The Jackson 5 World Tour


The Jackson 5 World Tour was the fifth overall concert tour and the first world tour undertaken by the American band the Jackson 5.
The tour began on March 2, 1973, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and concluded sometime in late December 1975. The tour was the biggest undertaken by the Jackson 5 during the band's lifetime, with over 385 concerts in a three-year period. The brothers toured the cities of the Americas, the United Kingdom, the Far East and Africa.
Joe Jackson arranged a nightclub act or also known as their "Las Vegas Revue" debuting at then MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The act soon expanded to other states such as New York, California, Maryland and few other places in between.
This marks the last tour before they toured as six brothers again for the Victory Tour in 1984.

Overview

1973

Japan

The brothers arrived at the Tokyo International Airport on April 23 due to the tour originally starting on April 25. They resided at the Takanawa Prince Hotel. This would be their first time touring Japan. On April 24, the brothers attended a press conference regarding the Tokyo Music Festival and their upcoming performance on a television show. The Japanese leg of the tour began on April 27 with a performance at the Imperial Theatre in Tokyo as part of the Tokyo Music Festival, as special guests. Before their first show, a rehearsal and soundcheck commenced; the brothers did not rehearse the full set but only half. They attended an afterparty where they spend time with Sammy Davis Jr. and his wife, Altovise, as he was performing there as well. The brothers vowed to come back to Japan in 1974, although these plans were cancelled. Michael would eventually come back to Japan during his first solo tour – the Bad World Tour – in September 1987.

Australia and New Zealand

The Jackson 5 were considered the first black group to tour Australia. The brothers attracted crowds in populous cities in Australia at smaller auditoriums and arenas. In Sydney, Joe Jackson, who was the group's tour and finance manager, stood up for Aboriginal fans who were allegedly banned from interacting with the group during their stay. Jackie recalls his father saying, "If you don't let these Aboriginal kids in, the Jacksons are not going on stage." They were eventually let in, causing pandemonium. Wendell Hynes was the group's tour manager and promoter when the Jacksons came to New Zealand; his brother, Jeff Hynes, was the security and driver. The brothers spent four-and-a-half days in New Zealand with two shows in Christchurch and two shows in Wellington.

1974

North America

On May 13, before the concert in Washington, D.C., around 300 people tried to get in without tickets. After being denied access, they started a ruckus by throwing bottles and rocks at cars for the next four hours. According to the police, 40 people had been injured and 58 others were arrested, 27 of whom were adults while the rest of them were juveniles.

Start of Las Vegas Revue

The night before the opening show at the MGM Grand Hotel, Rebbie wrenched her ankle while climbing down the stairs of the hotel's casino, resulting in the group dropping down her performance of "Fever (Little [Willie John song)|Fever]" from the setlist for the two-week engagement. Nevertheless, she came on stage at the end of every show.
Katherine Jackson explains:

Africa

The tour was organised by Mamadou Johnny Secka. Originally, it was scheduled to take place from January 29 to February 18, including performances in Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, Kenya and Ethiopia, but was cut short to only one week in Senegal, where the group performed one show in Demba Diop Stadium and two shows in a small theatre.
During their free time the Jacksons took a trip to the market of Fadiouth to buy local pieces of art, and then to Club Aldiana in Nianing for lunch. They also visited Linguere before going to a pilgrimage in Gorée.
From Michael's own words:
Mustapha Fall, National Delegate of Tourism, honored Joe Jackson with the badge of "the Knight of the Order of Merit". The group gave thanks to him by offering the gold record for "Get It Together" to hand over to the president Léopold Sédar Senghor.
The group was supposed to meet Emperor Haile Selassie at the Emperor's Palace in Addis Ababa on February 14.

South America

The brothers and their team arrived in São Paulo on September 12 at 1 p.m. The afternoon started with a press conference at the Othon Palace Hotel, where the group stayed. Following two concerts on September 13 and 14, a television performance was taped, with the only remaining footage being of "Never Can Say Goodbye" and "Ben" due to the rest of the tape being destroyed during the Tupi studio fire in 1978.
At the time, Brazil was still under military dictatorship. Therefore, all concerts had to finish strictly before 10 p.m.
In Rio de Janeiro, the Jackson 5 gave an interview with Radio Globo, as well as a press conference at the Hotel Nacional Rio.
The concert in Brasília was originally scheduled to take place on September 21, but the equipment did not arrive in time. Following the announcement of the show's cancellation, the infuriated public caused chaos, with angry fans breaking the Jackson 5 tour bus windows. The concert eventually took place the next evening, on September 22.
The group arrived in Panama City on October 10 at 5 p.m., the same day they gave a press conference at Salon El Tonel with their official sponsor, the beer brand Super Malta. The conference was attended not only by the press but also by governmental authorities. On October 12, the group appeared at Gran Morrison Mall for an autograph signing session.
The group also visited the Guna tribe.
The Jackson 5 were scheduled to be the first performers at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis on the venue's opening day. However, due to their South American commitments, the concert was rescheduled to October 25. Instead, Glen Campbell performed the first concert at the venue.

Far East

Joe Jackson remembers: "After the second Australian tour we have begun to work on a new album and preparation for the following concerts. The Jackson 5 had to perform in Manila. I always wanted to see the Philippines, therefore simply could not wait, when we will finally go there. The moment was suitable because our albums were on sale there so well, that Motown did not have enough time to deliver them... We gave a few radio interviews, then we were invited to reception where we were personally welcomed by Imelda Marcos, the first lady of Philippines. Our trip to Philippines was a part of tour across the Far East. During the tour we in the second time have visited Japan and Hong Kong. In November 1974 the tours have ended, and all of us finally could take a vacation." In the Philippines, the brothers performed at the Araneta Coliseum in October 1974. Planned concerts in Japan spanning across three venues in Tokyo from October 24 to 28 were cancelled for unknown reasons. US dates were performed around this time.

1975

North America

Most of the tour schedule consisted of nightclub shows continuing and expanding their Las Vegas Revue to other states. During the July 6 concert at the Westbury Music Fair in Westbury, New York, Jermaine left the group after the first show backstage in refusal to sign a contract with Epic Records, which his brothers signed due to the lack of creative freedom back at Motown. Marlon would replace Jermaine from this point on during the tour. On September 1, the tour would kick off with a brand new setlist, featuring material from the Moving Violation and Forever, Michael albums, as well as a local orchestra depending on their location. Prior to that, the orchestra was exclusive to Las Vegas revue nightclub/theater engagements.

West Indies

Promoter Tony Cobb organized the visit of the Jackson 5 in Jamaica and invited Prime Minister Michael Manley and his spouse Beverly to visit the concert in Kingston. Before the performance, Bob Marley invited the Jackson family to his house. They were also invited by Edward Seaga, leader of the Jamaica Labour Party. The Jackson 5 played basketball against Kingston College students and spent time at the Tivoli Gardens. Due to the show starting later than expected, Jamaican comedian Ranny Williams was brought out to attract the fans. The show started late and ended at 4 a.m., following a performance by Bob Marley and the Wailers.

Incomplete/shorter shows

Osaka – Most songs from the setlist were not performed, presumably due to time constraints. "Superstition" was supposed to have been performed as a duet between Michael and Randy; however, Randy didn't participate in this performance.
Inglewood – Only 14 out of the usual 17–18 songs were performed.
Detroit – According to a spectator, towards the end of the concert, the audience rushed towards the stage, causing the performers to drop their instruments and leave the venue.
St. Paul – The concert ended earlier due to chaotic crowd, with the setlist being shortened.
Indianapolis – The concert ended 20 minutes early for unknown reasons. In response, angry fans demanded their money back from the box office.

Tour dates

1974

;Unknown dates

1975

;Unknown dates

Personnel

;Vocalists/dancers
;Musicians
;Orchestra
  • Various local orchestras hired – all 1974 and 1975 theater shows; regular shows starting September 1975
;Management
  • Joe Jackson – tour coordinator, manager
  • Danny O' Donovan – concert promoter
  • Jack Nance – tour manager
  • Richard Arons – tour manager
  • Bob Jones – publicist
;Wardrobe
  • Ruthie West
  • Bill Whitten
  • International Costume Co.
;Stage
  • Bob Sansom – scenery
  • Jerry Grollnek – lighting