The Jackson 5 World Tour

The Jackson 5 World Tour was the fifth overall concert tour (apart from their Steeltown Records and unofficial gigs) and first world tour by the American band the Jackson 5.

The tour began on March 2, 1973, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and it is unknown where the tour concluded in late December 1975. The tour was the biggest undertaken by the Jackson 5 during the band's lifetime, with over 160 concerts in a three-year period. The brothers toured the cities of the Americas, the United Kingdom, the Far East (including Japan, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand and a few others, and one country in Africa being Senegal.

Starting in 1974, along with their sisters Janet, Rebbie and La Toya, they perform in 11 different nightclub/theater engagements including MGM Grand, Sahara Tahoe, Mill Run Playhouse, Circle Star Theater and 6 others.

This was the last tour before they toured as six brothers again for the Victory Tour.

Japan
The brothers arrived at the Tokyo International Airport in Tokyo on April 23 due to the tour originally starting April 25. They would reside in 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 for their upcoming performance on a TV show in which they performed "Lookin' Through the Windows" and "Rockin' Robin"; although no recording is available, a picture of the performance was used as a cover for the compilation album Portrait of the Jackson 5. The Japan leg would start on April 27 in Tokyo at the Imperial Theatre as part of the Tokyo Music Festival as a special guest, not a contestant. Before their first show, a rehearsal and soundcheck commenced; the brothers did not rehearse the full set but only half. They attended an after party 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 in September 1987 during the Bad World Tour.

Australia and New Zealand
When the brothers took step in Australia, history was made. The Jackson 5 was considered the first black group to tour Australia. The brothers attracted crowds in populous cities in Australia at smaller auditoriums and arenas. In Sydney while staying inside the hotel; 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." So they were 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 security and a driver. The brothers spent 4 and a half days in New Zealand with 2 shows in Christchurch and 2 shows in Wellington.

North America
On May 13th before a 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 4 hours. According to the police, 40 people had been injured, 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" from the setlist for the 2 weeks engagement. She still came on stage at the end of every shows.

Katherine Jackson explains: "As for LaToya and Rebbie, it was decided that each would dance, LaToya in the tap-dancing segment, Rebbie during her performance of the old Peggy Lee hit 'Fever', with Michael and Marlon.

Unfortunately, because of a freak accident, the only appearance that Rebbie wound up making onstage at the MGM Grand came at the end of the show, when the children took their bows. The night before the engagement began, she was walking down the stairs into the hotel's casino holding Stacee's hand, when Stacee suddenly jumped down a couple of stairs. Rebbie had to lurch forward, and, in doing so, she wrenched her ankle. She was heartbroken that she wasn't able to perform.

As it turned out, that was the only disappointment with the engagement. 'This is the best show I've ever seen in Vegas!' dozens of audience members exclaimed to Joe and me during those two weeks. Everyone knew who we were because the children made a point of introducing us from the stage, always against my objections."

Africa
The tour was organised by Mamadou Johnny Secka. It originally included performances in Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, Kenya and Ethiopia (planned to take place from January 29 to February 18) but was cut short to only 1 week in Senegal, were they performed for 100,000 people.

"When we came off the plane in Dakar, Senegal, Africa, we were greeted by a long line of African dancers. Their drums and sounds filled the air with rhythm. I was going crazy, I was screaming, 'All right! They got the rhythm... This is it. This is where I come from. The origin.'"

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: "And the craftspeople in the marketplace were incredible. People were making things as we watched and selling other things. I remember one man who made beautiful wood carvings. He'd ask you what you wanted and you'd say, 'A man's face,' and he'd take a piece from a tree trunk, slice it, and create this remarkable face. You could watch him do it right before your eyes. I'd just sit there and watch people step up to ask him to make something for them and he'd do this whole thing over and over.It was a visit to Senegal that made us realize how fortunate we were and how our African heritage had helped to make us what we were. We visited an old, abandoned slave camp at Gore Island and we were so moved. The African people had given us gifts of courage and endurance that we couldn't hope to repay."

Mustapha Fall, National Delegate of Tourism honored Joseph 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 PM. The afternoon started with a press conference at the Othon Palace Hotel where the group stayed. After giving 2 concerts on September 13 and 14, a TV appearance was taped only containing footage of "Never Can Say Goodbye" and "Ben" due to the rest of the tape being burned down in the Tupi studio fire in 1978.

At the time, Brazil was still under military dictatorship so the concerts had to finish strictly before 10 PM.

In Rio de Janeiro, the Jackson 5 gave an interview with Radio Globo, as well as a press conference at the Hotel Nacional de Rio.

The concert in Brasília was originally scheduled on September 21, but the equipment did not arrive in time. Someone announced the cancellation of the show on the stadium speaker which infuriated the public creating chaos; angry fans broke the Jackson 5 bus windows. The concert eventually took place the next evening, September 22.

The group arrived in Panama City on October 10 at 5 PM, the same day they gave a press conference at Salon El Tonel with their official sponsor, the malt style beer brand Super Malta. The conference was not only attended by press but also by governmental authorities. Later on October 12, the group appeared at Gran Morrison Mall for an autograph signing session.

They also visited the Guna tribe.

The Jackson 5 were scheduled to be the first performers at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis on opening day, however, due to their South American tour, the concert was rescheduled to October 25. Instead, Glen Campbell performed the first concert at the arena.

Far East
Joseph 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. The tour planned for concerts in Japan spanning across three venues in Tokyo from October 24 to October 28. However these plans were cancelled for reasons unknown. US dates were performed around this time.

West Indies
The Promor Tony Cobb organized the visit of the Jackson 5 in Jamaica and made the Prime Minister Michael Manley and his spouse Beverly the special guests of 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.

Incomplete/shorter shows
Osaka (April 30, 1973) – Most songs from the setlist weren't performed presumably because of time constraints. Songs included "Skywriter", "Hallelujah Day", "Corner of the Sky", "Happy", "Music & Me", "With a Child's Heart". "Superstition" was supposed to have been the duet between Michael and Randy. However, Randy didn't participate in this performance.

Inglewood (August 26, 1973) - Only 14 (including the medley) out of the usual 18 or 19 songs were performed. All 4 of Jermaine's songs were performed including "Your in Good Hands".

St Paul (August 16, 1974) – The concert ended earlier due to the chaotic crowd.

Indianapolis (October 25, 1974) – The concert ended 20 minutes early due to unknown reasons. In response, angry fans demanded their money back from the box office.

Show performance
The tour was one the most high tech tours, specifically for Jackson 5 tours. "Skywriter" was performed using chilled fog machines.

1974

 * Unknown dates

1975

 * Unknown dates

Personnel

 * Vocalists/dancers
 * Michael Jackson – lead vocals, dancer and choreographer
 * Jackie Jackson – vocals, dancer
 * Marlon Jackson – vocals, dancer
 * Tito Jackson – vocals, lead guitar
 * Randy Jackson – vocals, dancer, conga
 * Jermaine Jackson – bass, vocals (until July 6, 1975 – 1st concert only)
 * Janet Jackson – vocals, dancer (theater shows only)
 * Rebbie Jackson – vocals, dancer (theater shows only)
 * La Toya Jackson – vocals, dancer (theater shows only)


 * Musicians
 * Johnny Jackson – Ludwig's drums
 * Ronnie Rancifer – organ, keyboard
 * Joe Scott – synthesizer
 * Phil Upchurch – bass
 * Orchestra
 * Various local orchestras hired - All 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