University of Tennessee Knoxville - Volunteer Yearbook (Knoxville, TN)

Page 22 text:

Jacksons Cont. ly sold out, and on July 30, tickets went on sale for a third show. At about the same time, UT and the Knoxville News-Sentinel received letters threatening the Jackson brothers' lives. The letters said the shows would turn into another lVIcDonald's. The threat was in reference to the slaying of 22 persons at a San Ysidro, Calif. lVlcDonald's restaurant in July. , Concern over the threats mounted until Aug. 6 when local promoters prematurely announced that the concerts were in- definitely postponed. National promoters phoned local media sources late that night announcing the shows would go on as Croskey, a Knoxville Police detective hired to coordinate uniformed security within the stadium. More than 300 T- shirt security workers had been previously hired by G-Force Entertain- ment Co. to assist the uniformed officers. Stage construction began Aug. 8, as muscle-bound T-shirt security workers shooed members of the media away from the stadium. One security worker roared around the stadium on a motorcycle, stopped all reporters, and informed them the stadium was technically private property. On Aug. 10, security hired by the Jacksons allegedly assaulted photographers from WBIR-TV and the Knoxville Journal. Both had attempted to Into Knoxville photograph Jackson family members as they arrived at McGhee Tyson Airport for the concerts. Finally, the shows went on as planned. No security problems were reported inside the stadium. Crowds of 48,783 for Fri- day, 50,239 for Saturday and 49,385 for Sunday saw the shows. Following the shows, tour promoter Chuck Sullivan said the FBI had been in- vestigating reports that a former security guard, fired during the Irving, Texas stop on the tour, had sent the death threat letters. In addition, McCroskey filed suit in September in Federal Court for back pay- ment of wages from the Jacksons for his security crew. planned. Security was tightened by Stan Mc- ' 3- r 'fee . 1 '1 i . 3 A l l- ---tl-- .-4--as '. Q - 9' .h- Q .I fn' Q ,, c 1 . , . . -. 1 7' 011' , 'Q' - 27 l I8 - Student Life in . ' Q, . Ins Alan R. English 'I 4. Tom McNutt lt

Page 21 text:

Tom NlcNutt 5 Tom McNutt 1. Ted Ray Miller, Bo Roberts and a Jackson representative announce the concert date. 2. Robert Hutchinson, vice president of public service, signs the contract with UT General Counsel Beauchamp Brogan. 3. Songs of Victory till the stadium. -1. The Jacksons beat it to the beat. 5. Cameras were not allowed at the concert.

Page 23 text:

1. :tm . i l. The after-effects of the Victory tour. 2. Michael noves to the beat. 3. Jermaine blasts the crowd with :is performance. -I-if A 4 Tom Mc!Nutt Student Life