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.