14. YOU ARE MY LOVELY ONE | Michael Jackson | Thriller World Tour 1983 | Live in Birmingham
Michael Jackson's Thriller World Tour (1983-1984): After the monumental success of his album Thriller in 1982, Michael Jackson embarked on the highly anticipated "Thriller World Tour" from 1983 to 1984. This tour, which became one of the most iconic tours in music history, spanned 15 months and included 100 shows across six continents, thrilling millions of fans worldwide. The tour kicked off in September 1983 at the Wembley Stadium in London, England, Birmingham in November, marking the beginning of the first leg that covered Europe. Jackson performed 25 shows across major cities such as Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Madrid. Each performance was characterized by high-energy choreography, groundbreaking special effects, and dazzling costumes inspired by his iconic Thriller music video. The second leg of the tour began in January 1984 and covered North America, where Jackson performed 40 sold-out shows in arenas and stadiums across the United States and Canada. This leg included a historic 7-night run at Madison Square Garden in New York City, which broke box office records. The shows featured not only hits from Thriller such as “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and “Thriller” but also favorites from his earlier albums like Off the Wall. The final leg of the tour concluded in December 1984 with 15 shows in South America and Africa, where Michael was greeted by an overwhelming turnout of fans. The concerts in Rio de Janeiro and Johannesburg were particularly memorable, with over 100,000 attendees each night. The Thriller World Tour was not just a concert series; it was a cultural phenomenon that revolutionized live performance with its innovative use of pyrotechnics, synchronized video backdrops, and multi-level staging. The Thriller World Tour remains one of the highest-grossing tours of its time and solidified Michael Jackson’s status as the “King of Pop.” It was praised for its technical innovations, groundbreaking choreography, and for bringing people of all backgrounds together through music. The tour’s influence is still felt in the design and production of modern-day concerts, making it a true hallmark in the history of live entertainment.
