Kansas

Comparing ‘The Eras’ in KCMO: A sold-out crowd for Michael Jackson in 1984 to Taylor Swift mania

Published

12 months ago

July 7, 2023

Comparing ‘The Eras’ in KCMO: A sold-out crowd for Michael Jackson in 1984 to Taylor Swift mania

KANSAS CITY, Mo — Two different eras, but not everything has changed for concert goers in Kansas City, Missouri.

Back when Michael Jackson was bad in the ’80s, and the pop star some fans are getting to know all too well — Taylor Swift.

For Russ Cline, it’s almost like looking back to yesterday when Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 were untouchable on the same week in 1984, and in the same stadium Taylor Swift will perform in this weekend.

Cliff Schiappa/AP

The Jacksons kicked off their Victory Tour with a performance in Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium, July 6, 1984. From left: Tito, Michael and Jermaine Jackson, with Jonathan Moffett on drums. (AP Photo/Cliff Schiappa)

“When he went on that stage, the charisma coming back from the crowd, you could feel it,” said Cline, who promoted Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5’s Victory Tour. “It would knock you down like a tsunami of cheering. When he went on the stage, he left it all on the stage. He never came out with nothing left.”

Cline’s work with now-GHEA Field at Arrowhead Stadium helped him land the “King of Pop” in KCMO for the first stop on the Victory Tour. He got to be there for Michael Jackson every step of the way.

“His manager said, ‘Michael wants to meet,’ and I said, ‘I’ll be back,’” Cline said. “It was 2:00. I said I would be back in two hours and Michael and I watched the fireworks in the Plaza together.”

So, what has changed from going to a concert in 1984 to one almost 40 years later?

“The highest-priced tickets were with tax — $30. Face value — $28. All done by mail order,” Cline said. “All these thousands of tickets were ordered and you could only order six at a time and they were filled by hand. Today, we have Ticketmaster.”

The lights above the stage make a “V” as the Jacksons kick off their Victory Tour at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., July 6, 1984. The concert includes laser lights, fireworks and a five-story stage. Shown are Marlon Jackson, second from left, Jermaine, third from left, Michael, in striped pants, Tito, second from right, and Randy, right. The other members of the band are not identified. The Jacksons will perform across the U.S.A and Canada for 5 months during the Victory Tour. (AP Photo/Cliff Schiappa)

Well, call it what you want, being a Swiftie in 2023 takes concert-going to a whole new level.

“That’s the power of this concert,” Cline said.

No one knows better the way she makes them feel than Cline’s granddaughter, who didn’t think she would get the tickets.

“She’s one of your best friends, but you’ve never talked to her,” said Julia Cline, a Taylor Swift fan.

That’s how she defined a true Swiftie. When it’s time to go in 48 hours for the Saturday concert, she’ll have her 200 friendship bracelets.

“Without the bead spinner it takes like three hours, not three hours, but a while to make one bracelet,” Julia Cline said.

One day, she’ll be able to remember the time she got to see one of the biggest pop stars.

“A lot of screaming and my voice being gone in the morning,” she said.

And her grandfather will remember his too.

“Someone asked me the other day, will there be bigger? Probably, there is always bigger coming,” Russ Cline said.

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Related Topics:eras tour Featured GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium Jackson 5 Kansas City Kansas City News Michael Jackson concert Swiftie

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Kansas

Parts of the Kansas City area included in a tornado watch until 11 p.m. Friday

Published

5 hours ago

June 28, 2024

Press Room

Parts of the Kansas City area included in a tornado watch until 11 p.m. Friday

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Parts of the KSHB 41 viewing are included in a tornado watch until 11 p.m. Friday.

KSHB 41 meteorologist Wes Perry says storms will likely for between 6 and 11 p.m. in southeastern Nebraska before moving south toward the Kansas City area.

LINK | KSHB 41 Radar
LINK | Latest KSHB 41 forecast
LINK | KSHB 41 weather blog

If KSHB cuts into weather programming, the stream of our coverage will be shown in the video player below:

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Kansas

Sporting Kansas City announces Mike Burns as new sporting director

Published

12 hours ago

June 28, 2024

Press Room

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Sporting Kansas City announced Friday that Mike Burns — the former general manager of the New England Revolution — will be stepping in as the club’s sporting director.

Burns will “oversee player recruitment and roster building strategy and the continued development of the club’s professional player pathway,” according to a release from Sporting KC.

The news comes after Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes announced that he would transition from the club’s general manager to the role of chief soccer officer, while remaining Sporting KC’s manager.

Former Portland Timbers General Manager Gavin Wilkinson was initially named to the sporting director role in January, immediately garnering criticism for his role in concealing sexual harassment allegations against former coach Paul Riley.

Later that month, he and Sporting KC announced that they had mutually agreed to part ways.

Now, it’s Burns stepping in to fill the role. Burns was a member of New England’s technical staff from 2005-2019 and was part of four Eastern Conference championships and one Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

He also has a past history in Kansas City, playing for the Wizards from 2001-2002.

Burns is set to address reporters in a press conference on Tuesday.

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Kansas

Sporting Kansas City takes losing streak into match with Austin

Published

19 hours ago

June 28, 2024

Press Room

Sporting Kansas City takes losing streak into match with Austin

Associated Press

Austin FC (7-7-6, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Sporting Kansas City (3-12-5, 14th in the Western Conference)

Kansas City, Missouri; Saturday, 8:30 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Sporting Kansas City -127, Austin FC +313, Draw +280; over/under is 2.5 goals

BOTTOM LINE: Sporting Kansas City aims to break a three-game skid when it hosts Austin.

Sporting KC is 2-10-4 in Western Conference play. Sporting KC is 0-5-2 when it scores only one goal.

Austin is 7-6-5 against Western Conference opponents. Austin is 6-3 in one-goal matches.

The matchup Saturday is the second meeting of the season between the two teams. Austin won the last game 3-2.

TOP PERFORMERS: William Agada has five goals and two assists for Sporting KC. Johnny Russell has scored three goals over the past 10 games.

Sebastian Driussi has five goals and two assists for Austin. Jader Obrian has scored three goals over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Sporting KC: 1-9-0, averaging 1.3 goals, 3.6 shots on goal and 5.1 corner kicks per game while allowing 2.6 goals per game.

Austin: 3-4-3, averaging 0.9 goals, 2.9 shots on goal and 3.8 corner kicks per game while allowing 1.5 goals per game.

NOT EXPECTED TO PLAY: Sporting KC: Danny Luis Flores Gonzales (injured), Felipe Hernandez (injured), Logan Ndenbe (injured), Daniel Salloi (injured), Tim Leibold (injured), Remi Walter (injured), Alan Pulido (injured).

Austin: Daniel Pereira (injured), Jhojan Manuel Valencia Jimenez (injured), Julio Cascante (injured).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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