Scene - Blogs - Tulsa World files Memories of Michael Jackson

Tulsa World files: Memories of Michael Jackson
Published: 6/26/2009 3:21 PM
Last Modified: 6/26/2009 3:21 PM

Michael Jackson, circa 1984 (AP file)

I found these gems while combing through our archives today. Soooo cool.

Dreams come true: In 1984, 14-year-old Tulsa-area boy David Smithee, with cystic fibrosis, got his biggest wish: He went to Jackson’s Encino, Calif., home to meet him. Smithee returned with a beaded glove that Jackson wore to the American Music Awards — and the red leather jacket worn in the “Thriller” video. The boy said at the time, “If they don’t come to Tulsa, they said they’d fly us out to the nearest concert and he would dedicate 'Beat It’ to me.”

Little Smithee’s disease took his life before he got that opportunity. The Jackson 5 album “Victory” was dedicated to him, as well as to Jackson’s mother, Marvin Gaye and Teddy Pendergrass.

(Psst: One of our reporters found his mother! Check Sunday's Tulsa World for more news on Ms. Smithee.)

I also found this: The Tulsa World reported on both Jackson 5 shows in Tulsa: in August 1971 and July 1972. The first show sold out, and the second one featured a sixth Jackson, Randy, on the conga drums. Tickets for the 1971 show at Assembly Center Arena were $4, $5 and $6. Of it, the World reported: “The highlights of the Jacksons portion of the program included ... the very tender blues singing of 11-year-old lead singer Michael on 'Who’s Lovin’ You.’” (The opening act was “new Motown find” the Commodores.)

And: Michael Mania: In 1984, a Tulsa World reporter went to a Dallas tour stop for the Jacksons and reported: Headbands were $5, buttons $2, sunglasses $12, wax-paper "souvenir" cups $1.75. David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen both made a stage appearance on “Beat It.” The concert had the largest-ever security force at any Dallas event. ... And the wait to get onto the freeway after the show stretched to an hour and a half.

Reader Comments

2 Total

Show: Newest First

Learn About Our Comment Policy

realityck (4 years ago)

My memories of Michael Jackson are much different. To me he represented the worst role model for the young that was ever born.

Bun-E (4 years ago)

Don't choke on your self righteous bile realityck.

2 comments displayed

To post comments on tulsaworld.com, you must be an active Tulsa World print or digital subscriber and signed into your account.

To sign in to your account, go to tulsaworld.com/signin.
To activate your print subscription for unlimited digital access and to post comments, go to tulsaworld.com/activate.
To purchase a subscription, go to tulsaworld.com/subscribe.

Barrelhouse Beat

Barrelhouse: A colloquialism describing the low saloons at the turn of the century (19th) that served whiskey straight out of the barrel. It's also a reference to the type of music played in those venues. Ex: Barrelhouse music.

Beat: The time or timing. Ex: The band played with a solid beat. Also used as a term describing a reporters specific area of expertise. Ex: The music beat.

About me: I'm Okie born and raised, and have lived all over the state: Oklahoma City, Enid, Moore, Norman, Edmond and Tulsa. I am a music geek, writer, graphic designer and amateur photographer and videographer who's followed the Tulsa and regional music scene since I moved to Green Country more than 10 years ago. I've been enmeshed in Tulsa's varied and vibrant musical night life, what some of us affectionately call a modernized throwback to the Barrelhouse scene, since that time. I fell in love with it. I fell hard.

Subscribe to this blog

Archive

Past Articles By Jennifer Chancellor

2/17/2013		Tulsan Johnny Polygon a rapper who delights in hometown crowd
2/15/2013		The Who brings nostalgia, ingenuity to BOK Center
2/15/2013		Lady Gaga tour is canceled
2/15/2013		Audio Adrenaline concert moves to April 7
2/14/2013		The Who brings 'other' rock opera to Tulsa's BOK Center
2/14/2013		Okies nominated for several top ACM awards
2/14/2013		Epic moments of rock 'n' roll history in Tulsa
2/14/2013		The Who talks about 'Quadrophenia' rock opera ahead of BOK show Thursday
2/14/2013		Shawnee songstress Samantha Crain to play Tulsa CD release show Friday
2/14/2013		Rick Springfield to play River Spirit Event Center on Saturday
2/14/2013		Local music roundup: Vaudvillian sideshows? Nerd nights? Live music? Parties? Yes, yes, yes and yes.
2/14/2013		Eli Young band coming to Brady Theater for first time

Jennifer Chancellor's Blog Archive:

2/2013	1/2013	12/2012	11/2012	10/2012	9/2012
8/2012	7/2012	6/2012	5/2012	4/2012	3/2012
2/2012	1/2012	12/2011	11/2011	10/2011	9/2011
8/2011	7/2011	6/2011	5/2011	4/2011	3/2011
2/2011	1/2011	12/2010	11/2010	10/2010	9/2010
8/2010	7/2010	6/2010	5/2010	4/2010	3/2010
2/2010	1/2010	12/2009	11/2009	10/2009	9/2009
8/2009	7/2009	6/2009	5/2009	4/2009	3/2009
2/2009	1/2009	12/2008	11/2008	10/2008	9/2008
8/2008	7/2008	6/2008	5/2008	4/2008	3/2008
2/2008	1/2008	12/2007	11/2007	10/2007	9/2007

Jennifer Chancellor
BarrelhouseBeat

Join the conversation

Your bookmark will appear on your Profile page. Please give it a title, and short description so that visitors to your page will understand where the bookmark leads.
Bookmark Title :

Bookmark Text :