In the beginning of the 80s I again thought to send my boys on tour. I dreamed once again to fly with them to Africa. So I started to ask, who could organize such a tour. After a while I was told, that I necessarily have to get acquainted with the famous boxing promoter Don King. Soon I have received an invitation to a party for press which Don has arranged in honor of some fight.

   I will never forget the meetings with Don this evening. He has been dressed in a black tuxedo and a white shirt with ruches. While I approached to the hall, I have heard his voice already from afar . He sat at the table, between his fingers on which sparkled diamonds, he held a thick cigar. He has made strong impression on me.

   After that I considered a tour across Africa even more intensively but to embody something like that, it was necessary to have an opportunity to finance it. Therefore during several sessions I have developed an idea - to bring the whole Jackson family on TV to perform, to advance not only Michael, whose career then roughly developed, but also all my children, which do not concede to him in talent. Also first of all the projects of my other sons had to develop, in which Michael's assistance was not necessary.

   I continued to collect ideas, how we could make this tour come true besides I have understood, that some of my boys urgently need money which they could earn on it. And I always wanted to help my sons.

   One more idea that occupied me at this time, was my desire to help Latoya to write the second album, and I searched for the suitable producer. At the same time I continued to be manager of The Jacksons, and we constantly were on the road. "Thriller" was just released, and there still was a heap of things of which I had to take care. Anyway, I spent essentially more time on work, than at home.

   I then owned 2 companies: Joseph Jackson Productions and Joseph Jackson Management. Boys and Latoya had a contract with Joseph Jackson Management, and Janet with Joseph Jackson Productions.

   When ?&M Records has given out an advance payment to Janet for the second album, my company could pay fee for Janet and also some accounts that were left. I had only very small break because I once again have concentrated on the planned tour. However for this purpose I first had to discuss it with Don King.

   I and my people have started to develop various concepts. Soon they were ready, and I could appoint session with lawyers and financial advisers of my sons. Together we have developed a plan, but unfortunately have found out, that we had a serious reason to worry. The last tour of the Jackson brothers has brought not as much as it has been planned. Though it also was successful, in the end each of my sons has received rather a small sum. However in the new tour my boys had to receive as much money, as they deserved. And the new plan definitely did not suit for this purpose.

   Don and I agreed on 100 million dollars for Victory Tour. It included 40 concerts. My sons nevertheless did not manage to persuade all their lawyers and consequently business has not burnt out. (Later we have gone to tour for smaller money).

   At the same time, when we broke our heads on developing of the tour plan, Michael started to promote the single "Billie Jean", released from his new album "Thriller". On unclear to me reasons his record company, did not believe that the success of "Off The Wall" could be repeated, and forget to top it. But I knew, that "Thriller" is a magnificent record, and unexpectedly for the record company, the public too went crazy about it.

   Now I really had to find someone who'd promote this tour. Among all our plans for that tour, was made one by the famous concert promoter Bill Graham and his partner Frank Russo. I and Russo liked each other, and first of all he liked my sons. But Chuck Sullivan which worked together with Don, did not stand him, and it was difficult - to organize the tour if such 2 strong persons face each other. That's why nothing came out of it.

   I have made a choice for the benefit of Don of King. Many people criticized my decision, they considered, that Don is good as creator of boxing duels, but he does not have any experience in show business. The same concerned also Chuck Sullivan. Someone from lawyers of my sons expressed opinion, that he knows how to organize football matches, but never before had no affair with concerts.

   But to me it was all the same. A seller is a seller, he can sell anything you like. And the task of the promoter, doesn't matter about what action we talk - to fill in the halls. So we became partners and have together put the Victory Tour on legs . And you know that? I turned out to be right. Don hung on the phone and worked day and night, 7 days a week, to fill in the concert halls in each city.

   In a result we have earned on that tour a lot of money, but we also had a lot of problems. To organize this tour was a hard task. I wanted to take all of my sons on stage and some of them demanded for it too much money. Besides Michael has been exhausted.

   He then worked awfully much, but Michael in fact a workaholic. He constantly works on the music and dances. Though he one of the best artists in the world - and as his father I even will dare to assume, he is the best - he still is engaged in dances every Sunday for 3 hours. Of course we very much wanted, him to accompany with brothers on this tour.

   During preparation for this tour, there was a rumor that The Jacksons will make a fortune on this tour. That's why different kinds of dudes hanged behind our doors and tried to snatch something for themselves. We with Don did not have enough time to be protecting ourselves from them.

   Don has quickly noticed, that this tour will demand all his attention, and he cannot be engaged in fights in parallel. Despite of his hot participation and the help, the press furiously attacked him.

   They did not hesitate in means to destroy him, and for the beginning they wanted to destroy the good reputation of the businessman. Reporters informed, that he has been condemned for murder in fight, and have made a sensation from this. I knew about it long before the press found out about it. And I expected, that he will be attacked that way so he could lose his job - we're talking about millions here.

   According to these messages, Don has very long time ago lent money to one dude, but never received it back. When he started talking with him about it, began a quarrel which has developed in to a fight . Don has killed that person, but he never intended to do it. Obviously, the court thought so too, in fact they would arrest him simply for the murder, instead of for a deliberate murder without heavy circumstances. Besides not Don has struck the first, and in my opinion, it was a classic case of self-defence.

   Don has been very much afflicted with that this story has ended so badly, and he has told to me, that he then has sworn, in the future to solve similar disputes only with the help of words and never fists. And he has constrained the oath.

   But those people, who envy, that he works as our concert promoter, had in fact, to invent something to supersede him in this position, and thus they have designed to Don the criminal past and have persuaded Michael not to go on tour with us as long as Don also participates in it. They have presented the entire story in the deformed way, and I for the first time have understood, what force the press has.

   I have lead a long conversation with my son and have explained to him, from what promptings these people have destroyed Don's reputation, and that he has to think, how important it is for The Jacksons that he participate in this tour. Michael is the same, as I. He does not accept rash decisions, he thought a lot about my words and eventually has decided to join us. I have sighed with simplification. As I never told Michael how much it meant for me, I hope, he reads these lines.

   Certainly, I understood, that this tour was heavy for Michael , both physically, and mentally. He strongly got overtired, simply emaciated, because his extremely successful career took away all his time. Sales of his albums have broken all records, and he attended uncountable number of various business meetings.

   But Michael is strong, he could carry out all obligations and not grow weak. The huge stress affected also his private life (I am confident, that he with pleasure would have more free time to date women), but nevertheless he appeared in time on all meetings that were scheduled by the record company, and then he also has taken part in one of the most intense tours in the American musical history.

   It is impossible to describe, how I was pleased that I have collected all the sons for the Victory Tour. For me it was something like my personal victory because I worked on it so much, and now Michael too has agreed to go with us. What else I could demand!

   I also am very grateful to my son Jermaine for the help. He approved that Don would be our promoter and closely cooperated with him. Michael has been too occupied to support us, but Jermaine which too worked on solo career, has found time to create something unusual for himself and the brothers. I hope, they are grateful to him for it, in fact he essentially promoted the success of this tour.

   Originally I wanted to see the whole family in this tour, and the daughters too, but it has unfortunately failed. Then both Janet and Latoya worked on the records, and I thought, they with pleasure would go together with us. But then someone has hammered into to his head, that instead of Janet, Stacey Lattisaw has to perform. I could not understand it. Some brothers, whose names I do not want to name here, did not want to see their own sisters near them. Though Don, as well as we with Katherine, were on Janet's side, we could not convince the boys.

   Stacey may be a good singer, but she is not from our family, and despite of the promising start, in a result she has not justified the hopes that were assigned to her. In contrast to Janet! Look, what she has achieved today! But then Janet was still unknown, and I could persuade them as much as I wanted -her brothers did not want to support her.

   I believe, Janet have been deeply offended, Latoya did not show it, but she too has for certain taken offence. But nevertheless both girls are very professional. They have overcome the disappointment and continued to work on the albums.

   After we have settled this quarrel, one more problem has appeared. Some advisers of my sons have demanded, that Don if he further wants to be engaged in our tour, has brought them for storage 3 million dollars, or else he cannot continue. They have thought up this plan because they did not believe, that Don can get such money.

   Probably, someone has been very much surprised, when Don next day has presented the necessary sum! He believed so much in the success of our tour that has taken the credit in Chase Manhattan Bank. My assistant has called me to inform, that Don has money and wants to sign the contract in Beverly Wilshire hotel. That was a day!

   But it was only the beginning. We with Don have already planned our following steps. We have decided, that Pepsi Cola has to become the sponsor of the tour. Now it sounds normally, but before us still nobody managed to get support of such a company. At least not in the same size as we planned. Pepsi, probably, have thought that we were psychos when we have come and have asked 5 million dollars. Besides Don which likes to impress, has dropped in on a white limousine and there was a white mink fur coat on him down to toes - to be stunned!

   Considering these events from our time, all seems very simple and logical but then sponsorship of such scale at musical actions was something absolutely unusual, and nobody trusted, that Don and I can realize our plans. We were considered simply as loonies. But I always had head on shoulders, already back when I in Gary dreamed to make my children famous, and I have got used, that they consider me crazy. I did not lose courage - if I have conceived something, I will not calm down, until I achieve it. Fortunately, Don King is similar to me, we were a good team.

   Anyway we have concluded this transaction, and it was probably the largest transaction with the sponsor in the American musical history. I am confident, that I do not need to add, that during the tour The Jacksons have brought to the company a solid increase in the profit.

   Many tried to bring us down because they themselves wanted to make money on Victory Tour. What they tried to do, but eventually all their features have become outdated as bad jokes.

   For example, lawyers have sent Don a letter in which he was forbidden to speak with my sons. At the same time me and Katherine have received an official paper in which we were authorized to talk to our boys (because children in fact wanted that we and further were engaged in these tour). Can you imagine that?

   One more obstacle has then appeared. The person supervising many big stadiums in the United States, has suddenly demanded half-million dollars of an advance payment, for that that The Jacksons could perform on these stadiums. Since we certainly, wanted, them to perform in the big cities where everyone can see them, unwillingly it was necessary to pay - this time it was undertaken by my sons.

   On July, 6, 1984 Victory Tour has finally began. The first concert has taken place in Kansas-city on Arrowhead Stadium, in front of 43 thousand shouting and whistling fans.

   In the beginning of show on a stage have entered huge creations directing horror -Cretans, they looked as aliens from the film "The Others". Their appearance was accompanied with ominous music. They were so ugly and inspired such fear, that small children started to shout - even my grandsons were frightened.

   In a stone laying on a stage they have thrust a sword which then has been covered by all colors of a rainbow. The deep voice has declared through loudspeakers, that "the one who will pull out this sword, will reign long years. But who will it be? ". One by one members of our crew came forward, dressed as knights, and tried to pull out the weapon, but it was not possible to anybody.

   At last, Randy has approached to the stone and when he without efforts has pulled out the sword, the sword has begun to sparkle. He has taken it and has killed Cretans which wanted to attack him. Then he has climbed up a stone and has exclaimed: " Let all world rise for protection of kingdom ".

   All stage has turned to a spacecraft. It became dark for a short while, after wards all was filled with bright light, and from depth, the deck on which it was possible to distinguish 5 figures schematically has slowly risen.

   One by one they went down on the stairs and when they have stood up on stage, their faces too were illuminated, so the viewers could find out, who were in front of them. My boys have taken off the sun glasses and stood there, dressed in motley futuristic uniforms. The crowd in the meantime has raged so, that I was afraid, they will crash the stage.

   While the crowd still whistled and shouted, music became absolutely silent. There has come silence and then each of brothers has lifted a hand. And suddenly - Baam! - music has again joined, and The Jacksons have started with "Wanna be startin' somethin' ". The viewers raged and shouted even more loudly, than before.

   The following song was "(The) things I do for you". During the song Randy danced and performed a solo number.

   After the fast version of "Off the wall" Michael sang his hit "Human nature", then The Jacksons hit " Heartbreak hotel " has followed. When Michael sang "She`s out of my live", it became a little bit quieter. On "Let`s get serious " all the Jacksons have performed again. Jermaine sang and played on the bass, Randy during this number played on keys, and Tito as always on a guitar. Then Jermaine sang the following song which he has devoted to Jackie; he unfortunately could not participate because of a trauma of a knee. Then went "Tell me I`m not dreaming' ", thus Michael has left on the second refrain and sang together with him. Their voices wonderfully harmonised with each other.

   Then all the brothers started singing the pot-pourri from the Jackson 5 songs. Probably, among public there were many people more senior, because their delight was huge, and many sang along. After several hits, "I want you back ", " (Stop!) The love you save (may be your own) ", and "I`ll be there" there was a short break, and they have run off stage to change their clothes. Soon they have appeared again, Michael in a brilliant space survival suit and Randy in a short shirt without sleeves, and they have sung encore after the audience has loudly demanded, "(You got me) Working day and night ".

   Following number an enormous spider on electronic management came out on stage which has tried to eat Michael. The spider has bent above him, Michael wanted to escape, but the spider has captured him with his paws. Then he again has returned on the place on a deck, and Michael has remained to lay on a stage as dead. They have lifted him on a table, covered with a bed sheet, and he has disappeared as if by magic. And in some seconds he again stood on stage, this time in a red - silver jacket, and sang with the brothers "Beat it ", thus them has joined Eddie Van Halen with the guitar.

   Then Michael put on his black jacket and the black hat to sing " Billie Jean ". He also executed the moonwalk that became so famous. Michael has finished a song with several fast turns and jumps - a sign for the group to begin to sing "Shake your body ". Marlon has approached to edge of the stage and shouted to crowd: " What's up?" Also induced them to clap hands beyond their head.

   On that the show has ended. My boys have bowed and have waved goodbye. Then they one by one have left the stage.

   To our pleasure, the reviews were excellent. We loved this kind of press. During the following 5 months The Jacksons have travelled all over United States. Jackie though rehearsed together with brothers, nevertheless could not participate in the concerts that were left because of the trauma. The last show was given in Los Angeles on Dodger Stadium. 6 concerts one by one have been sold out.

   On one of concerts in Los Angeles the rain poured as from a bucket, but neither for fans, nor for The Jacksons it meant nothing - the show proceeded no matter what, and all the viewers have remained to sit on the places. Every evening after the concert above stadium was arranged magnificent fireworks.

   Don, Katherine and I all this time were around and cared of that boys were paid for their work. During the Victory Tour they earned more, than ever in their life. For me this tour symbolized the association of all brothers Jackson. It always was my most treasured dream: to see my children together on stage.

   Certainly, it was difficult, to cope with such tour. Concert management - not for beginners in this business. But I in due time organized so much tours, that I knew, how to overcome this awful stress. Not everyone will cope with it at once.

   So it was very intense. But there were as well the culmination moments, as for example in Chicago when The Chi-Lites came to us behind the scenes. This visiting has revived many old memoirs on how Jackson 5 started. I was very glad to see them.

   By the end of the tour The Jacksons have addressed to more than 2 millions of fans, and we have established a new record because we have received more than 50 million dollars.

   I with pleasure at once would continue Victory Tour abroad, eventually for this purpose we rehearsed 3 months in the row.

   But later Michael has gone on world tour alone. Instead of the brothers he has employed other musicians who though danced as The Jacksons, but it was not the same. The whole difference was, that he stepped onstage not with the brothers. Therefore show was not even remotely as good, as in the USA because Jacksons only then are magnificent when they perform together. I so wanted to see Michael, Jermaine, Jackie, Tito, Randy and Marlon on world tour. But Michael anyway has made it alone, which I considered dishonest from his side because eventually he has subdued the United States together with the brothers. But Michael performed as well as he could.

   I still want, my children to perform together worldwide. They have to understand, that family is the most important in life. Your brothers and sisters always will stay your brothers and sisters, and parents for ever will stay your parents. Other people come and go, but the family remains.

   I would like to tell a little about that Pepsi Cola has made advertising rollers with Michael. Originally we with Don have managed to get this transaction for all boys, in addition to sponsorship of the tour. All my boys had to make commercials for this company. For some reason my sons could not come to an agreement among themselves, and eventually the commercials have been made only with Michael. And he has earned on it so much money, as no artist has ever earned. I cannot tell you here, how much he has received for it, but in those times it was a fortune. Since then other artists too earned big money on advertising, but Michael was the first with whom at gained such sizes. Michael's and Pepsi transaction has entered the history.

   Do not forget about that I always was the manager of my boys, more than 20 years, at first with Jackson 5, then with The Jacksons. From the first rehearsals at our place in Gary, in 1962 when they have signed their first contract with Steeltown, the second contract with Motown, and the third with Epic, I was their manager.

   I rehearsed with Jermaine, Tito and Jackie since 1962, and in 1964 Michael and Marlon have joined the group. 3 years in the raw up to 1967, I and the boys have worked hard, until they finally signed the contract with Steeltown. And I was present at each recording of each song in Motown from 1969 to 1975. I accompanied and supervised hundreds sessions of recording.

   Since 1963 I went with my sons from city to city, from state to state, and later from country to country. As the manager, I cared of that they on a regular basis rehearsed, that their suits were ready and that they always were in time for everything.

   When they were still minor, I managed their proceeds and put for them money, or invested in the real estate. I have spent many hours in the street, accompanying with my sons on each performance, and cared of that they in time have returned to hotel. I did not allow my children to walk at night alone along the streets.

   Under my management they have written 6 songs for Steeltown, as Jackson 5, about 13 albums for Motown - generally it is more than 20 if you count all the collections and anthologies - and 6 albums for Epic as The Jacksons. I also worked for Michael as the manager, and later as a co-manager on his first 8 records, including "Off The Wall" and "Thriller". I was Jermaine's manager on his 2 first solo albums, Jackie and Janet's on their first records (Janet's first 4 albums were released under my management), and on Latoya's first 3 records. And I helped Rebbie with her production.

   I cannot count, how many joint shows and tours we had. As the manager of our children I have visited all over the world with them. More than 20 years of my life I conducted Jacksons' affairs. My contract of the manager has been officially finished by summer of 1983, but despite of it I in the summer of 1984 have put on legs also the Victory Tour. My family and I, we were writing the history of music.