There were rumors Michael Jackson was scheduled to appear in Atlanta sometime this year. It would have been the first time he had performed here in more than two decades. While Jackson's concerts here have been few, they've been memorable:
James Brown funeral
Michael Jackson's most recent public appearance in Georgia was at the funeral of James Brown, Dec. 30, 2006, at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center, renamed the James Brown Arena. He sat between the Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. Michael Jackson, whose music and stagecraft clearly owed a debt to the Godfather of Soul, told the congregation: "James Brown is my greatest inspiration. . . . When I saw him move, I was mesmerized. I knew that's what I wanted to do for the rest of my life."
Triumph Tour
Michael Jackson and his brothers performed at The Omni in July 1981 in the Triumph Tour, performing songs from the Jackson Five era and tunes from Michael Jackson's solo album "Off the Wall." Recordings from the Atlanta show and other dates on that tour were compiled to create a live album "The Jacksons Live!"
Victory Tour
In 1984, the ill-fated Victory Tour brought Jackson and his brothers Jermaine, Tito, Randy and Marlon to Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium for two shows, Oct. 26 and Oct. 27.
The brothers performed on a portable stage 90 feet high, 90 feet deep and 145 feet wide, one of two constructed especially for the show. While the Atlanta shows weren't sold out, they thrilled crowds at the sports facility, which has been since demolished to make room for Turner Field. The tour itself was plagued by lawsuits between the Jacksons and their promoters.
Jackson said it would be the last time he would tour with his brothers.
Bad Tour
Jackson returned without his brothers April 13-15, 1988, for three sold-out performances at The Omni, also since demolished to make room for Philips Arena. The show was to promote his album "Bad, " which failed to sell as many records as the monumental "Thriller."
-- Text by Bo Emerson; AJC file photos.
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