Triumph Tour

By 1981, the Jacksons had regained success as a platinum-selling recording group with two albums, Destiny (1978) and Triumph (1980). Additionally, lead singer Michael Jackson was in the final stages of promoting his 1979 multi-platinum album, Off the Wall. This tour allowed Michael to bring in new show production ideas more to his liking. Inspired by Earth, Wind & Fire's live shows, Michael created the costumes and designed the stage. It was on this tour that he first wore his sequined glove, which later became world-famous after his Motown 25 performance. He and his brothers also collaborated on an intro that signaled similarities to their "Can You Feel It" music video. As it had been for many years, the choreography was done by Michael, Jackie and Marlon Jackson. The shows included magical elements designed by Doug Henning—for example, Michael disappearing in smoke during "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough".[https://books.google.com/books?id=yb_ghov9uEMC&dq=Doug+Henning+Michael+Jackson+-wind+Triumph&pg=PA32 Doug Henning Michael Jackson -wind Triumph]{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071012203824/http://allmichaeljackson.com/era/off-the-wall/index.html Michael Jackson - Off the Wall]}}www.AllMichaelJackson.com [http://www.michael-jackson-trader.com/biography/thejacksons-years.html Michael Jackson biography: The Jacksons years]www.Michael-Jackson-trader.com {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714083015/http://www.michael-jackson-trader.com/biography/thejacksons-years.html |date=2011-07-14 }}

The Triumph Tour began in Memphis, Tennessee, and ended with a sold-out week of shows in Inglewood. Each show earned highly positive reviews, in part due to Michael's leadership and showmanship. His brothers also earned praise, particularly for Randy's and Tito's musicality, and Marlon's dance ability. The tour marked the last truly integrated group effort, as Michael's solo career would soon eclipse his success with his brothers. The tour was so well-received and popular that Epic had the brothers record a variety of shows, and compile them for an upcoming live release. It is rumored{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} that the tracks were recorded during stops in Memphis, New York City, Buffalo and Providence. The live album, The Jacksons Live!, came out in the winter of 1981, and went gold in its initial run. Current sales are two million.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

After the tour ended, Michael went back to record Thriller, his follow-up to Off the Wall (1979). It would be three years before the Jacksons would go back on the road again. Rolling Stone later named the Triumph Tour one of the best 25 tours between 1967 and 1987. To showcase the success of the Triumph Tour, Michael Jackson commented that it was their first show without any marginal material. Michael patterned the Victory Tour (1984) and his Bad World Tour (1987–1989) after the Triumph tour.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

The stage was dark and had three groups of strobe lights, all of them containing different colors of lights, facing the stage diagonally. The stage also had a spotlight that followed the main performers. In addition to the lighting, the musicians played their instruments on fixtures (the horn section to the left of the stage, the drums to the center, and keyboards to the right; with the exception of the guitarists and Randy Jackson who played the piano, keyboards, and different percussions).

• Stacy Lattisaw

The tour dates are adapted from both The Jacksons: Legacy{{sfn|Jacksons|Bronson|2017|p=315}} and Michael Jackson FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the King of Pop,{{sfn|O'Toole|2015|pp=156–159}} although there are sources that state that some shows took place on different days.{{efn|Conflicting newspaper sources:

• Atlanta{{cite web |title=The Atlanta Journal from Atlanta, Georgia |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/973495192/?match=1&terms=%22The%20Jacksons%20are%20back%20for%20more%22 |website=Newspapers.com |access-date=21 February 2025 |date=9 August 1981}}
• Providence{{cite web |title=The Boston Globe from Boston, Massachusetts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/436895121/?match=1&terms=Providence%20Civic%20Center%20One%20LaSalle%20Square |website=Newspapers.com |access-date=21 February 2025 |date=20 August 1981}}
• Kansas City{{cite web |title=The Kansas City Star from Kansas City, Missouri |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/678379544/?match=1&terms=%22jacksons%20cancel%20concert%22 |website=Newspapers.com |access-date=21 February 2025 |date=8 September 1981}}

}}

;The Jacksons

• Michael Jackson – vocals
• Jackie Jackson – vocals, percussion
• Tito Jackson – guitar, vocals
• Marlon Jackson – vocals, percussion
• Randy Jackson – vocals, congas, piano, keyboards

;Band

• David Williams – guitar
• Bill Wolfer{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bill-wolfer-mn0000080681/credits|title = Bill Wolfer | Credits|website = AllMusic}} – synthesizer
• Mike McKinney – bass
• Jonathan Moffett – drums
• Wesley Phillips, Cloris Grimes, Alan (Funt) Prater, Roderick (Mac) McMorris – horns {{small|(East Coast Horns)}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |last1=O'Toole |first1=Kit |title=Michael Jackson FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the King of Pop |date=2015 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-4950-4599-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UNCGDwAAQBAJ |language=en}}
• {{cite book |last1=Jacksons |first1=The |last2=Bronson |first2=Fred |title=The Jacksons: Legacy |date=2017 |publisher=Workman Publishing Company |isbn=978-0-316-47374-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_F8RDgAAQBAJ |language=en}}

{{The Jackson 5}}

Category:The Jacksons concert tours

Category:1981 concert tours

Category:Concert tours of North America

Category:Concert tours of the United States

Category:Concert tours of Canada