- Title: VARIOUS: MICHAEL JACKSON LAUNCHES CONCERT TOUR
- Date: 6th September 1996
- Summary: PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC/BUDAPEST, HUNGARY/SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (SEPTEMBER 6-10, 1996) (RTV/VNR - VNR MATERIAL FOR SCHEDULED NEWS BROADCASTS ONLY/ NOT FOR LIBRARY USE) (PRAGUE, SEPTEMBER 7)(RTV) FIREWORKS BEFORE CONCERT (PRAGUE, SEPTEMBER 7)
- Embargoed: 21st September 1996 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC/BUDAPEST, HUNGARY/SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
- City:
- Country: Czech Republic Hungary Korea, Republic of
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVAA4EN4JC6SAMM7GSY7BDGTSCXT
- Story Text: Michael Jackson launched his first concert tour in three years Saturday night (September 7) with a high-tech spectacle in Prague aimed at restoring a career tarnished by allegations of child molestation.
Jackson exploded through the floor of his futuristic stage and emerged in gold-plated astronaut's armour to open the concert with one of his latest hits, "Scream." On a stage blending a classical Greek temple with a space station, Jackson matched the high tech wizardry with his formidable dancing skills, singing many of the hits of his 20-year career.
On Friday (September 6), Jackson was given a guided tour of Prague Castle by Czech president Vaclav Havel.
Jackson invited Havel his open-air concert, which was held on a field where the Communists once staged their regimented Mayday march-pasts.
Havel, 59, is better known for his love of the British rock band the Rolling Stones, and rarely misses a chance to meet lead singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards.
But Havel did not miss the Jackson phenomenon despite spending much of the 1980s in communist jails as a dissident playwright. One of Havel's essays written in prison is named after Jackson's album "Thriller".
After his meeting with Havel, Jackson then went to a children's home, laden with presents, which his bodyguards opened for them.
He went for a stroll with the children in the home's garden.
Following the Prague concert, Jackson then travelled to the Hungarian capital Budapest, the next stop in his three-month world tour, which will take him around Europe before moving to Africa and Asia. No dates have been scheduled in the Americas at this stage.
Jackson, was mobbed by adoring fans as he went shopping in Budapest on Monday (September 9).
A throng of hysterical admirers scuffled with security men in a store, breaking windows in a desperate attempt to get near to their hero.
No one was hurt, but for the rest of the afternoon Jackson's security guards and Hungarian police divided their attention between protecting the superstar and the windows of a bookstore and an antique store he visited later.
On Tuesday, (September 10) he performed for more than two hours to a less-than-full house but fans said the singer had put on a good show.
Police estimated the crowd at 45,000 to 50,000 in the Nepstadion, which has seats for 60,000 and standing room for 10,000. Concert organisers could not be reached for comment.
The cheapest tickets for standing room or seats high in the stadium cost 4,900 forints (almost $33), while the top price was 15,000 forints ($100). In Hungary, the average wage is under $400 a month.
An uncertain welcome awaits Jackson next month when he is due to perform in Seoul, South Korea.
The South Korean government's decision to allow him to stage concerts there has sparked outrage among civic and religious groups in the country.
Major banks and bookstores, popular ticketing outlets, are refusing to sell tickets for Jackson's concert.
The boycott follows pressure from civic and religious groups disapproving of Jackson whom they claim to be a bad influence on the nation's youth.
Jackson was cleared of all charges related to a 1993 child molestation allegation.
Concert organiser, Taewon Entertainment, has run into trouble finding a security company willing to oversee security during the concert.
The only local company considered capable of providing security has refused the job.
"He was involved in a sexual harrassment scandal," said Kim Seong-wong, a member of the Christian Ethics Movement, a group staunchly opposed to Jackson being allowed to perform in the country.
"We know that the court did not find him guilty, but it can't be denied he was part of a naughty scandal," he said.
Organisers say much of the fuss is now dying down. After South Korea's largest ticket outlets refused to sell the tickets, organisers worked through phone reservation lines.
"We know that there must be some people who have different ideas to us," said Choi Sook-jung, a promoter for Taewon Entertainment.
"I can understand them. But these days their way of objecting is a little bit unexpected." In 1994, the Cultural Ministry rejected a proposal to bring Jackson to South Korea on grounds that the performance would have a negative influence on youth morals. But the ministry approved the application this year on the condition that the performer refrain from making any obscene or vulgar gestures or remarks.
Trying to strike a conciliatory cord with South Koreans, Jackson sent promoters a video-taped message for promotional use.
"Hello Korea, I'm finally coming to visit you to perform," Jackson said the tape. "Look forward to seeing you all and I want to thank all the fans for your loyalty and support. I look forward to seeing you soon." - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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