By JENNIFER CHANCELLOR Scene Writer on Jun 26, 2009, at 3:21 PM Updated on 6/26 at 3:21 PM
BARRELHOUSE BEAT
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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.
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