If my memory serves me correctly, it was the evening of October 11, 1984, and I was standing in tiptoe anticipation on a chair not far from the outdoor stage at Comiskey Park. Along with thousands of others, I was waiting for Michael Jackson and the rest of the Jackson 5 to hit the stage to perform the Chicago portion of their now famous Victory Tour.
It had rained earlier in the day, so the ground was wet, but our spirits were definitely not dampened. Someone had gifted me with a half dozen tickets in the VIP section. My five friends and I were so very excited. Even though we were Jackson 5 fans, none of us had ever seen the world famous singers live and in person. The closest we ever came was watching them several years earlier when, I believe, they made their television debut on the “Ed Sullivan Show.”
We arrived by taxi at the ballpark about an hour before showtime, never even considering driving there. We had VIP seats, after all. We needed to arrive in style – all six of us crowded in a taxi, not in a limousine as was initially suggested. At first there was a light show, and then the stage darkened and they entered.
If my life depended on it, I would not be able to tell you the name of even one of the songs they sang. I just know I was looking at and listening to the Jackson 5. We all sang along – the entire audience – standing on chairs for the whole evening. I don’t even remember if there was an intermission or not. I just remember seeing the Jackson 5 doing what they did best – singing, dancing and entertaining.
Part of the evening is still somewhat a blur to me – partly because it was 25 years ago and partly because my excitement of the whole evening has actually numbed my senses to the point that individual moments are lost – and lost forever.
But I do remember knowing that I was experiencing something that I could not capture in words. I was experiencing a movement that I could not describe, that I could not even begin to share with my five friends. I knew that what I was witnessing was bound to be a force to be reckoned with in years to come in the entertainment sphere.
I remember the next day trying to describe the concert to my less fortunate friends who did not have tickets to the performance and how I felt at the close of the concert. The descriptive, poignant words just would not come. All I could muster up was, “It was really great!” – knowing full well that was such an inadequate review.
But now I finally realize and can truly say that some 25 years ago I saw one of the greatest entertainers perform before my very eyes. I only wish I had seen more of this remarkable, extraordinarily talented and gifted man, a man named Michael Jackson!
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In photo: In this image released by the Jackson family (from left) Rebbie Jackson, Janet Jackson, Randy Jackson, Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Jackie Jackson and Jermaine Jackson attend Michael Jackson's memorial service at Staples Center Tuesday, July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/The Jackson Family, Kevin Mazur)
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