It’s 1988. Tensions in Germany are at a high: a nation divided by foreign politics and the Berlin Wall. There is one saving grace for the torn families of Germany, however.
In America, Michael Jackson has recently released the mainstream hit Bad, one of the best selling albums of all-time, and has now embarked on the Bad World Tour.
At the height of his powers, and sponsored by Pepsi, Jackson takes a trip to West Germany, and plays a show near the Berlin Wall.
On the other side, in the Soviet-controlled East Germany, rumours have spread about this concert, and over 3 000 East Germans flock to their side of the Wall for a chance to hear the King of Pop. If they get lucky, they might even be able to see him moonwalk.
The concertgoers were being monitored at the time. The Stasi, East Germany’s secret police, had, according to an internal file, suspected that MJ fans were planning a riot. These riots may not have taken place on the day of the concert, but the Wall did not last much longer, falling the very next year in 1989.
So, did The Gloved One cause the fall of the Berlin Wall? And if so, could it really be called a “Bad” World Tour?
Industry Pulse:
Sir Paul McCartney’s Birthday: June 18th marks the 81st birthday of this legendary Beatle and British singer-songwriter, who in a recent interview with the Independent claimed that he never played on the Beatles’ Revolver track “She Said, She Said”.
Padam Padam Pride: Kylie Minogue’s newest hit single, her first in the top 10 in more than a decade, makes her only the fourth woman to reach the top 10 charts in the UK across five separate decades, and further solidifying her as an LGBTQ+ icon.
Quincy Jones’ Stomach Woes: The 90 year-old was rushed to hospital after having a severe reaction to some food he had eaten. He thankfully recovered, but this does call into question – what is so toxic in Quincy’s diet? Perhaps he had too much Padam Padam for dinner.
Song of the Day:
Today’s song is an old McCartney classic (in honour of his 81st birthday), from the time of the Beatles’ trip to India and their delve into transcendental music.
100 Albums to Listen to:
Lateralus – TOOL
(Alternative Metal)
Lateralus is TOOL’s most phenomenal, mind bending, transcendental record, providing hypnotic performances overlayed with hook after hook by Maynard James Keenan.
1/100
Music by Numbers:
33 ⅓
This simple number may seem insignificant, but actually paved the way for generations of music. It was integral to the vinyl record, and its eventual mainstream dominance. 33 ⅓ is the amount of Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) a typical LP record makes.
Lyrical Lament:
I’m luck’s last match struck/In the pouring down wind
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From @ringostarrmusic on Instagram
