A British-based travel company has configured an international tour for travelers who want to visit Michael Jackson’s favorite worldwide destinations.
The tour, the New York Times reports, will cover all of the earth’s continents with the exception of Antarctica.
Sophie Nicholson, a spokeswoman for STA, told the Times that “we thought in time for the one-year anniversary of his death it would be a fun way to celebrate his life and to incorporate pop culture with a love of travel.”
Now, the cost. The minimum duration for the tour would be 35 days – or about three days per location – at the cost of about $4,200 or 2,800 British pounds. The full tour of 126 days would be significantly more expensive: 12,000 British pounds.
If someone were to put together a cost-conscious tour for African Americans of Michael Jackson’s fave domestic haunts, or the ones most important to his career, which locales should be included? Here’s our take:
Gary, Ind.: For obvious reasons. This is the place where it all began and also the place that has been turned into a historical shrine in Jackson’s memory.
Harlem, N.Y.: This village in Upper Manhattan is the site of the world-famous Apollo Theater and where the Jackson Five were discovered by Motown legend Gladys Knight.
Detroit: Again, self-explanatory. Travelers who’ve never been to Detroit would be able to glance firsthand at Motown Records’ predecessor, Hitsville USA, where Berry Gordy and crew churned out No. 1 Billboard hits with almost supernatural speed and consistency.
Pasadena, Calif: It was inside the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on March 25, 1983, that Motown executive Suzanne DePasse produced “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today and Forever.” After performing a medley with his brothers, the original Jackson Five, MJ performed “Billie Jean” to critical and commercial acclaim. Jackson’s career and life would never be the same after this night.
East Los Angeles: Jackson filmed the greatest video ever made, the title track to the album Thriller.
Encino, Calif: Following the monstrous success of “Off the Wall,” which sold 10 million copies and made Jackson a solo superstar, he was able to purchase this mansion that pretty much housed his entire family and wild animal exhibit.
Queens, N.Y.: Michael Jackson’s debut acting role came in The Wiz, which was filmed in Astoria Studios in 1977. It was here that Jackson eventually struck up a friendship with the film’s musical supervisor, Quincy Jones. Enough said.
–terry shropshire
