INDIA/ THAILAND: Pop superstar Michael Jackson continued his world-wide 'History' tour this week, with concerts in India and Thailand

Record ID: 379837

  • Title: INDIA/ THAILAND: Pop superstar Michael Jackson continued his world-wide 'History' tour this week, with concerts in India and Thailand
  • Date: 1st November 1996
  • Summary: PHADUNG, JACKSON IMPERSONATOR, PERFORMING
  • Embargoed: 16th November 1996 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BOMBAY, INDIA / BANGKOK, THAILAND
  • City:
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVAAGL9JU7PVO958QUC2YUPV4ZP1
  • Story Text: Pop superstar Michael Jackson continued his world-wide 'History' tour this week, with concerts in India and Thailand.
    Jackson arrived in Bombay last week for his one and only, first-ever, show in India on Friday (November 1). People travelled vast distances to see Jackson's concert and the south-western city's Andheri Sports Complex was swamped with queues of fans long before the start. Despite a heavy police presence, fans were in festive mood as they waited. Ignoring the hot and crowded conditions, they sang, danced and eulogised their hero as they waited. One couple in the queue said, "We need air, we need food, we need water, but more than anything else we need Michael Jackson." City authorities had deployed police and hired extra private security personnel around the stadium, fearing protests by nationalist groups who had threatened to disrupt the show. However, there was no sign of trouble and the concert went ahead as planned.
    Jackson played to a 60,000 crowd, performing songs from his old albums as well as the 'History' album which he is promoting on this tour. Hundreds of fans who couldn't get tickets - either because the show was sold out or because the 42 to 420 dollar price-tag was too expensive - perched on the roofs of high rise buildings around the complex to get a glimpse of Jackson in action.
    His next stop was Thailand. Jackson flew into Bankok on Saturday (November 2) planning a few days' rest before his concert on Tuesday night (November 5). Meanwhile his entourage set to work, putting the massive 120,000 watt sound and light system together.
    The usual mass of fans thronged the airport to greet their idol but across town the eccentric superstar has become a subject for gentle satire. In one of the city's play-house cafes, where local comedians entertain diners, 24-year-old Phadung Songsang, has a regular Jackson impersonation spot. A veteran Jackson look-a-like for the past six years, Songsung has studied the way the star dances, struts and girates in minute detail, then turned it into tongue-in-cheek comedy. He insists it is just "fun" though says outraged members of his audience have accused him of "destroying Michael Jackson's image".
    Jackson paid a visit to a school for local blind children on Monday (November 4), the eve of his concert.
    Wearing a black mask and hat, he watched an impromptu concert by the children on traditional instruments.
    But the superstar's Tuesday (November 5) concert failed to draw a capacity crowd with only about 70 percent of the tickets sold.
    This was a far cry from the sell-out in 1993 when thousands of disappointed fans tore down the iron gates of the National Stadium in Bangkok to catch a glimpse of the singer in concert.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Audio restrictions: This clip's Audio includes copyrighted material. User is responsible for obtaining additional clearances before publishing the audio contained in this clip.
Register