Note: If viewing Michael Jackson Ultimate Archive on archive.org (Wayback Machine), please view the latest snapshot of this page for the most up-to-date information and media.

London, England Arrival

Date confirmed in Getty Images’ ITN Archive (archived) (“July 11, 1988”)

Chris Cadman, author, “Michael Jackson the Maestro”

The first thing Michael wanted to do when he landed at Heathrow airport in London was greet his British fans. However, officials at the airport were against the idea of Michael walking across the tarmac from the plane in case of fans becoming out of control. When Michael heard of the airports concerns he told an aide he was upset about the planned ban.

“They have no right to stop the kids from seeing me. Britain is the jewel in the crown of my European tour and I want to show people how happy I am to be here.”

Michael did walk a short distance across the tarmac as his British fans stood cheering him from the terminal building.