michael Eisner, Lucas and Jackson on Valentine’s Day. They all agreed that day, he said, to go with the one they had called “The Intergalactic Music Man.” It was changed to “Captain EO” after Coppola was brought in as director. (It’s from the Greek word eos , which means dawn.)

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-09-10-ca-13189-story.html

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

Michael goes to Disneyland with friends.

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 goes antiques shopping in London. Later that day, he 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.

April 29 : An early draft of the script prepared for Captain EO at Disneyland.is sent to MJ. The 11-page script is dated April 29, 1985 and features many notable differences from the final film including the “pink elephant-like creature called Hooter.” The script comes contained inside a 3-D program featuring imagery of Michael Jackson and the names of Imagineers who contributed to the musical motion picture space adventure.

May 10 : La Toya gives an interview on South Florida TV to promote her make up line.

Michael visits Brandywine River Museum’s exhibit of paintings by N.C Wyeth in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. He is the guest of Andy Wyeth . The singer wishes for the painter to create a portrait of him. George Weymouth, a friend and member of the Wyeth family, acts as an intermediary. As a curator of the Brandywine River Museum, where the meeting took place, he suggests a small carriage ride to the King of Pop that day. Michael and his entourage (including Bill Bray, Frank Dileo, and John Branca), along with Andy Wyeth and his son Jamie, gather at the Big Bend mansion.

May 11 : LaToya attends a beauty seminar in South Florida to promote her make up line.

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.

May 29 : Michael visits Ewoks, Battle For Endor movie set.

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.

La Toya start recording sessions for her new album.

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.

Michael starts shooting the Captain Eo short film at Laird International Studios 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 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 17 : Michael is filming the first scene of Captain Eo in the spaceship.

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 1 : Recording studio session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Smooth Criminal”.

October 2 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Smooth Criminal”.

October 3 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Hot Fever” (later known as “The Way You Make Me Feel”.

October 4 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Smooth Criminal”.

October 5 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Smooth Criminal”.

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 08 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Tomboy”.

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

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

November 28 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work with Roger Troutman (guitar).

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 02 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger work on the song “Tomboy”.

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!

December 30 : Recording session at Michael’s Hayvenhurst home studio. MJ, Bill Bottrell, John Barnes and Matt Forger record vocals for an unspecified song.

Previous year : 1984

Following year : 1986

Michael launches his own company MJJ PRODUCTIONS with Bill Bray & Miko Brando as first full time employees.

Janet & Latoya make a photoshoot together at Hayvenhurst.

January 10 : Michael visits the burn center at Brotman Memorial Center Hospital in Culver City. Michael meets Keith Perry, a 23-year-old young man whose body was burned over 95% following a car accident.

January 16 : Michael, Janet & LaToya attend the American Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles with Brooke Schields and Emmanuel Lewis.

MJ wins an unprecedented eight awards including the special award of Merit presented by Diana Ross. The ceremony is watched by over sixty millions people.

January 23 : “Thriller”, the seventh and last single from the album is released by Epic. It will peak at #4 on Hot 100 Billboard.

“Thriller” becomes the first album with 7 Top 10 singles on Billboard.

January 24 + 25 : Michael & The Jacksons shoot a Pepsi commercial named “Street” directed by Bob Giraldi and featuring the group dancing in the street with a bunch of kids (including Alfonso Ribeiro & Siggy Jackson) on a Pepsi version of Billie Jean.

January 26 : “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell Gordy featuring Michael on the title track is released by Motown.

January 27 : It is announced that Jackie Onassis will publish Michael’s autobiography.

Michael poses for pictures during a photoshoot with Michael Leshnov at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles where The Jacksons filming of a second Pepsi commercial named “Concert” and directed by Bob Giraldi.

Later, a pyrotechnic failure causes an accident. Michael suffers second and third degree scalp burns. He is saved by Miko Brando and is rushed to to Cedar Sinai Medical Center where his arrival causes a media frenzy. All the Jackson family joins him at the hospital. Later that night, Michael is moved to Brotman Memorial Hospital for treatment at the burn center.

January 28 : Suffering from second- and third-degree burns, Michael calls Dr. Steven Hoefflin to his bedside. The doctor’s verdict comes quickly: “Partial baldness is to be feared. After a few days, or even a few weeks, depending on the depth of the injuries, Michael will undergo reconstructive surgery. Michael is released from the hospital and goes to Emmanuel Lewis’s home to recover from the accident. But before leaving the hospital, Michael visited patients in the ward. He once again visits Bessie Henderson and Keith Perry, who had just undergone his fourteenth operation.

February : Janet & LaToya are on the cover of Right On! magazine.

February 1 : Michael receives an official letter from US President Reagan wishing him a speedy recovery.

February 5 : Michael makes his first public appearance since his burn injury when he visits the Los Angeles zoo with Emmanuel Lewis.

February 6 : Michael & Emmanuel Lewis are on the cover of Jet magazine.

Michael arrives in NYC with Janet and they check in the Hemsley Palace.

Michael befriends Dominic Cascio, a banquet manager at the Hemsley Palace Hotel. Dominic introduces Michael to his wife Connie and children Frank (5) and Eddie (3). Later Michael visits the Cascios at their family home in Hawthorne, New Jersey.

February 7 : Michael goes to the New York Metropolitan Museum of Natural History to receive awards from CBS & The Guineess Book Of World Records to celebrates Thriller as the largest-selling album of all time (25 millions at the time) Among the many guest are Michael’s date for the evening Brooke Schields, Andy Warhol & the whole Jackson family (including LaToya, Rebbie & Janet).

February 8 : Michael attends the Tap Dance Kid musical at the Broadhurst Theatre in NYC with Sean Lennon.

February 9 : Michael is photographed leaving Hemsley Palace in NYC sporting the Thriller videos varsity jacket, and the Billie Jean fedora.

At night, Michael attends the premiere of The Rink (musical) at the Martin Beck Theater on Broadway and he poses for pictures with Liza Minnelli only moments before she goes in stage.

February 10 : Michael and Yul Brynner pose for pictures at the Studio 54 in NYC.

February 18 : Michael and Emmanuel Lewis have dinner at The Golden Temple, a vegetarian restaurant in Los Angeles. Michael poses for pictures with 8 months old baby Elijah, son of David Wallechinsky.

February 26 : Katherine, LaToya, Janet & Michael attend the premiere of Pepsi’s Jacksons commercial at a black-tie event for 1000 bottlers at New York City’s Lincoln Center. Michael gets on stage with Alfonso Ribeiro who also appeared on the commercials. They dance together for a few seconds.

Janet appears in Diff’rent Strokes episode titled “The Wedding Part 2”

February 27 : Michael & Brooke Schields are on the cover of Jet magazine

The Pepsi commercials are previewed on MTV.

Michael flies back to L.A.

February 28 : In the company of Brooke Schields & Emmanuel Lewis, Michael attends the Grammy Awards ceremony broadcast live from the Shrine Auditorium of Los Angeles. He wins an unprecedented 8 awards. On stage he shares his triumph with producer Quincy Jones and even invites his sisters Janet, LaToya & Rebbie to joins him. The Jacksons Pepsi commercials are aired during the telecast and become the most popular ads ever!

During the night, a businessman called Jack Gordon introduces himself to the family. Soon after, Gordon shows interet to LaToya and to get closer to her je befriends Joe & Katherine.

February 29 : At the first annual Black Gold Awards, produced by Dick Clark, Michael is presented four awards. He does not attend the ceremony but accepts them in a pre recorded video taped at Hayvenhurst. Janet is presented with the hottest female newcomer of the year award at the Black Gold Awards in Los Angeles (with a video congratulations from Michael).

March : Michael is on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

“Eat It”, a parody of ‘Beat It’ by “Weird Al” Yankovic is released.

March 5 : Latoya attends the 2nd Annual American Video Awards Nominees Announcement at Kathy Gallagher’s Restaurant in Los Angeles,

March 19 : Michael is on the cover of TIME magazine with a nine page article. The cover was made by Andy Warhol.

March 20 : Michael hires Frank Dileo, Vice President of Promotions at Epic as his new manager.

March 23 : Michael appears on the cover of Jet magazine.

March 29 : The Jackson family selects Frank Russo to run the Victory Tour in association with Danny’O Donovan.

April : Jermaine Jackson’s first album for Arista contains a new duet with Michael titled “Tell Me I’m Not Dreamin” but Epic does not give permission to Arista to release it as a single.

Michael undergoes his third plastic surgery on his nose.

April 2 : Michael visits Disneyland in Anaheim, California and poses for pictures with Mickey & Minnie.

April 5 : LaToya attends the 2nd Annual American Video Awards.

April 9 : David Smithee, a terminally ill child is invited to visit Michael at the Encino family house thanks to the Make A Wish Foundation.

Liza Minnelli accompanies Michael to Swifty Lazar’s Oscar Night Party but after a short stay, they go on to visit Liza’s father director Vincente Minnelli.

April 13 : Quincy Jones introduces Franck Sinatra to Michael during the recording session of “L.A. Is My Lady”.

April 14 : Michael attends the “TJ Martell Foundation Annual Gala” which serves to raise funds for research & innovative treatments in the fight against leukemia, cancer and AIDS. Michael presents Tony Martell with a check for $500,000 for the Foundation.

April 16 : The rehearsals for the Jacksons ’ Victory Tour begins at the Zoetrope Studios, owned by Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas and located at 1040 North Las Palmas Avenue in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles.

April 17 : Michael undergoes reconstructive scalp surgery at Brotman Memorial Hospital. Plastic surgeon Dr. Steven Hoefflin performs revolutionary laser surgery on Michael to repair damage he suffered to his scalp during the filming of a Pepsi commercial. After surgery, Dr. Hoefflin said : “Michael is doing very well, we covered the damaged area with his own hair and any implant has been required. Now he needs to rest and the operation will help him. Michael poses for pictures with the medical team.

April 24 : LaToya is a guest on Good Morning America with Barbara Walters.

April 27 : At Hayvenhurst, Snow White and the seven dwarfs visit Michael. They pose for pictures and film a video together. ​During one of his visits to Disneyland, Michael noticed a series of small statues of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs that had been created for the Emporium store on Main Street, U.S.A., and he expressed a desire to acquire them. Typically, Disneyland did not sell these statues, but they made an exception for Michael Jackson.​ Before shipping them to the singer’s residence, Disneyland added a beautiful display case with a wooden base to showcase the precious figurines. They also decided to turn the delivery into a special event, arranging for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs themselves to personally deliver the set to MJ.

May : Michael is on the cover of Ebony magazine.

Motown releases the album “Farewell My Summer Love” a collection of old material from Michael’s solo studio sessions at Motown.

Frank Russo files a $20 millions lawsuit against the Jacksons for going back on their verbal agreement to make him manager of the Victory Tour.

May 04 : Janet appears in Diff’rent Strokes episode titled “The Houseguest”.

May 05 : Michael hosts a surprise party to honour Katherine at the Bistro Garden in Beverly Hills. All the family attends the dinner including Katherine’s father Prince Scruse. Pianist Floyd Cramer flies from Nashville to sing for Katherine. Michael, accompanied by country star Floyd Cramer sings to Katherine the Kris Kristofferson country song “For the Good Times” and offers her a Rolls Royce! The whole event is videotaped. In her 1990 memoirs, Katherine wrote : “When we walked into one of the restaurant’s private rooms, I was astonished to see the whole family there — even my father, whom the children had secretly flown in from Indiana. ‘Surprise!’ they shouted, as tears streamed down my face. The children had even hired Floyd Cramer, one of my favorite Country Western artists (who came straight from Nashville), to play the music.”

May 08 : Michael attends a performance of “Cats” musical at Winter Garden Theatre in Broadway, New York.

Later that week, Michael attends a performance of “Oliver” at Mark Hellinger Theatre in NYC. Backstage, he poses for pictures with the cast including Patti Lupone.

During this same week, Michael & Mick Jagger record the song “State Of Shock” at the A&R Recording in NYC.

May 11 : Michael attends a Kool and The Gang concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York City accompanied by Tatum O’Neal heavily disguised in a beard and afro wig!

May 12 : Michael visits Shirley MacLaine backstage after her Broadway performance in Playbill “Shirley MacLaine on Broadway” at the George Gershwin Theatre in New York.

May 14 : President Reagan presents a Special Achievement Award to Michael in a garden ceremony at the White House in Washington D.C. Michael attends the presentation with Frank Dileo, John Branca and publicist Noman Winter.

Mid-May : Michael attends his first full-band, pre-tour rehearsal at the Zoetrope Studios in Los Angeles.

May 21 : The Jacksons are on the cover of Jet magazine.

May 24 : LaToya is a guest on American Bandstand’s Dance Contest”.

May 28 : Janet & LaToya appear on the cover of Jet magazine.

June : Janet graduates from high school and decides not to go to College.

Michael meets with other supporters of Camp Good Times in Malibu such as OJ Simpson, Dustin Hoffman, David Soul, Neil Diamond & Richard Chamberlain.

June 2 : Michael, with Jane Fonda, goes to her Laurel Springs Camp for underprivileged children in Santa Barbara to unveil “The Michael Jackson Children’s Theatre.”

June 5 : The Victory Tour contract is signed by Don King, Chuck Sullivan and Joe & Katherine Jackson.

June 9 : Michael attends the unveiling of a wax statue of himself at The Guinness Museum of World Records in San Francisco.

June 18 : “State Of Shock”, the first single from the “Victory” album, a duet between Michael & Mick Jagger, is released. It’s an instant success even though no video is shot for the song. It will peak at #3 on Hot 100 Billboard.

June 21 : It is announced that Jackie will not be able to tour due to emergency knee surgery. When Enid found out that Jackie cheated on her with Paula Abdul, she drove over him which caused a knee injury…

June 26 : Michael and his brothers arrive in Birmingham for secret pre-tour rehearsals. They rehearse here from June 27 to July 04.

June 30 : LaToya and Howard Hewett sing “Heart Don’t Lie.” LaToya  sings “Bet’cha Gonna Need My Lovin’ on American Bandstand.

July : Janet joins the cast of musical TV show “Fame” on NBC. She plays the part of Cleo Hewitt. She also starts recording a second album for A&M.

LaToya’s 3rd studio album titled “Heart Don’t Lie” is released by Epic Records.

July 1 : The Jackson have a full dress rehearsal of the “Victory” show at BJCC Colisuem in Birmingham.

July 2 : The album “Victory” is released by Epic. For the first time, the 6 brothers are reunited with the return of Jermaine. It will peak at #4 on Billboard 200.

July 5 : On the eve of Victory’s Tour first concert and after a controversy over the selling of tickets, Michael holds a major press conference in Kansas City with his brothers to announce a change in the tour’s organisation. He announces hat the whole of his share of the proceeds from the Victory Tour will be donated to charity.

July 6+7+8 : The Jacksons kick off the Victory Tour at the arrowhead stadium in in Kansas City (Missouri)

The whole Jackson family + Reverend Jesses Jackson attend the concerts.

July 13 : First concert at the Texas Stadium in Irving, (Dallas county) attended by Prince & Emmanuel Lewis among others. Eddie Van Halen joins Michael on stage to play his solo guitar on Beat It.

July 14 : Second concert at the Texas Stadium in Irving, (Dallas county).

July 15 : Third concert at the Texas Stadium in Irving, (Dallas county).

July 16 : Michael is on the cover of Newsweek.

July 16-19 : Mark Bego’s 1984 book On The Road With Michael: “Fans hounded Anatole’s hotel in Dallas so much that Michael took off and spent three days with his friend—former child star Spanky McFarland of the original “Our Gang” movies.” MJ stays for three days at his country home outside Dallas.

July 20 : Publicity of the Michael Jackson doll begins.

From Mark Bego’s book “On The Road With Michael, 1984 :
“On Friday night, July 20, I received a phone call from Jay Moore from radio station WIVY, whom I had met that morning. According to Jay, two friends of his who own bookstores in the San Marco area of Jacksonville, stores which specialize in rare and out-of-print books and magazines, had each had a very interesting visitor—a young black man with an obviously false mustache, a baggy gray suit, dark glasses, and a dark hat pulled down over his eyes. The mysterious young man was accompanied by two burly football linebacker-sized bodyguards, and in a soft voice asked to be shown where the children’s and religious books were located. Need I say more? It was naturally none other than Michael Jackson himself, out on another one of his famous incognito shopping sprees.
On Saturday afternoon Jay took me over to meet both store owners. According to Mike Blauer of the San Marco Book Store, he had his suspicions about the identity of his oddly dressed customer, which were confirmed after he spoke to him. Said Blauer, “After about ten minutes of us just wondering out loud, I walked up to his two assistants, just like I do to other customers, and I just said, ‘Are there any particular books I can help you find?’ and I turned the corner and Jackson was standing looking at my various books on plays. I said, ‘Can I help you with any books?” He said [Blauer used a high pitched voice], ‘Oh, no thank you, I’m just looking.’” After Blauer heard the familiar voice, he knew for sure that it was the real Michael Jackson. According to Blauer, the bodyguards stuck very close to Jackson the entire, time he was in the store. Michael spent part of his time sitting cross-legged on the floor, browsing through a couple of art books. Michael and his bodyguards then went next door to an interior decorating store, and it seems that Michael was most amused by a framed, autographed picture of his friend Brooke Shields that hung in the shop.
After the visit to the bookstore, Mike Blauer located a first-edition copy of the play Peter Pan and sent it over to the hotel where the Jackson crew was staying, with a note which said, “Is this what you were looking for?” Blauer never heard back from Jackson and was left with nothing more than an amusing story to tell his customers.”

July 21+22+23 : Concerts at the Gator Bowl stadium in Jacksonville.

July 23 : Janet appears on the cover of Jet Magazine.

July 29+30+31 : Concerts at the Giants stadium in East Rutherford (New Jersey) attended by Katherine, Janet, Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon, Dominic, Connie, Frank & Eddie Cascio among others.

August 1 : At Hemsley Palace in NY, MJ is presented with a T-shirt and a plaque from Rev. Al Sharpton,president of the National Youth Movement (NYM), stating that needy children and minorities contributed to the success of the Victory Tour.

August 4 : Michael welcomes several guests at his suite at the Statler Hilton (aka Pennsylvania Hotel) in New York City. Among the guests are Andy Warhol, Keith Harring Sean Lennon, Susan Blond and Rosanna Arquette

Concert at the Madison Square Garden in New York City attended by many celebrities such as Madonna Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Mayor Koch, Cyndi Lauper, Brooke Schields, Bette Midler or Emmanuel Lewis. Michael meets Madonna after the show and they pose for a picture together.

During his stay in New York , Michael has dinner with Katherine Hepburn at her city townhouse.

August 5 : Second concert at the Madison Square Garden in New York City. Janet attends the concert.

August 10 : First concert at the Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.

August 11 : Second concert at the Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.

August 12 : Third concert at the Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. Leslie Robinette visits MJ backstage and they pose for pictures together.

August 13 : “Don’t Stand Another Chance” is released at the 1st single from “Dream Street”. Janet does not shoot a video for this song.

In NYC, The Jacksons are scheduled to begin shooting the ‘Torture’ video, directed by Jeff Stein.
Reports appear in the NY Daily News about problems which occur during production of the Torture video at the Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens, New York. An argument apparently breaks out between Michael and his brothers, resulting in neither Michael nor Jermaine participating in the video. Stand-ins perform Michael’s dance sequences, and a wax figure is used for close-ups.

August 17 : First concert at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, located roughly 26 miles (41.8 km) northwest of downtown Detroit, Michigan.

August 18 : Second concert at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac (Michigan).

August 19 :  Michael goes the Pontiac City Hall with a troop of police officers. Michael’s cameramen film them escorting him down the steps and into a police car. According to the source. Captain Robert Burns has organized the video shooting upon Michael’s request for his personal home movies.

Third concert at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac (Michigan).

August 20-24 : Michael visits Disneyworld with Emmanuel Lewis, Sean Lennon & Jonathan Spence in Orlando (Florida). During this visit, Michael makes a photoshoot with Lynn Goldsmith at the Epcot Center.

August 23 : While in Orlando, Florida, Michael takes a balloon ride. Joe Kittinger, transported Michael.

August 25 : LaToya performs “Heart Don’t Lie” on Solid Gold.

August 25+26 : Concerts at the Buffalo Rich Stadium in Orchad Park.

August 31 : Janet performs Don’t Stand Another Chance on Much More Music in Toronto, Canada.

September : Michael is on the cover of Life magazine.

Janet’s second album titled “Dream Street” is released by A&M Records. It will peak at #147 on Billboard 200.

September 1+2 : Concerts at the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) attended by Sly Stone & Bruce Springsteen. Bruce Springsteen visit Michael backstage and they pose for pictures.

September 5 : Frank Dileo holds a press conference to read a statement on behalf of Michael to set the record straight about many rumors.

September 7 : While the Jackson family is on tour, Janet & her boyfriend James DeBarge secretly elope in Grand Rapids (Michigan). Janet only reveals her secret marriage to LaToya but soon the press reveals the wedding. James moves into Hayvenhurst in Janet’s bedroom.

September 7+8 : Concerts at the Mile High Stadium in Denver (Colorado). Michael visits Elton John and spends a few days at the Caribou Ranch with John Barnes where they work on song ideas.

Michael Jackson and producer Jim Guercio, also owner of Caribou Ranch, September 1984 : While Michael Jackson never recorded a complete album at the ranch studio, he did record some music and also cherished his time on the ranch. He visited while on his famous Victory Tour in 1984, and instructed his bodyguards to go back to Denver, saying he didn’t need them. “He put on Levis and a cowboy hat and went horseback riding, and just hung out,” John Carsello, manager of the ranch, says. “He was really cool. I remember we gave him a toy yo-yo and we were teaching him tricks with it. People like that would sometimes just come by. It was great.” Despite Jackson using his time on the ranch to unwind, Carsello called the pop star a workhorse, and recalls the makeshift dance floor the staff constructed for Jackson with pieces of plywood and linoleum so he could practice his dancing in the studio. Source: thirstcolorado.com

September 8 : LaToya performs “Hot Potato” on Solid Gold.

September 11 : The single “Centipede” by Rebbie Jackson is released on Colombia Records. The song is written and produced by Michael who also sings backing vocals. It will peak at #24 on Hot 100 Billboard. Rebbie shoots a music video but Michael does not appear in it.

September 14 : Michael wins three awards at the first annual MTV Video Music Awards but does not attend the ceremony. Diana Ross accepts the awards for Michael.

September 15 : Michael goes shopping with Quincy Jones in Montreal.

In Los Angeles, Janet performs her new single “Don’t Stand Another Chance” + “Dream Street”  on American Bandstand.

“Two To The Power Of Love” is released at the 2nd single from “Dream Street”. Janet does not shoot a video for this song.

September 16 : Michael attends Sunday service at the Kingdom Hall in Montreal.

First concert at the Canada Montreal Olympic Stadium in Montreal (Canada). During the last song, Jackie joins the brothers on stage for the first time during the tour.

September 17 : Second concert at the Canada Montreal Olympic Stadium in Montreal (Canada).

September 19 : Michael attends “Zorba” starring Anthony Quinn and Lila Kedrova at the Kennedy Center Opera House in in Washington, D.C

September 21 : First concert at the United States RFK Stadium in Washington D.C.

September 22 : Second concert at the United States RFK Stadium in Washington D.C.

September 28 : First concert at the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania).

September 29 : Second concert at the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania).

Season 4 premiere of “Fame” featuring Janet is aired on NBC.In the first episode Janet/Cleo performs  her new single “Two To The Power Of Love” with Jesse Borrego taking Cliff Richard’s place.

September 30 : The single “Torture” is released by Epic. It’s a duet between Michael & Jermaine but none of them participates to the video! It will peak at #17 on Hot 100 Billboard.

October : Michael takes Emmanuel Lewis to Wet’N Wild Park, a water park in Orlando. They take a balloon ride.

October 5+6+7 : Concerts at the Exhibition Stadium in Toronto, Canada.

October 10 : Rebbie’s debut album titled “Centipede” is released.

October 12+13+14 : Concerts at the Comiskey Park in Chicago.

October 19+20 : Concerts at the Municipal Stadium in Cleveland.

October 23 : “Fast Girls” is released at the 3rd single from “Dream Street”. Janet does not shoot a video for this song.

Janet gives an interview on the Bryant Gumbel show.

October 27 :  In Fame new episode “The Heart Of Rock N Roll”, Janet/Cleo performs “Don’t Stand Another Chance”.

October 29+30 : Concerts at the Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta.

November : Michael is on the cover of People Extra.

Janet & James move into their own  condominium at 12546 The Vista in Brentwood.

November 2+3 : Concerts at the Orange Bowl in Miami.

November 3 : While in Miami for the Victory Tour, Michael visits Barry Gibb, one of the members of the Bee Gees, with whom he is friend. He takes the opportunity to go water skiing.

November 05 : In Miami, Michael meets Jackie Gleason, a prominent American comedian, actor, writer, and musician, best known for his larger-than-life personality and his iconic role as Ralph Kramden in the classic television sitcom The Honeymooners. They have dinner at New York Steak House on upper Biscayne Boulevard and they pose for pictures together.

November 9+10 : Concerts at the Houston Astrodome in Houston (Texas).

Michael sits for Madame Tussauds sculptor Jim Mathieson.

November 10 :  Janet performs “Don’t Stand Another Chance” on the Soul Train Show.

November 16+17+18 : Concerts at the BC Place in Vancouver, Canada.

November 18 : Michael is made an honorary member of the new West Minister Police Department while in British Colombia.

November 20 : 5000 fans turn out to see Michael at the unveiling of his Hollywood Boulevard Star on the Walk Of Fame.

“Dream Street” is released to radios as the 4th & final single from “Dream Street’. Due to low sales of the album A&M cancel the released of the single. A music video is shot later as part of “Fame” storyline but it was never played on MTV or used as promotional video for the single.

November 21 : The single “Body” is released as the 4th and final single from “Victory” by Epic. Michael does not appear in the video. It will peak at #47 on Hot 100 Billboard.

November 30 + December 1+ 2 : Concerts at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

December : Michael is on the cover of Ebony and magazines.

Michael appears in the video LA is my lady produced by Quincy Jones for Frank Sinatra.

Michael visits Steven Spielbeg on the set of The Goonies movie and befriends the young actor Corey Feldman.

Michael invites Elizabeth Taylor and her family to his concert at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles but Elizabeth leaves the stadium midway during his performance :  “I went to a concert and I couldn’t see a thing. I was way up,” Elizabeth recalled, “in a stadium.” Actually, she was seated in a special glass-enclosed VIP section that apparently didn’t give her the best sight lines. “I couldn’t see a thing and I brought thirty people, and we couldn’t even hear. So we went home to watch it on television by disc. “Michael heard that I had left halfway through and called me the next day and was like in tears ’cause he’d heard I had walked out,” Taylor said. “I hadn’t walked out. I just couldn’t see anything. And then we talked on the phone for about three hours. From there on in, we talked more and more on the phone.” Later this month, Elizabeth invites Michael to her home in Bel Air. Michael returns the invitation for a dinner at Hayvenhurst. This is the beginning of a lifelong special friendship…

December 2 : Michael sits down for a three hour interview recorded on tape for his memoirs.

December 6 : Michael is in Chicago to testify in court that he did write the song  “The Girl Is Mine”.

December 7+8+9 : The Jacksons play their last Victory Tour concerts at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles . During the last song of the last concert, Janet, LaToya & Rebbie join the group on stage with all the nieces and nephews to dance all together.

Michael announces on stage that this concert is the “last curtain call” from The Jacksons.

During 55 concerts attended by over 2 million people, the tour grossed a record $75 million!

December 13 : Michael attends a formal ceremony at Brotman Memorial Hospital. Following his accident, Pepsi awarded him compensation of one and a half million dollars, which the singer donated directly to the burn unit to improve patients’ daily lives and support research into burn treatments. The center is then renamed The Michael Jackson Burn Center.

December 22 : Rebbie performs on “American Banstand” Christmas Special.

December 23 : Michael Jackson Rock’s Thriller, a radio special show airs an exclusive interview of Michael by american journalist Laura Gross.

Previous year : 1983

Following year : 1985

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 : At his home recording studio in Hayvenhurst, Michael starts working on new songs written by Buz Kohan for a Peter Pan movie project with Steven Spielberg : “Neverland Landing”, “Make a Wish”, “I’m Peter Pan” and “Happy Song”.

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. Soon later, Michael meets record producer and songwriter Bill Bottrell. Barnes, Bottrell and Matt Forger will become Michael’s close musical team for the next four years.

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 : Queen are at the Record Plant in LA to record their album “The Works”, and on one of the days shortly before the first recording session begin, Freddie and his assistant Peter Freestone visit MJ at Hayvenhurst. Togeher they record three demos : “State Of Shock”, “Victory” and “There Must Be More To Life Than This”.

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.

Michael gives a radio interview to De Ann Collins (KMJQ/Houston’s News & Public Affair Director) at Hayvenhurst. It’s broadcasted on radio stations around the US.

Daily Mirror competition winner Susan Coburn meets Michael at Hotel Coronado in San Diego with Jonathan Morrish. Michael invites Daily Mirror reporter, Jonathan Morrish and his wife to Hayvenhurst the day after. Michael introduces them to his pets Louie the llama and Muscles as he gives them a personally conducted tour of his security guarded California home.

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 with John Barnes and Bill Bray. James invites him on stage to sing and dance! Later that night Prince also comes on stage!

August 22 : A picture published in Jet magazine shows Michael at the bedside of Bessie Henderson, a 41-year-old seamstress, accompanied by Dr. Hoefflin at the Brotman Memorial Hospital in Culver City. “Bessie had undergone numerous operations and was very depressed,” reported Hoefflin, the young woman’s plastic surgeon. “When Michael started calling her, things changed and she got much better.”

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.

In the October 3, 1983, issue of the New York Post, columnist Cindy Adams reports : “Michael Jackson, the 25-year-old hottest name in music whose last album sold 14 million copies, is getting back together with his old family, The Jackson Five. Boxing promoter Don King has just promoted this knockout of deal to launch his own entrance into the music business…. In six months King did what Kismet couldn’t d in five years. He signed all the Jacksons to go on to together…. This, possibly the biggest concert tour eve will be in ’84. It’ll be 40 dates. It’ll kick off domesticall then go international. It will be sponsored by one of largest corporations in the United States.”

October 4 : Michael & Paul shoot the video in a little town called Los Alamos, about 70 miles from LA. Latoya Jackson & Linda Mac Cartneyare feautured in the short film. During the filming, Michael stays at Sycamore Valley Ranch who will one day become his Neverland Valley Ranch. The first shot is just of Paul, Linda and Michael looking over a truck. After being made up and in costume, Paul and Linda are on set, when it’s “Lights, action!” just like in the movies. It all goes well that first morning, except that one of the grips falls off a ladder, and is a bit shaken, so we break for lunch early. He’s okay, though, just a slightly sprained wrist. The local girls have laid on this beautiful barbeque for lunch. After lunch, Paul, Linda and Michael go out to meet a bunch of local school kids who’d come down with their headmaster. They all sign autographs and chat to the kids. After lunch, we move on up to the orphanage to film a scene. Paul and Linda’s daughter, Heather, is in this scene.

October 5 : Second day of filming for the “Say Say Say” short film.

October 6 : Last day of shooting—the scene in the warehouse/studio where the “Mac & Jack Show” really gets underway, with Paul and Michael dancing around in check suits. The “Fred Astaire” routine with the top hat goes a bit wrong when Paul’s top hat keeps sticking to his head! Anyway it’s all sorted out, and Paul goes into costume as the magician with his magic cauldron.

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 : At his home recording studio in Hayvenhurst, Michael starts working on new songs for the upcoming “Victory” album including “Be Not Always”, “Buffalo Bill”, “State Of Shock”,”Chicago 1945″, “Dream Away”, “Dirty Diana” and “Liberian Girl”.

Michael records a new version of “Billie Jean” for the upcoming Pepsi commercials at the Soundcastle studio with Bill Bottrell and John Barnes.

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.

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), his brothers and his sisters in law. Also present are singing stars Patti LaBelle, Roberta Flack, noted actors Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, Andy Warhol, Peter Max 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 spends two weeks at Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida. He stays at the Hotel Royal Plaza where his suite is named the Michael Jackson suite.

During his stay, MJ records new songs with George Atwell, the organist and composer-in-residence at the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. In June 2009, after Michael’s passing, the musician shared memories of his collaboration with the King of Pop on the website orlandosentinel.com. Atwell worked on a few of Michael’s songs (which, to his knowledge, were never released) in the private suite the singer was occupying at Disney’s Royal Plaza. The elevator kept ringing all night as curious fans tried to get to the upper floor to catch a glimpse of the King of Pop. “After the release and success of Thriller, Michael Jackson came on vacation to Orlando and, through mutual musician friends in Los Angeles and Orlando, he asked us to help him produce four demos of songs he had in mind. I was the in-house producer at Bee Jay Recording Studios in Orlando at the time, and we gathered some keyboards, a LinnDrum machine (which played sampled drum sounds), a guitar, and a bass, and the four of us went to meet him at the Royal Plaza Hotel (on the 13th floor). He was extremely kind, polite, and concerned about whether we were okay, if we were too tired, if we were hungry, etc. He was working with Pepsi at the time, and the first thing we saw in the sink were three large bottles of Pepsi… a true sponsor! Since Michael couldn’t read music, he took each of us, one by one, into a room and worked on each part until he got exactly what he wanted to hear. He would sing the part, we’d play it, then we’d tweak it, change expressions, chord structures, etc., until he said, ‘Yes, that’s it!’ There was a guard sitting outside his room, and while we worked into the early hours of the morning, we could hear the elevator bell ringing. All night long, fans were trying to get close to Michael. They tried to bribe the guard by any means possible (I’ll let you imagine how!) to get in, but of course, they never succeeded. We worked on the tracks at the hotel. He later took everything to the recording studio, where we laid down all the tracks and he sang over them. What I remember most about those sessions was that vocally, he never missed a beat! The only times the tape had to be rewound were when the engineer was late on a take or when there was a technical issue. He sang the lead vocals and all three backing vocal parts, recording each part three times, flawlessly. He didn’t sit at a piano to work out the harmonies (as is usually done); he just sang them naturally! His incredible “ear” and the rhythmic precision of his finger snaps while recording the guide tracks for us to follow are forever etched in my brain. There was a very specific groove to the rhythm, and he alone seemed to know how to find it.

At the studio, we were all sitting in the lounge watching the premiere of Thriller on MTV. He was like a kid… he couldn’t believe the video was playing on MTV, that the Thriller album was number one on the charts… all that, even after so many number-one hits he had already had up to that point (he was 24 at the time).”

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

December 8 : 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!

December 21 : Recording session at Hayvenhurst for “Liberian Girl”.

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.

January 17 : Michael joins a star-studded lineup to record the backing vocals for Donna Summer’s song “State of Independence.” It os produced by Quincy Jones and features other artists like Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Dionne Warwick, Kenny Loggins, and James Ingram.

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 LaToya 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-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.

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 12 : Henri Fonda dies at his Los Angeles home from heart disease. Fonda’s wife, Shirlee, his daughter Jane, and his son Peter are at his side that day. Michael spends the evening with Shirlee, Jane and Peter.

August 20 : Bob Colacello, Andy Warhol’s collaborator for his magazine Interview, meets Michael Jackson at his San Fernando condominium while Hayvenhurst is under renovation work. During the interview, Andy Warhol calls Michael. In the interview, MJ reveals that he just had a photoshoot with E.T. This interview 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: 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.

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.

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.

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

December 24 : Michael gives a 35 minutes interview over the telephone from Los Angeles to London to Mark Ellen. The interview is published in the January 6, 1983 issue of UK’s magazine Smash Hits. In the interview, MJ reveals : “I’m gonna work with Steven Spielberg. We’re going to do a film together. He’s just putting the story and ideas together gradually working on ideas.”. MJ also talks about Hayvenhurst : “We have a movie room. I saw a movie last night in our theatre. We have a theatre in the house where we have film shows. It seats like 32 people and if I want to see E.T. or something I just have it ordered, whatever I like to see. We have a library. We have an exercise room… and Disney’s going to do a whole thing for me, The Pirates Of The Caribbean, in a display room. They’re going to have different parts of the Caribbean thing put in my game room. They never do stuff so I felt honoured that they’re going to do it for me. They’re going to put it in.” And his friends in England : “These are the people I visit there: Mark Lester, the McCartneys, I talk to Adam Ant a lot too on the phone. I know Elton. I know a great songwriter called Don Black…”

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 at the Forum 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.

Michael gives an interview to Steve Rosen at Columbia Records’ offices in Century City, CA. Tito & Janet are with him. Michael answers Stephen’s questions through Janet. The interview is made public on May 31, 2021 on Steve Rosen’s YouTube page.

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 in Van Nuys, Calofornia. Rehearsals last for six weeks.

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.

Early July : Dress rehearsals of the Triumph Tour at a soundstage in Hollywood.

July 5 : The Jacksons fly from Los Angeles to Memphis. 6000 fans wait for them at the airport in Memphis.

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 02 : Concert at the Checkerdome in St. Louis.

September 03 : Robert Hilburn interviews Michael and his brothers for the Los Angeles Times on the tour bus from St. Louis to Detroit.

September 04 : The Jacksons perform in Detroit.

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

September 06 : The Jacksons perform at the MECCA Arena in Milwaukee in Wisconsin.

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

September 10 : The Jacksons perform in Denver, Colorado.

September 13 : Michael’s interview with Robert Hilburn is published in the Los Angeles Times.

Concert at the Cow Palace in Daly City located in the San Francisco Bay Area, California.

September 15 : Concert at the ASU Activity Center in Tempe, Arizona.

September 17 : 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 20 : Many celebrities including Magic Johnson, Tatum O’Neal, Margot Kidder, Jody Watley, Dick Clark, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Steven Spielberg, Janet, Prince & Patti Austin attend a party to celebrate the end of the Triumph Tour at the Forum Club. That night, in the middle of the empty seats of the theater, Michael, wearing his uniform, cap, and dark glasses, gives an interview to Scott Osborne for the local channel KNXT, who asks him about his future plans.

September 22 : Concert at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California.

September 23 : Birth of Marlon Jackson Jr, third child of Marlon & Carol.

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

September 25 : Concert at the The Forum in Inglewood, California.

September 26 : Last concert of the Triumph Tour at the The Forum in Inglewood. The whole Jackson family attends the show.

This is the last time Michael ever performs the songs “Ben” and “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” in front of an audience.

Late september : The Jackson family hosts a party at Jackie’s house with the Triumph Tour crew to celebate the end of the tour.

October : The Jacksons are on the cover of Ebony magazine.

The Jacksons work on their first live album, selecting songs from several dates and re recording some vocals and sounds.

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

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 10 : The Jacksons arrive in Honolulu, the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, located in the Pacific Ocean. 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 11 : The Jacksons perform in concert at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu.

January 12 : The Jacksons perform in concert at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu.

January 13 : The Jacksons perform in concert at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu. This is the very last concert of the Destiny Tour. Backstage, Michael, Randy & Marlon give a short interview to a local TV station.

This is the last time Michael ever performs the songs “Get It Together”, “I Am Love”, “Keep on Dancing”, “I Wanna Be Where You Are”, Enjoy Yourself” and “Blame It on the Boogie” in front of an audience.

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 19 : “Rock With You” hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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 : Michael is on the cover of “Black Stars” magazine which features an interview of him at Hayvenhurst by Steve Manning.

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 6 : In the May 6, 1980 issue of Blues and Soul magazine, Michael gives an interview and reveals he is working on the next Jacksons album : “we are thinking of calling the next album “Foundation” , though we’re not sure right now of that”.

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. Singer Barry White and broadcaster Dick Clark are among the guests.

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

January : Michael is on the cover of Rock & Soul Magazine.

The Jacksons rehearse for The Destiny Tour. Their new show include 4 songs from their new album (Things I Do For You, Destiny, All Night Dancin’ & Blame It On The Boogie).

Motown releases Boogie, a collection of unreleased songs from the Jackson 5.

January 11 : MCA releases the single “You Can’t Win” from the soundtrack of The Wiz.

January 17 : Just before leaving for Europe with The Jacksons for the 1st leg of the Destiny Tour, Michael poses for a photoshoot with Jim McCrary in Los Angeles for his upcoming solo album « Off The Wall ».

January 19 : Boogie, a compilation album of both previously released and unreleased tracks by The Jackson 5 is released by the Motown label. Boogie is considered the rarest of all Jackson 5/Jacksons releases, as not many albums were pressed and fewer were sold at the time.

January 20 : The Jacksons arrive in Bremen, Germany.

January 21 : The Jacksons rehearse for their upcoming concert in Bremen.

January 22 : The Jacksons kick off the European leg of Destiny tour at the Bremen Germany Musical Theater in Bremen, Germany.

January 23 : While in Bremen, The Jacksons tape a performance of “Blame It On The Boogie” on Musikladen TV show. The show airs two days later on January 25.

January 24 : Second at the Bremen Germany Musical Theater in Bremen, Germany.

January 26 : Jackie, Tito, Marlon, Michael, and Randy Jackson arrive at Barajas Airport in Madrid. They check in the Palace Hotel in Madrid.

January 27 : The Jacksons visit the Prado musuem in Madrid. After visiting the Prado, they go to La Barraca, a typical Valencian restaurant near La Gran Via, to have paella.

January 28 : At noon, The Jacksons go to El Gran Musical, a live radio show on Cadena SER (one of the most important Spanish radio stations) from the Titanic discotheque on Atocha Street. The program is hosted by Cañaveras Pepe and directed by Rafael Revert. It is Michael Jackson’s first contact with the media in Spain. He is also introduced to Joaquin Luqui, who collaborated with the program every Sunday.

First concert at the El Teatro Monumental in Madrid, Spain.

January 29 : The Jacksons go the former Roma studios on Colmenar Street, where the Tele 5 production center is currently located. Valerio Lazarov and his production team were waiting for us to tape a performance of “Blame It On The Boogie”. Due to technical difficulties, the taping is postponed to the day after.

Second concert at the El Teatro Monumental in Madrid, Spain.

January 30 : In the morning, The Jacksons tape a performance of “Blame It On The Boogie” on the TV show “Sumarisimo” (a variety show that lasted only twelve weeks, from December 1978 to March 1979). The show airs on Monday, February 5, 1979.

Later, The Jacksons go to the Prado Del Rey studios to tape performances of “Destiny”, “Blame It On The Boogie”, “Goin Places” and “Shake Your Body” on Spanish TV show Aplauso (which airs RTVE on February 3, 1979).

Third concert at the El Teatro Monumental in Madrid, Spain.

January 31 : Concert at the Martiniplaza in Groningen, Netherlands.

February : The single “Shake Your Body” is released by Epic and becomes a huge success. It will peak at #7 on Hot 100 Billboard.

February 01 : Concert at the Koninklijk Theater Carré in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Michael poses for a photoshoot at the Sonesta Hotel in Amsterdam with Barry Schultz.

February 02 : In Amsterdam, in the afternoon, The Jacksons tape a performance for a Dutch television show, “Sonja’s Goed Nieuws Show,” a talk show hosted by Sonja Barend. The group performs “Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)” and “Blame It On The Boogie”. Exceptionally, the show is not held at the De Meervaart theater but inside the ultra-modern new tropical wave pool complex, De Mirandabad, in the south of Amsterdam, which is also being inaugurated on this occasion. That evening’s guests on the show include Amsterdam’s mayor Wim Polak, the synchronized swimming group De Meeuwen, the comedy duo Peppi and Kokki — and The Jacksons. Jeans, plaid shirts, and tweed jackets have replaced the shiny costumes the group used to wear, and Michael even sports a black T-shirt with the show’s logo. Backstage at the show, Michael meets the comedy duo Peppi and Kokki (real names Gerard van Essen and Herman Kortekaas), who are part of the program. The singer is particularly fond of their television series, which earned them the nickname “the Dutch Laurel and Hardy.” Under the lens of photographer Peter Mazel, Michael and the two men pose together, joined by a young boy—identity unknown—wearing a white cowboy hat.

The Jacksons tape another performance that same day for the Dutch TV show TopPop, broadcast on the TROS channel, (which is aired on February 24). They perform “Shake Your Body”. Unlike their poolside appearance at De Mirandabad, the brothers return to wearing the more iconic, stylish stage outfits they’re known for. A previously unseen photo of Michael Jackson, taken by photographer Joep Bruijnjé and published in 2021, shows him inside the studio premises.

Concert at the Koninklijk Theater Carré in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

The Jacksons are on the cover of Jet Magazine.

NBC airs an episode of the The Midnight Special taped in December where The Jacksons perform “Shake Your Body” and “Things I Do For You”.

February 3 : Soul Train’s episode with the Jacksons is aired on US TV. The group performs  “Shake Your Body”, “Things I Do For You” & “Push Me Away”.

February 6+7+8+9 : Concerts at the Rainbow Theatre in London.

While in London, The Jacksons tape performances of “Shake Your Body”, “Blame It On The Boogie” & “Destiny” on Top Of The Pops. Jermaine joins them on stage for the last song.

February 10 : Concert at the Brighton Center in Brighton, England.

ABC airs American Bandstand featuring The Jacksons performing  “Shake Your Body”, “Push Me Away” & “Things I Do For You”.

February 11 : Concert at the Guildhall in Preston, England.

February 12 : Concert at the Wakefield Theater Club in Wakefield, England.

February 13 : Concert at the Fiesta Club in Sheffield, England.

February 14 : The Jacksons arrive at Leysin, a municipality in the canton of Vaud, with approximately 4,000 inhabitants, located in the Vaud Alps, the central part of the Alps, in Switzerland. They check in l’hôtel Central de Leysin. In the afternoon, the group tapes a performance of two tracks from the album “Destiny”: “Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)” and “Blame It On The Boogie.” The brothers can be seen performing their songs in front of a massive snowman, surrounded by children skiing, at the Plan-Praz site, located a bit higher than their hotel. They also make a photoshoot in the snow. These performances are part of the show “Disco In The Snow, part I.” The four-part show, featuring the group Abba, will be broadcast on British television, on the BBC, on April 9, 1979.

February 15 : The Jacksons go to Leysin Restaurant where they tape their second segment for a special show, “Abba Snowtime,” which will be broadcast on the BBC on December 22, 1979. In the heart of an “old rustic chalet with a mountain atmosphere”, they perform their song “Destiny” near the fireplace.

At night, The Jacksons give a concert at the Victoria Hall in Geneva, Switzerland.

February 16 : The two concerts scheduled at the Apollo Theatre in Glasgow, Scotland are canceled.

February 17 : Concert at the Manchester Apollo in Manchester, England.

February 18 : Concert at the Bingley Hall in Birmingham, England.

After the concert, Michael gives an interviews with “New Musical Express” at the hotel’s pool and sauna, discussing his likes of touring, love of children, and the differences between playing in theatres and arenas.

February 19 : Concert at the Civic Theatre in Halifax, England.

February 20 : The two concerts scheduled at the De Montfort Hall in Leicester, England are canceled.

February 21 : The concert scheduled at the Sophia Gardens Pavillon in Cardiff, England is canceled.

February 23+24 : Concerts at the England Rainbow Theatre in London. The first concert is filmed for television.

February 25 : Concert at the Poole Arts Centre in Poole, England.

February 26 : Concert at the Koninklijk Theater Carré in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

February 27 : The Jacksons arrive in Paris, France.

February 28 : The two concerts scheduled at Le Palace in Paris, France are canceled at the last minute. There are pictures of the audience waiting to get in the Palace. Official reason: Food poisoning of Michael and one of his brothers.

February 29 : The concert scheduled at the Théâtre des Carmes in Avignon, France is canceled. The Jacksons go back home to Los Angeles.

March : The Jacksons concerts in South Africa, Senegal and Kenya are all canceled. In an interview to Jet Magazine published on April 19, 1979, Joe Jacksons denies rumors that the group canceled because the audiences were to be segredated : “It wasn’t canceled because of that. I’d rather not talk about it, but it was in the best interest of the Jacksons to cancel”. To this day, no one knows what really happened…

Back to Los Angeles, Michael resumes the recording of the album Off The Wall with Quincy Jones.

Spring : Michael undergoes his first rhinopasty surgery. He recovers at his friend David Gest’s home.

April 14+15 : The Jacksons kick off the US leg of Destiny Tour at the Music Hall in Cleveland. They add “Shake Your Body” to the setlist as the final song.

April 19+22 : Concerts at the Valley Forge Music Fair in Devon, a census-designated place (CDP) located in Easttown township in Chester County, Pennsylvania. During their stay in Devon, the group recorded what appears to be a television program. The footage shows them horseback riding on a property and talking with a young girl. While no information is available about this interview, the images were filmed in the heart of Valley Forge National Park, on the grounds of a historic property, The Philander Chase Knox Estate.

April 25+26+27 : Concerts at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago.

Michael, Joe & the Jacksons meet concert promoter Leonard Rowe.

April 28 : Concert at the Mill Run Theatre in Niles, Illinois.

May 3 : Concert at the Bayfront Center in St. Petersburg.

May 6 : Concert at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Jacksonville.

May 10+12 : Concert at the Music Hall in Houston.

May 11 : The single “Destiny” is released (only in the UK).

May 16 : Concert at the Birmingham Municipal Auditorium in Birmingham.

May 17 : Concert at the Municipal Auditorium in Columbus.

May 18 : Concert at the War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville.

May 19 : Concert at the Atlanta Civic Center in Atlanta.

May 20 : Concert at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis. Rick James visit the group backstage.

May 24 : Concert at the Saenger Theatre in Pine Bluff.

May 26 : Concert at the  Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.

May 27 : Concert at the Tarrant County Convention Center in Fort Worth.

May 28 : Concert at the Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium in Shreveport.

June : Michael is on the cover of Dutch magazine Pop Foto with exclusive photoshoot that took place on February 02 in Amsterdam with Peter Mazel.

June 1 : Concert at the Chrysler Hall in Norfolk.

June 3 : The Jackson brothers are welcomed at the Carolina Inn in downtown Columbia, for a press conference. It is more likely a small ceremony in which, at first, an official presents the group with the keys to the city. Bill DeLoach, representing Governor Richard Wilson Riley, then presents each of the Jackson brothers with a small Palmetto Tree badge, which they pin to the front of their jackets.

Concert at the Township Auditorium in Columbia, the capital city of the U.S. state of South Carolina.

June 8 : Concert at the Belk Gymnasium in Charlotte.

June 9 : Concert at the Capital Centre in Landover.

June 10 : Last concert of the first US leg at the War Memorial Auditorium in Greensboro.

This is the last time Michael ever performs the songs “Destiny”, “Show You the Way to Go” and “All Night Dancin'” in front of an audience.

Late June : Michael, Quincy & Bruce complete the recording & mixing of the album Off The Wall at the Westlake Studios in Los Angeles.

The Jacksons start recording songs for the Triumph Album.

Michael makes several photoshoots for the “Off The Wall” album cover with Mike Salisbury and Steve Harvey as Mike Salisbury recalls : “After a shoot at the Griffith Park Observatory under the Hollywood sign that didn’t work for me, we tried a re-shoot in photographer Steve Harvey’s Hollywood studio. Nothing was happening. The photograph in the theatrical tuxedo, with the Gene Kelly white socks and loafers, needed something more than just a white background. I needed a background to support the metaphorical symbolism of the tuxedo and the young kid with the big talent. In an urban alley against an old wall of real brick, I directed Michael to be more animated in his pose. And I told him to smile. Voila! Off the Wall. Perhaps after the Great Wall and the Berlin Wall, one of the most famous walls in the world. A wall I picked to be our backstage, the alley door of a Broadway theater”

July : Michael shoots a video for the song “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” with a new short hair.

Leonard Rowe becomes the concert promoter for the next leg of the Destinty Tour and he meets Michael and the Jacksons at Hayvenhurst several times.

July 1 : At Hayvenhurst, Michael gives an interview to “Blues & Soul” magazine, discussing the peacock symbol, politics in music, children, world cultures, “Off the Wall”, and the next Jacksons album

Mayor Tom Bradley declares “Jackson Day” in Los Angeles in honour of the group achievements. Some 300 guests attend a party in the City National Bank Vault in Beverly Hills. The Jacksons receive a Platinum Record for Destiny. Michael’s date for the night is actress Tatum’ O Neal. Michael performs “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough”.

Later, Michael, Janet Randy and their niece Stacee Brown attend The Doobie Brothers 10th Anniversary Party at the Friars Club of Beverly Hills. During the celebrations Michael and his brothers joined the Doobie brothers, Sam & Dave, Kenny Loggins, Rufus Thomas and several other stars on stage for a rendition of the Doobies song ‘Soul Man’ and highlight of the night was Michael’s, Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonalds 40 minute rendition of ‘Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)’.

July 03 : Michael gives a deposition in Los Angeles for the lawsuit between the Jacksons and Motown Records.

July 10 : The single “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” is released. It peaks at #1 on Hot 100 Billboard.

August 1 : Good Times ‘ last episode with Janet as Penny is aired on CBS.

August 10 : Epic releases the album “Off The Wall” (N°1) A huge success thanks to the genius of Michael Jackson combined with the musicians of Quincy Jones. With four Top Ten singles and more than 15 millions records sold, Off The Wall has become a classic in pop history.

August 16 : Michael is on the cover of Jet Magazine with an exclusive interview and a photoshoot that took place at Hayvenhurst with Katherine, Janet and LaToya.

August 20 : Michael is on the cover of Soul Magazine with an exclusive interview.

August 29 : Michael & his brothers give a radio interview. They also make a photoshoot with photographer Mathew Roltson.

Michael’s contract with Joe Jackson expires and he now takes control of his own career.

September : The Jacksons are on the cover of Ebony Magazine.

On the same day, Michael shoots two music videos for the songs “Rock With You” and “She’s Out Of My Life”. Both videos are directed by Bruce Gowers and filmed at the 800 Stage in Los Angeles.

The Jacksons rehearse for the new leg of the Destiny World Tour and they add new songs to the setlist (Off The Wall, Rock With You, Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough and Shake Your Body).

October 2+3 : The Jacksons kick off the second US leg of Destiny Tour at the Municipal Auditorium in New Orleans.

October 4 : Concert at the  Hirsch Memorial Coliseum in Shreveport.

October 5 : Concert at the Mobile Municipal Auditorium in Mobile.

October 6 : Concert at the Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville;

October 7 : Concert at the Louisville Gardens in Louisville.

October 12 : Concert at the Spectrum in Philadelphia.

October 13 : Concert at the Rochester Community War Memorial in Rochester.

October 14 : Concert at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena in Pittsburgh

October 15 : Concert at the Saginaw Civic Center in Saginaw.

October 19 : Concert at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis.

October 20 : Concert at the Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis.

October 21 : Concert at the UD Arena in Dayton.

October 25 : Concert at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Columbus.

October 26 : Concert at the Onondaga County War Memorial in Syracuse.

October 27 : Concert at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo.

October 28 : Concert at the Springfield Civic Center in Springfield.

October 31 : Michael attends his friend Jane Fonda’s Halloween Disco Party at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.

November 1 : Concert at the Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

November 2 : Concert at the Chicago Stadium in Chicago, Illinois.

November 3 : Concert at the Public Auditorium in Cleveland, Ohio.

Epic releases the single “Rock With You”. It will peak at #1 on Hot 100 Billboard.

Rolling Stone Magazine refuses to put Michael on their cover!

November 4+5 : Concerts at the 1979 Detroit Cobo Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

November 7 : Concert at the Baltimore Civic Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

November 8 : Michael and Marlon visit Radio Station WWRL 1600 in New York City and pose for pictures with DJ Gary Byrd. They also visit “WBLS” radio station’s Frankie Crocker, discussing family, the “Destiny” songs and tour, and “The Wiz”.

Concert at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, in central Nassau County, New York (the concert is filmed for ABC’s 20/20 TV show).

Backstage, Michael  & The Jacksons are presented with gold record awards for Off The Wall’ album with CBS record executive Don Dempsey & Joe Jackson. They also pose for pictures with Super model Beverly Johnson.

After the concert, Michael and Marlon interview with Sylvia Chase in the back of their limo for a 20/20 special report. Then Michael attends Steve Rubell’s birthday party at the Studio 54 with Debbie Allen and Lionel Ritchie.

November 9 : Concert at the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Virginia.

November 11 : Concert at the Roanoke Civic Center in Roanoke, Virginia.

November 22 : Concert at the Savannah Civic Center in Savannah, Georgia.

November 23 : Concert at the Macon Coliseum in Macon, Georgia.

November 24 : Concert at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.

November 25 : Concert at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee.

November 29 : Concert at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta, Georgia.

November 30 : Concert at the Mobile Civic Center in Mobile, Alabama.

December 01 : Michael attends Steve Rubell’s birthday party at the Studio 54 with Debbie Allen and Lionel Ritchie.

December 6 : Concert at the Summit in Houston, Texas.

December 13 : Concert at the United States Swing Auditorium in San Bernardino, California.

December 15 : Janet joins the cast of “A New Kind Of Family” sitcom on ABC. She plays the character of Jojo Ashton for 3 episodes. The show is canceled shortly after.

Concert at the Sports Arena in San Diego, California.

December 16 : Concert at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena in Oakland, California.

December 17 . Michael performs “Don’t Stop ‘Till You Get Enough” at the New Age club in Oakland, California. Taped for the Soul Beat Network.

December 18 : Concert at the Forum in Inglewood. The whole Jackson family attends the concert. Backstage Michael is presented with multplatinum record awards for Off The Wall. After the concert, the Jacksons attend a party at Chasen’s restaurant in Beverly Hills.

December 21 : Last concert of the year at the Haynes Oval Cricket Ground in Nassau (The Bahamas).

December 27 : Michael’s interview with Sylvia Chase (filmed on December 9) is aired on ABC’s 20/20 and features live songs from the Destiny Tour (filmed at the Uniondale concert on November 8, 1979). The special also featuresan interview of Joe & Katherine filmed at Hayvenhurst.

Late December : Michael , Janet, Rebbie, Marlon, Jackie, Jermaine, Randy & Tito go to Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace in Los Angeles in 1979. They pose for pictures with Barry White.

Previous year : 1978

Following year : 1980

January : Janet makes a photoshoot at Hayvenhurst.

January 6 : The single “Show You The Way To Go” is released by Epic and peaks at 28 on Hot 100 Billboard.

January 19 : CBS airs the 5th episode of The Jacksons Variety Show.  Special guest star : Redd Foxx. Songs performed : “Enjoy Yourself”, “They Can’t Take That Away from Me”/”Puttin’ on the Ritz”, “Blues Away”, “Bei Mir Bist Du Schön (Means You’re Grand)”, “Keep on Dancing”.

January 26 : CBS airs the 6th episode of The Jacksons Variety Show.  Special guest star : Carroll O’Connor. Songs performed : “Hum Along and Dance”,”Get Happy”/”I Got Rhythm”
“I Got You Babe”, “Coconut”,”I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart”/”Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”/”Caravan”/”Take the “A” Train”, “Show You the Way to Go”.

January 27 : Birth of Jermaine Jackson Jr (Jay) : First child of Jermaine & Hazel.

January 31 : The Jacksons perform “Good Times” at The American Music Awards held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica and Janet presents an award as Mae West.

February 2 : Michael meets Andy Warhol for the first time at Regine’s night club on 502 Park Avenue in New York City. “Catherine [Catherine Guinness, Warhol’s assistant] and I went to Regine’s at 11:00 pm. to interview Michael Jackson of the Jackson Five. He’s very tall now but he has a really high voice. He had a big guy with him, maybe a bodyguard, and The Wiz’s girl [Stephanie Mills]. Susan Blond, publicist at Epic at the time, is also present at this event. This interview between Michael Jackson and Andy Warhol will appear in one of the issues of Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine soon after (probably in the March 1977 issue).

CBS airs the 7th episode of The Jacksons Variety Show.  Special guest stars : Dom DeLuise/
George Miller/Muhammad Ali. Songs performed : “Moving Violation”,”On the Wall” “That’s the Way (I Like It)”, “Style of Life”, “Steppin’ Out”, “Hello, Dolly!”, “Life of the Party”.

February 8  : The Jacksons are guests on Mike Douglas show Mike Douglas Show (taped in Philadelphia) where they perform “Enjoy Yourself’, “Dreamer’ & “Show You The Way To Go”.

February 9 : CBS airs the 8th episode of The Jacksons Variety Show.  Special guest star : Betty White. Songs performed : “Get It Together”, “On The Wall”, “Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy”, “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree”, “Dreamer”, “Opus No. 1”, “Just a Little Bit of You”.

February 16 : CBS airs the 9th episode of The Jacksons Variety Show.  Special guest stars : Georgia Engel/David Letterman. Songs performed : “Sugar Daddy”, “On The Wall”,”Cisco Kid”/”I Shot the Sheriff”,”One”, “Ben”, “I Am Love”.

February 19 : The Jacksons present an award to Nathalie Cole at the 19th Grammy Awards at Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. Michael poses for a picture with Aretha Franklin. Later that night, Michael attends an after party at On The Rox, sur Sunset Boulevard with Tatum O’Neal, Susan Blond and Andy Warhol.

February 23 : CBS airs the 10th episode of The Jacksons Variety Show.  Special guest stars :John Byner/Nicholas Brothers. Songs performed : “What You Don’t Know Won’t Hurt You”
“On the Wall”,”Midnight at the Oasis”,”Get Ready”,”Good Times” “I Can’t Quit Your Love”.

February 24 : The Jacksons arrive in Caracas, Venezuela.

February 25 : The Jacksons tape a 30 minutes long performance on Súper Sábado Sensacional TV show  They perform One Day In Your Life, Happy, I’ll Be There, Dancing Machine, Body Language (Do The Love Dance), Enjoy Yourself et Just A Little Bit Of You. (the last two songs are cut from the airing). The show airs on Venevision the day after.

February 26 : The Jacksons give a concert at the Poliedro de Caracas in Caracas, Venezuela.

February 28 : The Jacksons give a concert at the Salón Naiguatá del Hotel Tamanaco in Caracas, Venezuela.

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

March 2 : CBS airs the 11th episode of The Jacksons Variety Show.  Special guest star : Lynda Carter. Songs performed “Think Happy”, “On The Wall”, “On the Good Ship Lollipop”, “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”,”Thank God I’m a Country Boy”, “Living Together”, “I’ll Be There”.

March 9 : CBS airs the 12th episode of The Jacksons Variety Show.  Special guest stars : Tim Conway/David Letterman. Songs performed : “Dancing Machine”, “On the Wall”
“Behind Closed Doors”, “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby”, “I’m Going To Jackson”, “Flat Foot Floogie”,”World of Sunshine”,”Body Language.

March 10 : Michael and Janet attend the First Annual Rock and Roll Celebrity Sports Classic at the University of California in Irvine.

March 23 : Radio station WDIA organized a fan meet-and-greet with The Jackson at a shopping center in Memphis, Tennessee, which quickly turned into a riot. The event, featuring autograph signings by the group, was set to take place at the Woolco discount store in the Southgate Shopping Center, located in the southern neighborhoods of Memphis. However, neither the store nor the radio station was truly prepared for the chaos that the arrival of the Jackson brothers could trigger. Woolco, which sold numerous records by the group, did not anticipate that hundreds, and then thousands, of young fans would rush to the store, swarm the Jacksons, and cause significant damage. The Woolco and WDIA employees, seeing the chaos, were forced to secure Michael and his brothers on the store’s roof, from where they threw autographs to the crowd, estimated at around 6,500 people. While there were no injuries, several fans, angry at not being able to get close to their idols, vandalized and looted the Woolco store. It seems the Jackson family later reimbursed the damages.

March 24 : The Jacksons perform a concert at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee.

Spring : Michael becomes friend with Tatum O’Neal after speaking with her father Ryan O’Neal at a club in Los Angeles. The next day, Tatum invites Michael to a dinner party at Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner’s Holmbt Hills estateand they share a tub together.

April : In New York City, The Jacksons perform “Enjoy Yourself” on local NY kids TV show Wonderama and they are interviewed by TV host Bob McCallister.

April 10 : The Jacksons perform a concert at Uniondale’s “Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum” during “The Jacksons’ Tour”. While no footage of the tour has ever surfaced, a press article published the day after mentionned that Stevie Wonder was on stage that night.

May 15 : The Jacksons arrive in London for a short European tour.

Michael meets former child star Mark Lester at his London home. Lester once was the most famous English child actor and was cast in the musical film Oliver! (1968) where he played the lead in the multiple Academy Award-winning adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novel. Lester in 2008 : “Michael is one of my best friends. I talked to him just a couple of days ago. I’ve stayed at Neverland countless times. We met more than 30 years ago when he was on tour here with the Jackson Five. His agent rang me up and said: ‘Michael’s favourite film is Oliver! He’d love to meet you.’ “We went for a coffee and we’ve been pals ever since. I’m just so proud of him. He’s managed to turn his life around after all the claims and he’s just trying to get by. We have so much in common. We were both thrust into the spotlight at a very early age. If you haven’t experienced that, it’s impossible to fully understand.”

May 16 : The Jacksons perform at the Queen Theatre in Glasgow, Scotland.

May 17 : The Jacksons perform “Forever Came Today”, “Show You The Way To Go” and a Motown medley medley at Kings’s Theatre in Glasgow as part of the Royal Command Performance celebrating the Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee celebrations. The groups meets Queen Elizabeth for the second time.

May 19 : The Jacksons perform “Show You The Way To Go” on Top Of The Pops in London. The group poses for pictures at Hyde Park Corner in London.

May 21 : The Jacksons perform “Enjoy Yourself”, “Show You the Way to Go”, “Dreamer”, “Keep on Dancing” on Musikladen, Bremen, Germany.

In Amsterdam, The Jacksons visit the studios of Claude Vanheye, a Dutch photographer who had made a name for himself in the world of celebrities, for a photo shoot. Jackie, Tito, Marlon, and Randy return to their hotel. Michael stays behind with the photographer—he wants to explore the neighborhood and get to know the city of Amsterdam a little better. Wearing a black buttoned jacket and holding a camera in hand, the man who was not yet the King of Pop quietly enjoys the neighborhood with Vanheye, the two of them taking photos of each other as they wander.

May 24 : The Jacksons perform a concert at the Hammersmith Odeon in London. They do a photoshoot all around London with photographer Tom Sheehan.

Late May : The Jacksons perform “Think Happy” & “Show You The Way To Go” on TopPop taped at AVRO TV Studio, Hilversum, Netherlands (aired on July 19).

May 30 : The Jacksons tape a performance of  “Keep On Dancing” on Numéro Un Joe Dassin taped at the Buttes-Chaumont Studios in Paris, France (aired on French TV on July 2, 1977). Upon leaving the studios, French photographer Jacques Benaroch, managed to capture the brothers with Joe on the street for a few candid pictures. The pictures were taken around 27/29 Rue des Alouettes, while the studios were located at 34/36 on the same street.

June : The Jackson go back to Sigma Sound Studios in Philidalphia to record their new album with Gamble & Huff.

June 9 : Michael attends a Studio 54 party for the stage show Beatlesmania in New York City. Michael poses for pictures with Andy Warhol and Steve Tyler from the group Aerosmith.

June 29 : Birth of Sigmund Esco Jackson Jr (Siggy) : First child of Jackie & Enid.

July : Michael and LaToya move together into a condo in Manhattan’s Sutton Place. Michael is in NYC to rehearse and film his first movie The Wiz, a black remake of The Wizard Of Oz. Michael got the part of the Scarecrow opposite good friend Diana Ross as Dorothy and Richard Pryor as The Wiz. The film is directed by Sydney Lumet.

July 4 : Michael goes to Jermaine & Hazel’s beach house in Malibu for a barbecue on American Independance Day. While swimming in the ocean Michael suffers an attack of pneumothorax. Jermaines takes him to the Malibu Emergency Hospital. Michael has pleurisy.

July 16 : On the first day of rehearsal for The Wiz at the St George Hotel in Brooklyn, Michael meets the musical director Quincy Jones (that he has already seen in 1972 at Sammy Davis Jr’s home).

August : Michael goes to the famous club Studio 54 in New York with LaToya. He meets a lot of people like Liza Minelli, Stephanie Mills, Tatum O’Neil or Andy Warhol. Michael’s friend Theresa Gonsalves visit him in NYC. During a break in the “Good Times” series filming, Janet visits Michael & LaToya in NYC and they take her to Studio 54.

August 16 : Michael is on the cover of Jet Magazine.

August 24 : Michael attends the Carter Burden party hosted by Woody Allen in NYC.

August 26 : Michael attends the RFK pro-celebrity tennis tournament party with Mohamed Ali.

September : “Goin’ Places” is a song written by Gamble and Huff and recorded by The Jacksons for their twelfth album of the same name is released as the album’s lead single a few weeks before the album iq released, it peaked at #52 on the Billboard Hot 100 on November 12, 1977. The music video focuseq on scenes between the brothers performing on stage and playing around New York City. Locations in the video included Central Park and the Statue of Liberty.

September 12 : Michael is on the cover of Soul Magazine. In the interview he denies rumors of his homosexuality and talks about his new friend, 14 years old actress Tatum O’Neal : “I guess I am dating her in a way. I’ve taken her out a couple of times or she’s taken me out, whatever. But she is a friend of mine and I see her occasionally”.

September 21 : Janet makes her acting debut on CBS’s hit sitcom “Good Times” as Penny Gordon Woods.

She joins the cast at the start of season 5 and will appear in all 24 episodes of the season.

September 28 : Universal Pictures holds a press conference at Astoria Studios in Queens to announce the making of The Wiz. Michael attends the event with Diana Ross, Nipsey Russel and Ted Ross.

October 3 : First day of filming of The Wiz at the Astoria Studios in Queens and on locations in New York City.

October 05 : Birth of Yashi Brown : Second child of Rebbie & Nathaniel.

October 11 : Michael attends Elton John’s party for the release of Elton, It’s A Little Bit Funny, a photo book about his Louder than concorde tour, in 1976 at the Studio 54. Michael poses for pictures with Elton John, Steve Rubell and Andy Warhol.

October 18 : The album “Goin’ Places” is released by Epic Records. It’s be the last Jacksons’ album released as a joint venture between Epic Records and Philadelphia International Records. Goin’ Places peaks at No. 63 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in the United States, and at No. 11 on the US Soul Albums chart. The album sold over half a million copies.

October 21 : The single “Goin’ Places” is released by Epic and peaks at 52 on Hot 100 Billboard.

October 24 : Michael and the Jacksons go to Studio 54 in NYC.

October 25 : The cast of The Wiz helds a party (“Goin’ Places with The Wiz) in Michael’s honor at Studio 54, in celebration of his acting debut and The Jackson’s 2nd album Goin’ Places release. Katherine, Jackie, Marlon, Tito, Randy, LaToya and Janet attend the party which is hosted by Epic Records. Invitations were in the form of airline tickets in keeping with the “Goin’ Places” theme.

November : Randy, Janet, Marlon, Tito, and Joe attend the Annual Television Parade of Stars in Los Angeles.

Michael is on the cover of Rock & Soul Magazine.

The “Even Though You’re Gone” music video features the band members sitting (Michael separated from the rest of the group) singing the song. The video features The Jacksons wearing blue tuxedos.

November 2 : In NYC, Michael gives an interview to Australian journalist Molly Mueldrum. Molly and Mike talk about the brothers/family, the Wiz, and MJs career.

November 4 : Michael attends Andre Mc Andrie ‘s 14th birthday party at Gallagher’s Restaurant in New York (a few blocks from Studio 54). She was the heroine of the musical Annie.

November 10 : Janet is on the cover of Jet Magazine with her TV mom Ja’net DuBois.

November 14 : Michael & Steve Rubell attend the premire party for “The Turning Point” at Studio 54 in NYC.

November 17 : Michael & Janet go shopping  at Barney’s clothing store in NYC.

December : Michael & Joe go to a meeting with Ron Alexenburg, President of Epic Records to ask for complete artistic freedom for the next Jacksons ’ album. Alexenburg agrees, appointing two executive producers, Bobby Colombus and Mike Atkinson.

Michael gives an interview to Steve Manning from his New York’s East Side appartment. Steve is greeted by LaToya who just finished preparing breakfast for Michael. The interview is published on the January 1978 issue of Black Stars magazine which features Michael on the cover. In the same. In the same issue, Janet gives on of her first interview to Jason Winters and makes a photosession. Janet, 11 years old is already concerned with her weight : « I love to eat but now being on television, I have to watch it. I don’t want to gain too much weight ». She also talks about her brother : “I miss Michael a lot but I’ve sorta gotten used to him being away. He travels a lot”.

December 29 : Last day of filming of The Wiz in NYC.

December 31 : Michael spends New Year’ s eve at the Studio 54 with Liza Minelli among others.

Previous year : 1976

Following year : 1978

January : The Jackson 5 tour the West Indies.

January 10 : Concert at the Cobo Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

January 16 : The album “Forever Michael” & the single “We’re Almost There” are released by Motown.

January 25 : The Jackson 5 perform “Life Of The Party” on the Carol Burnett Show (taped at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City). Janet & Randy also perform on the show.

Michael performs “We’re Almost There” on American Bandstand.

February 5 : Michael, Randy & Janet pose for pictures at the Warwick hotel in New York City.

February 6+7+8+9+10+11+12+13 : The Jackson 5 are in concert at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

While in NYC, The Jackson 5 tape a performance on Wonderama, a children’s television program that originally appeared on the Metromedia-owned stations.

February 17 : Jackie & Enid are on the cover of Jet Magazine.

February 17 + 18 + 19 : Concerts at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines.

February 18 : Michael accepts an award on behalf of Diana Ross at the American Music Awards and he also presents an award with Janet to Gladys Knight & The Pips.

March 1 : The Jackson 5 are nominated for Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance – Duo, Group Or Chorus with “Dancing Machine” at the 17th Grammy Awards ceremony held at Uris Theater in New York. Michael attends the ceremony and poses for pictures with Stevie Wonder.

March 8 : The Jackson 5 share the stage with Bob Marley & the Wailers at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. The show, which was initially scheduled for February 15, 1975, was held at Kingston’s National Arena on March 8, 1975 and featured the Wailers original line-up of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer along with Carlton Barrett (drums), Aston “Family Man” Barrett (bass), Al Anderson (lead guitar), Lee Jaffe (harmonica) and a brass section of Bobby Ellis (trumpet) and Richard “Dirty Harry” Hall (saxophone). Also on the bill were Marcia Griffiths, Bongo Herman, and the I-Three. The Jackson Five took the stage nearly an hour and a half prior to the Wailers and gave a tremendous performance with their fancy footwork and hit songs.

March 14 : Concert at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Florida.

March 15 + 16 : Concerts at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

March 16 : The Jackson 5 appear on the Cher TV show taped at CBS Television City in Los Angeles. They are introduced by Janet and they perform “I Am Love” + a skit called “The World Is a Mess” and finally Cher joins the group to perform a medley of “I Want You Back”/”I’ll Be There”/”Never Can Say Goodbye”/”The Love You Save”/”Dancing Machine”.

March 28 : The Jackson 5 sign a contract with CBS Epic Records and terminate their relationship with Motown Records. For copyright reasons, the group can no longer use the Jackson 5 name and brand. Jermaine refuses to sign the contract. Randy joins the group officially.

April 9 + 10 + 11 + 12 + 13 + 14 + 15 + 16 + 17 + 18 + 19 + 20 + 21 + 22 : Concerts at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino – Celebrity Room in Las Vegas, Nevada.

May : Joseph negociates a new recording deal for the Jackson 5 with CBS Epic Records. The Jackson 5 will receive an advance, known in the record industry as a “signing bonus”, of 750 000 dollars and an additional 500 000 dollards from a “recording fund”. They are guaranteed to be paid 350 000 dollars per album.

May 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10 + 11 : Concerts at the Shady Grove Music Theatre in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

May 13 + 15 : Concerts at the Mill Run Playhouse in Niles, Illinois.

May 14 : Michael and Berry Gordy have a private meeting at Berry’s Bel Air estate. A few days later, Michael accept to sign the CBS Epic Records deal that Joseph negociated. Jermaine refuses to sign the deal and decides to leave the group and to stay at Motown.

May 15 : “Moving Violation” is the last album of the Jackson 5 released by Motown.

June : “Forever Came Today” is the last official single of the Jackson 5 released by Motown.

“Just A Little Bit Of You” is the last official single of Michael Jackson released by Motown.

June 9 + 10 : Concerts at the Mill Run Playhouse in Niles, Illinois.

June 11 : Concert at the Chicago Stadium in Chicago.

June 12 + 13 + 14 + 15 : Concerts at the Mill Run Playhouse in Niles, Illinois.

June 24 + 25 + 26 + 27 + 28 + 29 : Concerts at the Nanuet Star Theatre in Nanuet, New York.

June 28 : The Jackson 5 perform “Dancing Machine”, “Moving Violation” & “Just A Little Bit Of You” (by Michael) on American Bandstand (taped in Los Angeles).

Late June : Berry Gordy’s vice-chariman of Motown, Michael Roshkind, telephones Joseph to inform him that Motown owns the name “The Jackson 5”. It was a clause in the contract signed by Joseph and his sons in Detroit on July 26, 1968. Joe is furious.

June 30 : Joe Jackson calls a press conference at the Rainbow Grill atop the Rockfeller Center in Manhattan with the whole family except Jermaine to announce that the Jackson family is leaving Motown for CBS Epic Records. Earlier in the morning, Berry Gordy had one of his lawyers send a telegram to Arthur Taylor, president of CBS Records, warning him not to use the name “The Jackson 5” during the press conference since Motown owned exclusive rights to this name and brand.

June 30+31 + July 1+2+3+4+5 : Concerts at the Nanuet Star Theater Nanuet in New York City.

July : Berry Gordy and Motown file a lawsuit againt Joseph Jackson, The Jackson 5 and CBS seeking five million dollars in damages for signing wuth CBS before the Motown contract had expired. Joseph Jackson files a countersuit, claiming Motown owe the family royalties, unpaid advances and expenses.

The Jackson 5 perform “Forever Came Today” & “Body Language” on the Carol Burnett Show without Jermaine!

July 3 : Randy & Janet are on the cover of Jet Magazine.

July 6 : Jermaine flies from Los Angeles to New York. He meets the brothers at their hotel but decides not to perform with them. The Jackson 5 perform at the Westbury Music Fair in Westbury, New York. For the first time ever, Jermaine does not perform with his brothers. Marlon sings his solo parts.

July 7 : Jermaine joins Joseph and the brothers at CBS Records in Manhattan. Jermaines decides to fly back to Los Angeles. He officially leaves the Jackson 5.

The Jackson 5 perform “Moving Violation”, “Forever Came Today” and “One Day in Your Life” on the Dinah Show. Janet & Randy also perform their Vegas act (the show was taped earlier in Burbank).

July 9 + 10 + 11 + 12 +13 + 14 + 15 + 16 + 17 + 18 + 19 + 20 + 21 + 22 : Concerts at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino – Celebrity Room in Las Vegas, Nevada.

August 2 : Concert at the Florida State Fair in Tampa, Florida.

August 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10 : Concerts at the Circle Star Theater in San Carlos, California.

August 8 : Dee Dee gives birth to Taryll Jackson.

August 16 : Marlon secretly gets married to Carol Ann Parker. He doesn’t tell any member of the Jackson family until January 1976.

August 18 + 19 + 20 + 21+ 22 + 23 + 24 : Concerts at the Painters Mill Music Fair in Owings Mills, Maryland.

August 27 + 28 + 29 + 30 + 31 : Concerts at the Westbury Music Fair in Westbury, New York.

August 28 : The Best Of Michael Jackson is released by Motown.

September : Enid Jackson files for divorce from Jackie (later the couple reconcile and remain married until 1987).

September 1 : Concert at the Mount Vernon Memorial Stadium in Mount Vernon, New York.

September 12 + 13 + 14 : Concerts at the Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan.

September 19 : Concert at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

September 21 : Concert at the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia.

September 26 : Concert at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis.

September 27 : Concert at the Rochester Community War Memorial in Rochester, New York.

October 10 : Concert at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee.

October 11 : Concert at the Alexander Memorial Coliseum in Atlanta, Georgia.

October 12 : Concert at the Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

October 17 : Concert at the Onondaga County War Memorial in Huntsville, Alabama.

October 18 : Concert at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York.

October 22 + 23 + 24 + 25 + 26 + 27 + 28 + 29 + 30 + 31 + November 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 : Last series of concerts at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino – Celebrity Room in Las Vegas, Nevada.

November 5 : Issued as a B-side to “Forever Came Today”, on the pop charts, airplay of  “All I Do Is Think Of You” was so massive on the urban side that the song was charted also eventually peaking at number fifty on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart. The 45 single is issued by Motown. It is the final charted single issued as The Jackson 5 before the group leaves Motown for CBS.

November 20 : Tito, Dee Dee, Taj & Taryll are on the cover of Jet Magazine.

November 24 + 25 + 26 + 27 + 28 + 29 + 30 : Concerts at the Front Row Theater in Highland Heights, Ohio.

December 11 : The Jackson 5 perform “All I Do Is Think Of You” on the The Mike Douglas Show in Philadelphia.

December 21 : The Jackson 5 perform a full concert with an orchestra at the Televisa San Ángel in Mexico City (Mexico). Katherine, Janet & LaToya attend the concert. Jermaine is not on stage, Marlon takes over his parts. The concert is filmed and later air on Mexican TV channel TIM.

Previous year : 1974

Following year : 1976