I'd have been 15 at the Bad concert so remember it quite vividly.
Firstly it was amazing that MJ was coming to Leeds. This was in the years of the ultimate superstar & Bruce Springsteen, Rolling Stones & Madonna had played in the previous 2 years. But this was Michael Jackson & the whole city was super-hyped.
Everyone, and I mean everyone wanted a ticket. It wasn't even a question. From the super fans like myself to the casual listener to the general music fan. Even at the time of the (then quite expensive) £28.50!!!
I don't recall how we got the tickets, I think it was just pressing redial about 200 times (this was obviously pre-internet, Ticketmaster etc...).
Anyway, we got them. My Dad, sister & myself. I recall us all walking to Roundhay Park alongside 90,000 others. The streets were just swamped. It was a great day weather wise (late August) and we managed to get relatively good standing position, probably a third back to the left).
I guess this is more detail that you want to know?!
The main bits I recall are the trepidation as the stage went dark & the underlying noise that started pre WBSS. Then the screams as the 'BAM, BAM, BAM' hit!
Billie Jean! Especially the hat toss into the audience (I was nowhere near it!).
But the overriding memory was the break down in SOOML. This was because that was when 90,000 fans started singing 'Happy Birthday' for it was the great man's 30th. He tried to keep his composure (I didn't judge of it), but started laughing & saying thank you.
It was just brilliant, well you know that, you've seen it.
4 years later and by then I was just infatuated. Dangerous was already my most beloved album of all time and I just couldn't wait. Again, my Dad, sister & I did the same walk down but this time I was closer to the front & have more vivid memories.
The main memory that still makes my chest bang was the toaster pop-up. Again, before any internet there was no spoilers, so I had no idea I was about to see that. ****ing Hell. Then opening with Jam. One of the best records ever to open an album or concert with.
I remember adoring WYBT and all the new stuff, slightly disgruntled about no Who Is It or GITM (I still am!). I didn't realise at the time any was lip-synced so I recall thinking how much his vocal had improved on certain songs!
Man In The Mirror was another obvious highlight, especially as 'he' flew right over my head!
I remember walking home from this one & tearing down the huge billboard picture that I till have. I also recall phoning the local radio station when I got back & won the competition winning a Dangerous T shirt (that I still have) plus a mask and a pin badge which I hate to say I lost.
HIStory I went to twice and anyone who has ever read a post I have made on the tour knows they were less than fulfilling experiences for me. I went to Sheffield & then Wembley. I wouldn't have done both but they announced Wembley first so I bought for that, then annoyingly then announced the one closer to home.
Firstly I was sat down for Sheffield which wasn't great. Most of it I'd seen twice before now, I thought the Spaceman entry compared to Dangerous was poor & the video went on for ever! I was so excited when he opened with Scream but when that, and TDCAU & In The Closet were only half songs, it was annoying. And then we had the blatant lip-syncing for 90%. Also, I felt the audience on both occasions were less than impressed.
Having said that the awesomeness of the first two tours overrides any bad memories of HIStory. I was so pleased when Bad25 came out & I finally had great memories to recall.
The best part of the Bad & slightly lesser extent Dangerous experience was the feeling of unity that everyone had to go, the 90,000 all walking there & back and the way it just brought everyone together.
Sha'mone muthafunsters.
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