The Jacksons 2004

[updated in 2009 with added chapters]
 
 
19. Adventures in Brazil


  After Panama we have received many invitations from South America, first of all from Venezuela and Brazil. I always dreamed to visit Brazil, and we have gone to Rio!

   The promoter has arrived from Rio to America to accompany with us to Brazil. Rio de Janeiro! I already like the name of this many-sided megacity. When we came on landing, I have seen one of the most beautiful cities of the world from the window of the plane. On the road to hotel another shock waited for me: I have found out, that everybody around walk in bathing suits. It seemed that, these people really enjoyed their life.

   We had to perform in Rio, San-Paulo and Brazil. My boys were everywhere accepted with opened arms. After a concert in Rio which as it is usual, has passed perfectly, we have gone to the San-Paulo. It is a really huge city, with skyscrapers as in New York.

   Public in the San-Paulo was wonderful. People look great and because of their golden ten they seem very healthy especially young girls all of them are real beauties. I just in case did not take my eyes off of my sons so that they have not done anything stupid.

   In Brazil, it was possible to get on our following concert, only by the plane. We have already taken the places when I have looked out in a window and have noticed, that our equipment still stands on plane field. I have begun to worry, have called up the stewardess, have explained to her that we have a concert right after the arrival in Brazil, and have asked, why our things are not yet on the plane. She has answered, that they cannot take everything at once that the things that remained outside, will be taken by another plane that will land an hour later than us. It has a little calmed me, though I not so would like to depart without our equipment. But the plane has already started, and nothing could be changed.

   When we have come to the concert hall in Brazil, our equipment has not arrived yet. I have asked one of the armed security guards to find out when our cargo at last will arrive. He has executed this order and informed me, that a cargo still in the San-Paulo and it doesn't seem that it will arrive.

   Since the hall in the meantime was filled with people, he has suggested removing us through a back door, in fact if people will notice, that we cannot perform, a chaos will begin. But during this moment someone has declared through loudspeakers that show will not take place. He better not speak.

   In some seconds a chaos began . The audience raged. We have jumped out outside and when we were seen by the driver of the trip bus, he at once has started the motor. We have hardly had enough time to jump in the bus as from a hall the raging crowd has tumbled down. People crowded around of the bus, pushed it and threw everything that came to hand.

   " Fast, lie down and cover your head with hands!" I shouted to the boys. Splinters of the broken glass have flown, and in some minutes all windows have been beaten out. The driver by a miracle managed to pass through the furious crowd and not to crush anybody, and eventually we have got out on the free road. But the angry viewers still pursued us for some time. Thank God, we have got out alive.

   Next day in all newspapers it has been written, that Jacksons hardly have not caused a revolt in Brazil.

   At last our equipment has arrived from the San-Paulo, but that the concert actually will take place, they believed only when we got out on stage. No matter what, there was a fantastic audience. They shouted loudly and clapped, and to security service had to watch all the time that no one would climb on stage. And certainly, girls fainted in packs.

   The fact that they threw stones at our bus, has been completely forgotten. I was very much proud of boys, they have shown an excellent show, despite what they had to go through. After the concert Brazilians treated us extremely politely and attentively. It once again shows, how great the force of music is. If our music has reached their hearts, they become our friends forever.

   We have spent lead here 2 days, then we again had to say goodbye. The huge crowd accompanied with us on road from hotel to the airport. Despite of some unpleasant circumstances, we had more of the good impressions of Brazil, and in the end everything was exact the same as in other countries where Jacksons came with performances: with each concert the number of our fans increased.

   People all over the world are similar, it seems we just have to manage to make them like us. And we have made it. Sometimes we came as envoys of the United States, and it was a good feeling - to have friends worldwide.