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Page 2 - The Michigan [aily - Sunday, July 8, 1984
Dueling jugglers
Willy Firestone (left) of Chicago and George Tirebitter of Ann Arbor concentrate on their pins yesterday in the
Diag.
Jackson s
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - The
Jacksons' Victory Tour has hit the road
with eye-popping special effects and
high-energy performances by Michael
Jackson and his brothers, opening a 13-
city, 37-concert tour hailed by
promoters as the largest and most ex-
pensive to travel America.
For most of Friday night's 45,000 con-
cert-goers, the Jacksons' tour-opener
was a thrill even without the hit
"Thriller" and even though it was an
hour later and an hour shorter than
many expected.
JACKSON and brothers Jermaine,
Tito, Marlon and Randy hardly missed
a beat as they sang, danced and went
through several changes of their
sparkling costumes. Michael Jackson
removed his trademark sequined glove
after the first number, but slipped it
back on near the show's end.
The production designed by the
Jackson brothers dazzled the eye and
ear with red and green lasers, ex-
plosions, fireworks and even a
mechanical spider-like creature
crusted with lights. The 159-foot-side
stage, said by promoters to be the
largest ever built for an outdoor concert,
stretched from the 25-yard line to the
end zone.
"I was afraid we wouldn't get our
money's worth, but their showmanship,
their professionalism...it was great,
K.C. show thrills fans
astounding," said Irene Doll, 33, of "PYT - Pretty Young Thing," another
Shawnee, Kan. of the album's hits.
STYLE and energy were a great part AND WHILE the tour's name
of the concert in Arrowhead Stadium. corresponds with the Jacksons' new
Even when Michael seemed to be album, "Victory," which went on sale
gasping for breath while trying to sing, last week, no songs from it were per-
dance and jump all at once, fans con- formed because, tour officials said, the
tinued cheering and clapping their han- brothers believed no one wanted to hear
ds. songs that weren't familiar.
The audience gave its most en- As a group, the brothers have sold
thusiastic response when he performed more than 100 million records world-
"Beat It"' and "Billie Jean," the two wide since achieving national fame in
No. 1 hits from his album "Thriller," in 1969.
a dynamic back-to-back sequence. The concert of about 20 songs lasted
The group also performed some of one hour and 45 minutes after getting
their hits from their days as the started just before 10 p.m. about an
Jackson' 5, including a medley of "I hour late.
Want You Back," "Stop the Love You SOME WERE disappointed they
Save" and "I'll Be There." didn't get more, but few said the
BUT THE night belonged-to Michael. Jacksons didn't put on a spectacular
Shrieks and screams from the fans as show.
the 25-year-old superstar sang and dan- "My kids were disappointed it wasn't
ced evoked memories of the bob- longer. They've been to a lot of concer-
bysoxers' craze over Frank Sinatra in ts, and they thought it would be longer,
the 1940s and the adulation Elvis but they loved it anyway," said Dorothy
Presley and the Beatles once received. Osborne, 41, of Leawood, Kan.
"He's got all the moves, he's got "I thought it was great," said 12-
more energy," said Cynthia Car- year-old Theresa Doll of Shawnee
twright, 42, of Kansas City. "I thought Kan. She said it was worth the ticket
he was gorgeous." price of $30. Many fans had grumbled
A notable omission from Michael's about the relatively high price, along
solo numbers was the title tune of the with a complicated and since discarded
album "Thriller," which broke all mail-order distribution system that
records by selling more than 35 million required purchase of four tickets for a
copies and was translated to an opulent total of $120.
14-minute music video. Also absent was
Families
blockade
crossing
in Beirut
BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) - Relatives
of civil war hostages blocked the only
open crossing between Beirut's
Moslem and Christian sectors with
burning car tires yesterday in a
renewed campaign to force militia
groups to release all their prisoners.
The morning-to-evening shutdown of
the crossing coincided with efforts by
President Amin Gemayel's ad-
ministration to clear and repair three
other crossing points and reopen them
to reunite the Lebanese capital.
PUBLIC WORKS teams began
repairing the major crossings between
Christian east and mostly Moslem west
Beirut yesterday, following two days of
work by army engineers to clear away
mines and unexploded shells.
The army command announced that
Beirut's airport and port would reopen
tomorrow. The army communique also
said three of the remaining five closed
crossings between east and west Beirut
would reopen today.
The communique said the reopenings
"follow the stsbilization in the security
situation in the capitsl." The move
would cap the first stage of a Syrian-
mediated security operation to stop the
nine-year civil war.
THE GEMAYEL government has
begun making plans for the second
stage of the operation, under which the
international highways linking Beirut
with Syria and the Israeli-occupied
southern third of Lebanon would be
reopened, officials said.
The highway between Beirut and
Sidon, provincial capital in Israeli-
occupied southern Lebanon, has been
closed since February. The Beirut-
Damascus road has been closed since
September 1983.
"We are satisfied with the progress,"
Rashid Karami, who heads a coalition
Cabinet of Moslems and Christians, has
told reporters. When asked for the date
on which the airport, closed five months
ago, would reopen, he said: "Soon, God
willing."
Christian and Moslem regular army
brigades have taken over control of
Beirut from rival militias without
resistance in the early stage of the
security plan, including the midcity
"green line." It will be abolished with
the formal reopening of the crossings.
Disorders by hostage relatives at the
west end of the crossing forced army
and police to close the gateway to traf-
fic. Authorities said efforts were under
way to persuade the demonstrators to
disperse.
HAPPENINGS
Sunday Monday Turner Geriatric Clinic-Intergenerational
Department of Parks and Recreation-"Gallup Microcomputer Education Center-workshop, Women's Group, 10 p.m., 1010 Wall St.
Gallop" Fun Run, 9:45 a.m., Gallup Park; Youth MacPaint "Studio Class" demo, 3 p.m., 3014 SEB.
Fishing Party, noon, Gallup Park. CEW-course, "Refreshing Student Skills," 1610 CFT-The Return of the $ecaucus 7, 7:35 p.m.;
Cinema Guild-Mats Hari, 7:30 p.m.; Lady Chat- Washtenaw, call 764-9481. Baby, It's You, 9:30 p.m., Michigan.
erley's Lover 9:25 p.m., Lorch. Music-Timothy Huth, 8p.m., Hill. Ultimate Frisbee Club-practice, 5:30 p.m., Fuller
CFT-The Return of the Secaucus 7, 7:35 p.m.; Medicine-workshop in scientific illustration, 8:30 Park.
Baby, It's You, 9:30 p.m., Michigan. a.m., 4414 Kresge I.
Send announcements to Happenings, The Michigan Daily, 420 Maynard, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109.
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