1970s‎ > ‎

1979

1979 - Michael's interview with "Tiger Beat Star" magazine, discussing his birthday, car, and future, is published.

1979 - Michael and Marlon visit DJ Gary Byrd at WWRL Radio station in New York in 1979, during the Destiny Tour. They were there to promote the tour and their successful album.

1979 - Michael writes a song entitled "In the Life of Chico".

1979 - Michael writes a list of his favorite books for the Young Adult Services of the Chicago Public Library.

1979 - Michael and The Jacksons' recording of Dr. Pepper "Be a Pepper" jingles, airs on radio.

 1979 - Michael interviews with "Right On!" magazine, discussing Los Angeles, and talking about being a "stage addict".

1979 - Michael interviews with DJM Records press officer Gerry Fallon, discussing working on "The Wiz", "Off the Wall", his dislike of the term "disco music", and his love for dancing.

1979 - Michael and The Jacksons interview with radio host Dave Prince, promoting their Destiny album and tour, and discussing their beginnings.

***January 1979 - MICHAEL J. MEETS THE PRESS Rock & Soul Magazine

1979 - Michael donates an unspecified number of books, including Peter Pan, to the Chicago Public Library's Young Adult Section and promotes reading through a library program called "Boogie to the Book Beat".

~January 1979 - Michael and The Jacksons interview with "Jet" magazine, discussing dreams, and Michael's financial standing and investments; Joe Jackson gives recollection to "Jet" about Michael The Jacksons.

~Early-Mid January 1979 - Michael interviews with Daily Mirror, discussing the Wiz and looking forward to coming back to Britain during the Destiny World Tour.

January 29, 1979 - Michael and the Jacksons' interview with Candy Tusken for Westwood One's "Star Trak" radio show is aired.

January 1979 - Michael and the Jacksons appear on "Soul Train" for the Jacksons' 10th anniversary, interviewing with host Don Cornelius as a group, reacting to their 1972 "Soul Train" performance of "I Want You Back", performing "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)", "Things I Do For You", and Michael, after interviewing with Cornelius, performs "Push Me Away". Later, Michael interviews with Cornelius on more about the Wiz before a clip of "Ease on Down the Road" is shown.

January 1979 - Michael's interview with "Rock & Soul" magazine, discussing "The Wiz" and his plans in acting, is published.

January 1, 1979 - Michael's interview with "Earth News Radio" with some of his brothers, discussing their creative issues at Motown, the true Motown story, his love for the stage, and difficulties during "The Wiz" filming, airs.

January 15, 1979 - Michael's interview alongside his brothers for "Record Report With Robert W. Morgan" airs.

January 21, 1979 - Michael and the Jacksons appear on Musikladen, performing "Blame It On the Boogie".

Mid-January 1979 - Michael records "Get on the Floor".

January 28-30, 1979 - Michael and The Jacksons perform in Madrid, Spain at the Teatro Monumental for their "Destiny World Tour". During one of these days, Michael and The Jacksons appear on Spanish television show "Aplauso", performing "Goin' Places", "Destiny", "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" and 'Blame It on the Boogie".

February 1979 - Michael and the Jacksons interview with Jet Magazine for a cover story entitled "The Jacksons 10 Years Later". ADD IMAGES

February 1979 - Michael interviews with Juke Magazine, discussing his future collaboration with Paul McCartney, and his reasons for wanting a co-producer for his next "Off the Wall" album. (SECOND SECTION - TRANSCRIPTION COMING SOON)

February 1-2, 1979 - Michael and The Jacksons perform in Amsterdam, Netherlands at the Royal Theatre Carré for their "Destiny World Tour". On one of these days, Michael does a photoshoot with photographer Barry Schultz.

Early February 1979 - The Jacksons appear on Dutch televsion show "TopPop", performing the song 'Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)' in the Dutch program Avro's Top Pop.

February 2, 1979 - Michael and the Jacksons appear on "Sonja's Goed Nieuws Show", performing 'Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)' and 'Blame It On The Boogie'. Michael meets backstage Peppi & Kokki and François van Weelden.

February 2, 1979 - Michael and the Jacksons' appearance on "The Midnight Special", performing 'Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)', 'Destiny' (joined by brother Jermaine), 'Things I Do For You' and a second 'closing' performance of 'Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)', airs.

February 6-9, 1979 - Michael and The Jacksons perform in London, England at the Rainbow Theatre for their "Destiny World Tour"; Michael interviews with "Disco Dancing" magazine at his hotel on one of these dates, discussing his love of being on stage and dancing, Fred Astaire, marriage and children, Tatum O'Neal, behind the scenes of "The Wiz", and his father's strictness. That day, he also does a photoshoot dressed as Charlie Chaplin with photographer Tony Prime while visiting various places related to Chaplin. Michael interviews for the article "These Boys Got Destiny".

February 8, 1979 - Michael and the Jacksons appear on the British music chart TV show "Top of the Pops" and perform "Destiny"; earlier, Michael interviews with "Superpop" magazine in his dressing room between rehearsals, discussing his upcoming solo album, behind the scenes of "The Wiz", and his love for animals.

 February 9, 1979 - Michael interviews, beside George Harrison, with presenter David "Kid" Jensen and producer Mike Hawks for "Roundtable" by BBC Radio 1, reviewing the upcoming singles of the week. He also discusses with Harrison "Something", his favorite Beatles track, and his friendship with Maia Newley.

February 10, 1979 - Michael and The Jackson 5's appearance on "American Bandstand", performing "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)", "Push Me Away", and "Things I Do For You", with two interviews with host Dick Clark between the songs, airs.

February 14, 1979 - Michael and The Jackson 5 appear on "Disco in the Snow", performing "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" and "Blame it on the Boogie" on the snowy mountains at Les Diablerets in Leysin, Switzerland. During his stay in Switzerland, Michael mails a painting set to his sister Janet.

February 15, 1979 - Michael and The Jackson 5 appear on "Christmas Snowtime Special", also known as "ABBA Snowtime" (edited special), performing "Destiny" in the lobby of Central Hotel in Leysin, Switzerland.

February 17, 1979 - Michael and The Jacksons perform in Manchester, England, at the Manchester Apollo for the "Destiny World Tour".

February 18, 1979 - Michael and The Jacksons perform in Birmingham, England, at the Bingley Hall for the "Destiny World Tour". After the concert, Michael interviews with "New Musical Express" at the hotel's pool and sauna, discussing his likes of touring, love of children, and the differences between playing in theatres and arenas.

 February 19, 1979 - Michael and the Jacksons perform in Leeds, England, at Queens Hall for the Destiny World Tour. Also, Michael interviews with Terry George, who had found the Jacksons' room at the Dragonara Hotel.

February 23-24, 1979 - Michael and The Jacksons perform in London, England at the Rainbow Theatre for the "Destiny World Tour".

February 24, 1979 - Michael and The Jackson 5's interview with "Black Echoes" magazine, discussing work on "Destiny", "The Wiz" appearance, and musical influences.

February 25, 1979 - Michael perform in Bournemouth, England, at Pavilion Theatre, for their Destiny World Tour. Around this time (possibly one or two days before) Michael is interviewed for the "These Boys Got Destiny" article.

 February 26, 1979 - Michael and the Jacksons perform in Amsterdam, Holland, at Koninklijk Theater Carré (Royal Theatre Carré) for the Destiny World Tour.

Spring 1979 - Michael records "Burn This Disco Out".

Spring 1979 - Michael records "Rock with You".

Spring 1979 - Michael records the song "Off the Wall".

Early March 1979 - Michael and The Jacksons appear on Dutch TV show "TROS Top 50", also known as "Rock Planet", and perform "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)".

March 2, 1979 - Michael and the Jacksons perform in Paris, France at Le Palace for the Destiny World Tour.

 Late March-Mid April 1979 - Michael records background vocals for "Save Me", a duet written and sung by Dave Mason, during one of his breaks while recording Off the Wall at Westlake Studios.

April 19-22, 1979 - Michael and The Jacksons perform at the "Valley Forge Music Fair" in Devon, Pennsylvania.

May 2, 1979 - Michael appears on a commercial for the "WJPC 95 AM" Chicago radio station, trying to get his pet bird to say the station's name.

~Summer 1979 - Michael interviews with Jet Magazine after completing his "Off the Wall" album.

Summer 1979 - Michael does a photoshoot for his "Off the Wall" album cover with Mike Salisbury.

Summer 1979 - Michael, along with The Jacksons, interviews with "Ebony" magazine, discussing money, Tatum O'Neal, remembering roots, raunchy song lyrics, dancing, clothes, interests, animals, religion, prayer, staying with the group, education, close friendships and shyness, and thoughts on success.

June 9, 1979 - Michael and The Jacksons perform in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Centre Arena for their "Destiny World Tour"; prior to the concert, they interview with "The Washington Post".

June 18, 1979 - Michael talks about the Destiny album and the upcoming release of the Triumph album, and talks about his offer for a role in the film "A Chorus Line".

June 27 - July 1, 1979 - Michael attends one of the days for the five-day "Black Radio Exclusive" convention and meets Marvin Gaye to shake his hand after his performance.

July 1, 1979 - Michael attends a party with Tatum O'Neal in the City National Bank Vault in Beverly Hills, honoring The Jacksons' Platinum and Gold achievements. Michael and The Jacksons receive a Platinum Record for their "Destiny" album as well as other Gold and Silver records. Michael interviews with "Blues & Soul" magazine at his home, discussing the peacock symbol, politics in music, children, world cultures, "Off the Wall", and the next Jacksons album. Michael then attends a party for the 10th anniversary of the Doobie Brothers at the Friars Club, performing a 40-minute rendition of "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)".

~Mid-July 1979 - Michael does a photoshoot with photographer Jim McCrary for possible album cover ideas for his next solo release; he eventually chooses not to use these images.

July 15, 1979 - Michael interviews with "Jet" magazine, discussing his recently finished and upcoming "Off the Wall" album and various people in his life who have inspired him.

August 1979 - Michael and The Jacksons' interview with "Ebony Jr." magazine, discussing school, having a big family, the future, and favorite experiences over the past ten years, is published.

August 10, 1979 - Michael's "Off the Wall" album is released, including album cover art and liner notes.

~August-Fall 1979 - Michael visits Oakland, California, at Soul Beat Studios, to perform "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and interview for Soul Beat TV, discussing school and Jackie Wilson, as a part of his promotion for his "Off the Wall" album.

August 16, 1979 - Michael's interview with "Jet" magazine at his Encino home, discussing his relationship with Tatum O'Neal, female fans, racism, God, and his lifestyle, is published.

August 17-19, 1979 - Michael and The Jacksons perform in Detroit, Michigan at the Pontiac Silverdome for their "Victory World Tour".

Summer 1979 - Michael interviews with "Soul" magazine in celebration of his upcoming 21st birthday, discussing the streets, crazy fans, Muhammad Ali, Stevie Wonder, leaving the group and family house, and becoming a man.

August 29, 1979 - Michael, along with his brother Marlon, appear on "American Top 40", interviewing with host Casey Kasem.

 August 30, 1979 - Michael and his brothers interview for a radio special for "The Robert W. Morgan Special of the Week", which is set to air next year. He discusses universality of music, age, producing and writing their own music, the early beginnings in Gary to Jackson 5, the Wiz, and thanking God for his opportunities.

~Fall 1979 - Michael's interviews with various radio stations is published in "Dynamite" magazine.

***September 1979 - MICHAEL JACKSON’S PEACOCK MUSIC Blues & Soul 28th August-10th September, 1979

September 4, 1979 - Michael does a short interview by phone from his Encino home with Lisa Robinson talking about Off the Wall, Quincy Jones, the Wiz, and his love for film-making.

 October 1979 - Michael records background vocals for Kenny Loggins' "Who's Right, Who's Wrong" for Loggins' "Keep the Fire" album.

October 2-3, 1979 - Michael and The Jacksons perform in New Orleans, Louisiana, at the Municipal Auditorium for their Destiny World Tour.

October 12, 1979 - Michael and The Jacksons perform in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the Spectrum for their "Destiny World Tour".

October 31, 1979 - Michael attends a fundraiser, 'Stars Come Out For The Sun', in Hollywood Palladium (Studio 54?), Los Angeles. The event was organised by Jackson's friend at the time, American actress, writer and activist, Jane Fonda and was to benefit solar energy; along with Jon Voight, and the Village People.

November 1979 - Michael's interview with "Playgirl" magazine, discussing Diana Ross' "discovery" of The Jackson 5 and The Wiz, is published.

November 4-5, 1979 - Michael and The Jacksons perform in Detroit, Michigan, at the Cobo Hall for their "Destiny World Tour"; Michael interviews with "Black Stars" magazine after one of the shows, discussing colorless music, marriage, his thoughts on drugs use, staying with The Jacksons; he also discusses his diet and provides a couple recipes.

November 6, 1979 - Michael writes a mission statement  for himself on the back of a tour itinerary, describing what he wants to become and how he'll accomplish it.

November 9, 1979 - Michael interviews with "WBLS" radio station's Frankie Crocker, discussing family, the "Destiny" songs and tour, and "The Wiz". Michael and the Jacksons then perform in Uniondale, New York at Nassau Coliseum for their Destiny World Tour. After the concert, Michael and Marlon interview with Sylvia Chase in the back of their limo for a 20/20 special report.

November 10, 1979 - Michael and The Jacksons perform in Hampton, Virginia, at Hampton Coliseum for their "Destiny World Tour".

November 25, 1979 - Michael and The Jacksons perform in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Omni Coliseum for their "Destiny World Tour".

November 27, 1979 - Michael reads a letter addressed to Michael's publicist Norman Winter from Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner, refusing an offer for a cover story.

~December 18, 1979 - Michael interviews with "Billboard" magazine, discussing possibly leaving the group, shifting to more songwriting at CBS, "Off the Wall", and other future solo prospects. He also discusses considering various film projects, leaving his brothers and work on film projects, Jacksons' next album, his love of the studio, and losing his voice during tour.

December 2, 1979 - Michael attends the birthday of Studio 54 co-owner Steve Rubell at Studio 54.

December 10, 1979 - Michael receives a special platinum award from Don Dempsey, senior vice president and general manager of Epic, in recognition of the 4 million sales of his "Off the Wall" album.

December 15, 1979 - Michael and The Jacksons perform in San Diego, California, at the San Diego Sports Arena for their Destiny World Tour.

December 16, 1979 - Michael and The Jacksons perform in Oakland, California, at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena for their Destiny World Tour. During the day, they receive Oakland's key to the city by Mayor Lionel J. Wilson,

December 18, 1979 - Michael and The Jacksons perform in Inglewood of southwestern Los Angeles, California, at The Forum for their Destiny World Tour.