I don't know why it didn't occur to us to go to both shows. Maybe it did, and our parents said no. It was an outdoor concert and we saw the second show. Since it was outdoors, however, we could hear the first concert throughout the fairgrounds. Janet and I headed for the midway to ride the double Ferris wheel to see if we could catch glimpse of the J5 on stage. We could't see much -- our view was blocked by the roof of the grandstand. But it was still fun riding the double Ferris wheel over and over with the sounds of all the J5's hits live in the background.
I'm sorry I don't have a photo of myself in the purple overalls my Grandma made me to wear to the concert. I'm sure you will all be able to imagine them. The only thing I have other than my memory of the concert is the newspaper review written by Lucia Herndon. A few years later, Lucia married my older brother and became my sister-in-law.
I wonder if Michael did anything special to commemorate his 13th birthday, other than singing his heart out on a hot August night in what must have felt like the middle of nowhere to him.
Wow,I'm big on Who's Lovin you so to hear another one from 1971(Going Back to Indiana's was soooo awesome)would just put a big smile on my face.
ReplyDeleteI hope they sang happy birthday to him on stage. That would have been excellent. I wonder if the boys sang 'Yesterday' at this concert.
ReplyDeleteThey sang Yesterday, but not Happy Birthday.
ReplyDeleteDid they sing I Want you Back??
ReplyDeleteThat must have been spectacular, staggering, startling, striking, stunning, stupefying and stupendous! Did you know then that it was his birthday? If only some film from shows like that would surface, like on Youtube, where you can see Osmonds at the Ohio State Fair '72---- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kp_DgPmnuY&feature=related
ReplyDelete----and I imagine it was a lot like that. So let's see, that was right before Sugar Daddy and Got to Be There, but was Randy with 'em? I love memories like that, when they're mixed with other stimuli like the smells of cotton candy and the colors and sounds of rides and laughter. Man!
I saw them once too, but it wasn't as satisfying. In 1975. Mom took my two brothers and I, but I felt sorry for the girls who where yelling out "where's Jermaine?" every 5 minutes. J5 never acknowledged their cries or mentioned him, and it was just a little unsettling. Like being in a family where everyone's trying to act like some BIG problem isn't hiding just below the surface. Actually the J5 should've let people know before they bought tickets that 'His Name is Jermaine' wasn't gonna be there. He was more important than Michael to lots.
nicely written J5C.. x
ReplyDeleteI really doubt Michael or any of his family did anything to recognize his birthday seeing how they were Jehovah Witnesses and all...
ReplyDeleteAnon @10:25: I can't remember if they sang I Want You Back or not. I remember being stunned by Yesterday, since they had never recorded it and I didn't know they performed it. The show was pretty much like the Indianapolis show you see and hear on GBTI.
ReplyDeleteJane: Joe wasn't JW and I don't think any of the boys were at this point. In fact, I believe they listed their religion as Baptist in their first concert program. I've found several pictures of Jackie, Jermaine and Randy with birthday cakes while on tour, but have never seen Michael with one.
Cool thanks.
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