 1981
- Michael films for Suzuki commercials in Japan using 'Don’t Sop 'Til You Get
Enough'.
1981 - Michael interviews with "Right On!" magazine,
discussing God and creation, color-blindness, and confirming the pride of his
roots in a visit to Africa.
January 30, 1981 - Michael appears on the "8th Annual
American Music Awards", accepting the "Favorite Pop/Rock Album Award for his "Off
the Wall" album, and the "Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist Award". Michael speaks
in tribute for John Lennon and his deep respect for Chuck Berry, who received the
"Award of Merit".
February 6, 1981 - Michael, after being called on stage, performs
"Upside Down" with Diana Ross during a concert in Los Angeles,
California at the Forum for her future "Diana" TV special.
February 28, 1981 - Michael and The Jacksons' "Can You Feel It"
music video, which Michael directed and contains innovative special
effects is released along with its accompanying single.
March 1981 - Michael, with Tito and Janet, interviews with Stephen Rosen,
discussing their progress since Destiny, his experiences at Motown, and how
songs are created. Michael answers Stephen's questions through LaToya.
March 1981 / Early February 1983 - Michael records "Say
Say Say" with Paul McCartney.
March 1981 / Early February 1983 - Michael records "The
Man" with Paul McCartney.
~February 25, 1981 - Michael calls singer Adam Ant after viewing a
performance of his band's song "Kings of the Wild Frontier", asking about the
drum sounds and his jacket.
March 2, 1981 - Michael's performances for Diana Ross’s TV Special on CBS
entitled "Diana" are aired, which include duets with Diana of "Rock With You"
and "Ease On Down The Road". He briefly chats with her between songs. An "Upside
Down" performance of Michael with Diana from a February 6, 1981 concert also
airs in the special.
March
1981 - Michael and The Jacksons interview with "New Musical Express", discussing
favorite actors and comedy; they then go interview at an international press
conference, discussing Michael's solo success, the peacock symbol for the group,
his love for scuba diving and James Bond, and the idea of love in their music.
March 31, 1981 - Michael attends the 53rd Academy Awards with Diana Ross; they
then go to an after party where he meets and befriends actress Brooke Shields.
May
1981 - Michael records "Say Say Say" and "The Man" for Paul McCartney's "Pipes
of Peace" album while spending time at McCartney's country estate in Sussex;
Michael first learns of owning songs from Paul. On the flight home, Michael
writes the song "Muscles".
June 1981 - Michael's interview with Anthony Hill for "Rock & Soul"
and "Soul Teen" magazines at his Encino home is published, discussing
competition with himself, his brother Jermaine, music technology, and his newly
built 16 track studio at the family home, is published.
June 17, 1981 - Michael's backing vocals for Kenny
Rogers' "Goin' Back to Alabama", is released with Rogers' "Share Your Love"
album.
June 27 - ~July 8, 1981 - Michael and The Jacksons rehearse for their upcoming
Triumph Tour.
~Mid-July
1981 - Michael attends a circus performance in New Orleans, Louisiana.
July 22, 1981 - Michael and The Jacksons perform in Atlanta, Georgia, at
the Omni Coliseum for their "Triumph Tour".
August
12, 1981 - Michael and The Jacksons perform in Atlanta, Georgia, for their
"Triumph Tour"; Michael and his brothers later interview with "Ebony" magazine,
discussing their decision to start splitting up the group.
August
15, 1981 - Michael receives the first Scotty Award for his "Off the Wall" album
going Platinum, being mastered on Scotch recording tape, and acceptance by a
panel of knowledgeable judges.
August 8, 1981 - Michael's interview with "Juke" magazine, discussing
anonymity, "A Chorus Line", and disco, and if Joe still had control over his and
his brothers' careers, is published.
August
18-19, 1981 - Michael and the Jacksons perform in New York City, New York, at
Madison Square Garden, for their "Triumph Tour". Andy Warhol is in the audience
for the first show.
August 21, 1981 - Michael and The Jacksons perform in Detroit, Michigan,
at the Joe Louis Arena for their "Triumph Tour"; Michael and The Jacksons
interview with "Los Angeles Times" earlier while enroute to Detroit, discussing
his tiredness of touring.
August
31, 1981 - Michael and The Jacksons perform in Nashville, Tennessee, at the
Nashville Municipal Auditorium for "The Triumph Tour". At a meet and greet after
the show, they meet singer William Lee Golden from The Oak Ridge Boys.
September 2, 1981 - Michael and the Jacksons perform in St. Louis,
Missouri, at the Checkerdome; Michael interviews with Robert Hilburn from "LA
Times" on the tour bus after the concert, discussing why he doesn't live on his
own, his loneliness, and his real goal.
September 18/19/25/26, 1981 - Michael and The Jacksons perform in southwestern Los
Angeles' Inglewood, California at The Forum for The Triumph Tour.
October 1981 - Michael records background vocals
for Joe King Carrasco's "Don't Let a Woman (Make a Fool Out of You)" for
Carrasco's "Synapse Gap" album while he's with The Jacksons at Studio 55 in
Los Angeles, California, mixing their upcoming "The Jacksons Live!" album.
***November 11, 1981 - Michael and his
brothers compile professional recordings of performances from Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, and the Pittsburgh Civic Arena concerts and release "The
Jacksons Live" album. |
1980s‎ > ‎