The "HIStory" tour spanned the globe with stops in 56 cities, 35 countries on 5 continents, and included 82 concerts to about 4.5 million loving fans.

 

Michael Jackson's "HIStory World Tour" is the biggest world tour any performer had ever done!!!

 

Michael's gold costume was designed by Gianni Versace who already designed some clothes for Michael for his "Dangerous" tour.

 

 

Two "HIStory" concerts in Munich, Germany on July 4 and 6, 1997 at Olympic Stadium were recorded. The concert [containing footage of both shows] was televised by German TV-channel SAT1 and later in many other countries.

 

Plus concerts in the following countries were recorded and later shown over network television: Bucharest [Romania] - Sept. 14, 1996, Kuala Lumpur [Malaysia] - Oct. 1996, Auckland [New Zealand] - Nov. 1996, Manila [Philippines] - Dec. 1996, Copenhagen [Denmark] - Aug. 1997, Gothenburg [Sweden] - Aug. 16, 1997 and Helsinki [Finland] - Aug. 1997.

One "HIStory" concert in Seoul, South Korea in 1996 at Chamsil Olympic Stadium was recorded and a VHS video cassette [NTSC] of this great concert was commercially released by Sony Music for the Asian market.

 

At every "HIStory" tour stop, during "You Are Not Alone", one lucky girl was allowed to dance with Michael on stage.

 

Only hours after kicking off the Australian leg of his "HIStory World Tour" on November 14, 1996 Michael married Debbie Rowe in a civil ceremony in his presidential suite at the Sheraton-on-the-Park Hotel in Sydney.

 

There were 160 people working on the Michael Jackson "HIStory" World Tour. In every city another 200 professional stage hands and 200 security officers were hired locally.

 

The logistics for such a huge show require an almost military-style organisation! In any given week, three different stages are either up, going up or coming down. Moving the custom designed steel and scaffolding requires 7 trucks per stage each weighing 200 tons which takes 3 days to build, 24 hour to set up the elements of the show [backline, lights, sound, band gear, pyro, video] and 24 hours to de-rig. Once built, the set weighs 550 tons. A further 22 trucks carry the backline, sound, lights, rigging, video, pyrotechnics and band gear. That's a total of 43 trucks carrying 1'200 tons of equipment!

There are 14 people working the lights who are controlling about 1'000 fixtures and assorted equipment under the direction of Michael Keller, the lighting director. The whole system uses about 35 kilometers of cable and weighs 3'200kg. It takes 5 trucks to transport all the equipment, and load in of the lighting system takes about 8 hours the day before the show, with all fixtures getting individually focused after dark.

 

The sound system, designed by Clair Bros Audio, consists of 150 S-4 cabinets totaling 400'000 watts of power and weighing 30 tons. There are also 50 sub low cabinets specially designed to create a sensoround effect. The sound engineer, Trip Khalaf has worked with Madonna, Steely Dan and Queen.

The stage was built by UK based Edwin Shirley Staging, who transmitted by computer graphics back to England any changes and modifications needed for construction of the stages during the rehearsals held in L.A.

Pyrotechnics are an important element of the show, 4 people handle over 500 shots a night, the noise effects are comparable to a TNT explosion bringing down a 3 storey building. For Pyritz, the company who have worked on every Michael Jackson tour, safety is of prime concern, and their safety record proves it. The stage may well look like it's totally destroyed, but no damage actually occurs.

Michael Jackson travels with his own television studio provided by Nocturne Productions. 4 broadcast cameras capture Michael's every move on stage transmitting them to 2 large Jumbotron screens flanking the stage on either side. Directed by Paul Becher, the screens enable the audience to see every detail of what's happening on the stage no matter where they are sitting. The video portion of the show includes a computer generated opening specially made for each city, while certain scenic elements are played back on a moving Jumbotron over the stage.

 

When asked what satisfies him most, Chris Lamb, the production manager, in charge of every aspect of putting on the biggest show on earth, says it very succinctly: "It's hearing the thunderous applause of the audience on the first night and then hearing it again and again at every show."

 

1,4 million people went to the Michael Jackson HIStory tour which started in Prague on September 7, 1996. A further 2 million people are expected to come during the second leg of the tour which started in Bremen on 31st May 1997, and sales of tickets in Germany alone have already reached 500,000.

Musicians                                                         Dancers First Leg

Dorian Holley [Vocalist]                                        LaVelle Smith

Fred White [Vocalist]                                             Shawnette Heard

Marva Hicks [Vocalist]                                             Courtney Miller

Jennifer Batten [Guitar]                                          Anthony Talauega

David Williams [Guitar]                                            Richmond Talauega

Brad Buxer [Keyboards]                                            Loru Werner

Isaiah Sanders [Keyboards]                                       Jason Yribar

Freddie Washingto [Bass Guitar]                                             

Jonathan Moffett [Drums]                                  

 

Dancers Second Leg

LaVelle Smith

Christian Judd

Stacy Walker

Anthony Talauega

Richmond Talauega

Faune Chambers

 

Setlist

 

Gates Of Kiev

Scream

They Don't Care About Us

She Drives Me Wild / In The Closet

Wanna Be Starting Somethin'

Stranger In Moscow

Smooth Criminal

Interlude: "The Wind"

You Are Not Alone

The Way You Make Me Feel [From September 07, 1996 to June 15, 1997]

Jackson 5 Medley [I Want You Back I The Love You Save I I'll Be There]

Off The Wall Medley [Rock With You I Off The Wall I Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough] [From September 07, 1996 to June 10, 1997]

Interlude: Remember The Time

Billie Jean

Thriller

Beat It

Come Together ** / D.S. [From September 07, 1996 to December 31, 1996]

Blood On The Dance Floor *** [From May 31, 1997 to August 19, 1997]

Interlude: Black Or White Video [2nd Part]

Dangerous ****

Interlude: Black Or White Video [1st Part]

Black Or White

Earth Song

Interlude: We Are The World

Heal The World

HIStory

* The Off The Wall Medley was withdrawn from the show in Tunis [Oct. 7th], Bombay [Nov. 1st], Sydney [Nov. 14th and 16th], Brisbane [Nov. 19th] and Tokyo [Dec. 20th]

* Come Together / D.S. was withdrawn from the show in Bombay [Nov. 1st], Sydney [Nov. 14th and 16th], Brisbane [Nov. 19th] and Tokyo [Dec. 20th]

* Blood On The Dance Floor was withdrawn from the show in Vienna [July 2nd]

**** Dangerous was withdrawn from the show in Tokyo [Dec. 20th]

 Show Conceived & Created by: Kenny Ortega and Michael Jackson

Artistic Director: Michael Jackson

HIStory Tour Choreographed by: Michael Jackson and LaVelle Smith

Choreography For "Dangerous" & "They Don't Care About Us": Travis Payne and Michael Jackson

Staged & Directed by: Kenny Ortega and Michael Jackson

Assistant Director: Peggy Holmes

Set Designed by: Michael Cotton and John McGraw

Lighting Designer: Peter Morse

Tour Produced by Quinta Communications S.A.

Quinta Business Affairs: Brigitte Segal

Tour Executive: Paul Gongaware

Tour Finance: Norman Dugdale

Production Manager: Chris Lamb

Tour Manager: Bernie Boyle

Tour Publicist: Mitch Vannoni

Lighting: Light and Sound Design

Computer Lights: The OBIE Company

Moving Lights: Vari*lite

Sound: Clair Bros. and Audio Rent

Video: Nocturne

Generators: Showpower

Stage & Trucking: Edwin Shirley

Cam-Track: Ocean State Rigging

Freighting: Rock-It Cargo

Catering: Eat Your Hearts Out

Travel: Mike Hawksworth

History Tour Dates and Locations                                             

 

Sept. 07, 1996    Prague [Czech Republic]           Letna Parc

Sept. 10, 1996    Budapest [Hungary]                  Nepstadion Intezmenyei

Sept. 14, 1996    Bucharest [Rumania]                National Stadium

Sept. 17, 1996    Moscow [Russia]                        Dynamo Stadium

Sept. 20, 1996    Warsaw [Poland]                       Bemowo Airport

Sept. 24, 1996    Zaragoza [Spain]                       La Romareda

Sept. 28, 1996    Amsterdam [The Netherlands]   Amsterdam Arena

Sept. 30, 1996    Amsterdam [The Netherlands]    Amsterdam Arena

Oct. 02, 1996     Amsterdam [The Netherlands]      Amsterdam Arena

 

Oct. 07, 1996      Tunis [Tunisia]                 El Menzah

Oct. 11, 1996      Seoul [South Korea]       Chamsil Olympic Stadium

Oct. 13, 1996      Seoul [South Korea]        Chamsil Olympic Stadium

Oct. 18, 1996      Taipei [Taiwan]               Chungshan Soccer Stadium

Oct. 20, 1996      Kaoshung [Taiwan]         Open Air Field

Oct. 22, 1996      Taipei [Taiwan]               Chungshan Soccer Stadium

Oct. 25, 1996      Singapore [Singapore]     National Stadium

Oct. 27, 1996      Kuala Lumpur [Malaysia]    Merdeka Stadium

Oct. 29, 1996      Kuala Lumpur [Malaysia]     Merdeka Stadium

Nov. 01, 1996     Bombay [India]                Andheri Sports Complex

Nov. 05, 1996     Bangkok [Thailand]         Muang Thong Thani City Center

Nov. 09, 1996     Auckland [New Zealand]               Ericson Stadium

Nov. 11, 1996     Auckland [New Zealand]               Ericson Stadium

Nov. 14, 1996     Sydney [Australia]                         SCG

Nov. 16, 1996     Sydney [Australia]                         SCG

Nov. 19, 1996     Brisbane [Australia]                      ANZ Stadium

Nov. 22, 1996     Melbourne [Australia]                   MCG

Nov. 24, 1996     Melbourne [Australia]                   MCG

Nov. 26, 1996     Adelaide [Australia]                     Adelaide Oval

Nov. 30, 1996     Perth [Australia]                          Burswood Dome

Dec. 02, 1996      Perth [Australia]                          Burswood Dome

Dec. 04, 1996      Perth [Australia]                           Burswood Dome

Dec. 08, 1996      Manila [Philippines]         Paranaque City/Asia World

Dec. 10, 1996      Manila [Philippines]          Paranaque City/Asia World

Dec. 12, 1996      Tokyo [Japan]                              Tokyo Dome

Dec. 15, 1996      Tokyo [Japan]                              Tokyo Dome

Dec. 17, 1996      Tokyo [Japan]                              Tokyo Dome

Dec. 20, 1996      Tokyo [Japan]                              Tokyo Dome

Dec. 26, 1996      Fukuoka [Japan]                          Fukuoka Dome

Dec. 28, 1996      Fukuoka [Japan]                          Fukuoka Dome

Dec. 31, 1996      Bandar Seri Begawan [Brunei]    Jerudong Park

Jan. 03, 1997       Honolulu [Hawaii/USA]                 Aloha Bowl

Jan. 04, 1997       Honolulu [Hawaii/USA]                 Aloha Bowl

 May 31, 1997     Bremen [Germany]                        Weserstadion

 June 03, 1997     Cologne [Germany]                        Mungersdorfer Stadium

June 06, 1997     Bremen [Germany]                         Weserstadion

June 08, 1997     Amsterdam [The Netherlands]        Amsterdam Arena

June 10, 1997     Amsterdam [The Netherlands]        Amsterdam Arena

June 13, 1997     Kiel [Germany]                                Nordmarksportfield

June 15, 1997     Gelsenkirchen [Germany]               Parkstadion

June 18, 1997     Milan [Italy]                                    San Siro Stadium

June 20, 1997     Lausanne [Switzerland]                 La Pontaise Stadium

June 22, 1997     Bettembourg [Luxembourg]           Krakelschaff

June 25, 1997     Lyon [France]                                 Gerland Stadium

June 27, 1997     Paris [France]                                 Parc des Princes

June 29, 1997     Paris [France]                                  Parc des Princes

 July 02, 1997       Vienna [Austria]                     Ernst-Happel Stadium

July 04, 1997       Munich [Germany]                          Olympic Stadium

July 06, 1997       Munich [Germany]                          Olympic Stadium

July 09, 1997       Sheffield [England, U.K.]                Don Valley Stadium

 July 12, 1997       London [England, U.K.]                  Wembley Stadium

July 15, 1997       London [England, U.K.]                  Wembley Stadium

July 17, 1997       London [England, U.K.]                  Wembley Stadium

July 19, 1997       Dublin [Ireland]                              RDS

July 25, 1997       Basel [Switzerland]                        Saint Jakobs Stadium

July 27, 1997       Nice [France]                                 Stade de l'Ouest

 Aug. 01, 1997     Berlin [Germany]                          Olympic Stadium

Aug. 03, 1997     Leipzig [Germany]                         Festwiese

Aug. 10, 1997     Hockenheim [Germany]                Hockenheimring

Aug. 14, 1997     Copenhagen [Denmark]                Parken

Aug. 16, 1997     Gothenburg [Sweden]                   Ullevi

Aug. 19, 1997     Oslo [Norway]                              Valle Hovin

Aug. 22, 1997     Tallinn [Estonia]                           Song Festival Grounds

Aug. 24, 1997     Helsinki [Finland]                         Olympic Stadium

Aug. 26, 1997     Helsinki [Finland]                         Olympic Stadium

Aug. 29, 1997     Copenhagen [Denmark]               Parken

Sept. 03, 1997    Ostend [Belgium]                         Wellington Hypodrome

Sept. 06, 1997    Valladolid [Spain]              Nuevo Jose Zorrilla Stadium

Oct. 04, 1997      Cape Town [South Africa]             Greenpoint Stadium

Oct. 06, 1997      Cape Town [South Africa]             Greenpoint Stadium

Oct. 10, 1997      Johannesburg [South Africa]         Johannesburg Stadium

Oct. 12, 1997      Johannesburg [South Africa]         Johannesburg Stadium

Oct. 15, 1997      Durban [South Africa]                    King's Park Stadium