I Know Just How You Feel, Kid

Actual caption: "I wish they'd play the Jackson 5 songs."

African Fans

Nothing had prepared the Jackson 5 for the level of recognition and love they received when they were in Senegal. During the trip, Jackie commented that he had had no idea they had so many African fans, and that they were just like fans in the United States.

It's true. They played to record audiences who danced and screamed and applauded, just like American fans did. And wherever the Jackson 5 went, they were recognized. But they weren't so much mobbed as treated with reverence and respect. Here's a great photo of Jackie, stopping to talk with young fans in the market area.

And Marlon was a favorite with the young ladies -- and scorned by jealous boys -- at home and in Senegal.


But everywhere the J5 went, it was Randy who was showered with attention and adoration. Maybe it was because he was the smallest. Maybe it was his willingness to jump right in and learn the traditional dances. Or maybe it was an appreciation for his drumming. Whatever the reason, he was the only group member who was given a ceremonial robe at the end of one of their concerts.

In the photo to the left, he poses with a Nigerian student. From the expression on Randy's face, it looks like he is already tired of posing for photos with adoring fans. He just wants to get out and snap some pictures. But wait! Some of the student's friends also want to pose for a photo with Randy.

At the far left side of this photo, you can see just the edge of Michael, who is being completely ignored by the students who only have eyes for Randy.

Speaking of Nigeria, the only thing in my collection that's from Africa is a photocard from Nigeria. It measures 4 x 6 inches, and if you look closely, you can see it's actually a photograph of a poster that was once folded, and has been tacked to wooden planks of a floor or wall.

I absolutely treasure this item. It's one of my favorite artifacts, due to its origin. I sometimes wonder about the Nigerian fan who bought this card and kept it safely for so many years before it found its way to eBay and my collection. Even though Randy was not included in the photo.

5ive questions for... ChiDrummer

ChiDrummer on stage at Millennium Park in Chicago, June 2010

Regulars on the Soulful Detroit Forum know ChiDrummer for his perceptive comments about music, but J5 fans there know him for his amazing memories from the early days of the Jackson 5. As a young fan, he saw them in concert in Chicago three times (1971, 1972, and in 1984 for the Victory Tour) and twice in Ohio (Destiny and Triumph tours). I was eager to find out more about what these experiences were like for him, and, fortunately, he was willing to answer 5ive questions. He even provided some photos from his personal collection. (I wish I had had the foresight to take a photo of my bedroom wall in 1972! it looked a lot like this, except it was a bit more Jermaine-heavy.)

ChiDrummer's bedroom wall in 1972

How long have you been a J5 fan? How old were you when you first saw them in concert?
I guess I’ve been there almost from the beginning. I was a fifth grader when “I Want You Back” was released. I had my parents buy the ABC LP when it was released, and then I went back and bought Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5. I first saw them during the 1971 tour in July. The Commodores opened for them. I still have the ticket – second row seats (thanks, Dad!).

ChiDrumer's view from the second row in '71

What was it like being in the crowd -- could you actually hear them over all the screaming fans?
Hear them? In ’71 and ’72, hell no! The shows were madhouses. The sheer madness of the ’71 and ’72 shows was unbelievable. 10,000 crazed screaming girls is a rather unique sound. The stage rushes, the girls trying to get the attention of just one of the Jacksons was a sight to behold. Even though I was just a kid myself. Great memories. I’ve even grabbed a little of it for myself over the years.

By the late ‘70s, PA technology had caught up with the size of the venues. Also, we as fans had matured a bit.

Is there anything especially memorable that happened at any of the concerts you attended?
There was something about that first one in ’71 that stood out as special on many different levels. In the early days I think they always considered the Chicago shows to be a bit of a homecoming, especially after 1970. I think they actually played Gary only once after 1970, so they tended to mention how cool it was to be home.

Signed concert program from 1971-72

Is it true that they used to perform "Big Boy" live when they returned to Chicago?
I never saw them sing “Big Boy” the times I saw them in Chicago. They might have done it when they were still a club act. I can’t imagine Motown would have allowed them to sing it after they started making hits for them.

Destiny Tour, Hara Arena, Dayton, Ohio, Oct 21, 1979

How many times did you see them in concert after they left Motown, and how did it compare?
I saw them three times after they left Motown. I’d have to say that was probably their prime as live performers. They were better singers, employed better musicians, the production was bigger and tighter. I don’t think they ever got better than they were during the Triumph tour. Unfortunately, the Victory Tour was almost a word-for-word repeat of the Triumph tour.

Triumph Tour, Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, Ohio, Aug. 8, 1981

Enterprising Fans

Today we may marvel at the idea of seeing the Jackson 5 live for $3.50 -- and getting the best seats in the house for just $6.50. But back in 1970, even the lowest ticket prices were more than many young fans could afford. And considering that many of them were so young, they had to take an older sibling, parent, or aunt along, so you'd have to double the ticket price.

Nine-year-old Jill Jackson and her friends set up a lemonade stand in their Los Angeles neighborhood to raise the money for their tickets to the J5's June 20, 1970, show at the Forum. A photograph of these young entrepreneurs appeared in J. Randy Taraborrelli's book Motown: Hot Wax, City Cool and Solid Gold.



I found the backstory, as well as their names (and addresses!) in the June 18, 1970, issue of the Los Angeles Sentinel.

I hope Jill and her friends earned enough money for their tickets. At 5¢ a glass, that's a lot of lemonade, even for the $3.50 seats.

Michael Monday: Meeting Fans

I'm always on the look out for amateur photographs snapped by fans because they sometimes provide great candid shots of the Jackson 5. Here are two photos from different sources that were obviously snapped on the same day in the spring of 1971.

The first I bought years ago on eBay, and it shows Michael posing with a shy young fan.


The second one, found online by Raisa, shows him with a young fan who's a bit more forward. Just as the photo was snapped, she turned to plant a big wet kiss on Michael's cheek. I love her sideways glance at the camera, and the little girl to Michael's right looks like she thinks she will get her turn next.



You may wonder why these young fans are even in Michael's hotel room to start with. I actually have more questions about this adult fan, who had her photo taken with Michael in his hotel room, even though he was already in his pajamas. It looks like she stormed in and wouldn't leave till they all looked through her J5 scrapbooks.