Bill Bray hires a new bodyguard names Wayne Nagin who will go on working for Michael until 2000!
John Branca becomes Michael’s attorney.
Michael performs Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough at a UNICEF benefit concert.
Randy leaves Hayvenhurst and moves in with his girlfriend Julie Mijares. He has a serious car accident and almost looses a leg but after 6 months and 7 operations, he finally manages to stand up.
- January:
Michael does an interview with Sylvia Chase for ABC’s 20/20 programme.
Michael performs When You Wish Upon A Star and Ease On Down The Road in Disneyland for a Disney Channel Special celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Magic Kingdom
- January 18:
Michael attends The American Music Awards where he receives three awards for Off The Wall and he presents one to the Bee Gees.
- January 27:
Michael attends the NAACP Awards where The Jacksons receive the Image Award for best singing group of the year.
- February:
Epic releases the single Off The Wall (n°10)
- February 27:
Michael boycotts the Grammy Awards because Off The Wall was not nominated for best album of the year. He watches the ceremony at home with Katherine, Janet & LaToya. He wins his first Grammy but vows that his next album won’t be ignored…
- March:
Michael is on the cover of Melody Maker with an exclusive interview.
- April:
Epic releases the 4th single from Off The Wall titled She’s Out Of My Life (n°10). Michael shoots a video for the song directed by Bruce Gowers.
Michael becomes the first solo artist in to chart four top 10 singles from the same album!
- May:
Dave Mason’s album including the song Save Me featuring Michael on backing vocals is released.
- July:
Epic releases the single Girlfriend (written by Paul Mac Cartney) only in .
- July 31:
Michael is on the cover of Jet magazine with sister LaToya.
- August:
Love Lives Forever by Minnie Riperton featuring I’m In Love Again in duet with Michael is released.
- September:
Night Time Lover by LaToya Jackson is released on Polydor. The song was written, composed and produced by Michael who also sings the background vocals.
Epic releases Triumph, the new album of The Jacksons and Lovely One, their new single.
- September 3:
In recognition of their contribution to music , The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honour The Jacksons with a Star on Hollywood Boulevard’s “Walk Of Fame”
- September 18/19/25/26:
The Jacksons perform at The Forum of Los Angeles.
- October:
Michael appears in Gentleman’s Quaterly with a minor interview.
Hotter Than July by Stevie Wonder featuring the song All I Do with backing vocals by Michael is released on Motown.
- October 16 :
Katherine, Randy & Janet attack Gina Sprague, Joe's personal assistant at Joe Jackson Productions.
- December:
Epic releases the single Heartbreak Hotel from the Triumph Album.
