INDIANA INFLUX:MICHAEL JACKSON'S journey ended last week in Los Angeles at Forest Lawn Cemetery, but the tour's not over yet. Fans who won't stop till they get enough of the musician are returning to his early years, when Jackson was living in Gary, Indiana.
“We’ve had people from all over. I’ve had calls from Canada, and people are coming from Arizona and California,” said Janice Bowden of the Gary Chamber of Commerce.
The seventh child of the Jackson family was born in the steel-industry town 50 years ago, and lived there until 1968. After school and on weekends, he and the four other brothers who made up the Jackson 5 would perform in the city.
The main attractions include the Jackson family home (2300 Jackson Street) and Mr Lucky’s Lounge (1100 Grant Street). In 1964, the Jackson 5 held one of their first performances in this now-defunct lounge. The new owner has expressed plans to sell the stage and exterior bricks to those who want to own a piece of Jackson history.
Other attractions include Garnett Elementary School (21st Avenue) and Roosevelt High School (730 W 25th Avenue). Jackson attended Garnett (now closed). Also, Knights of Columbus Building (333 W Fifth Avenue) – the brothers performed at the ballroom of this historic brick structure, one of the tallest buildings in Gary. It’s now an affordable-housing high-rise.
Then there's Gordon Keith's home at 1025 Taney Street. Keith, who ran Steeltown Records, produced Big Boyand We Don't Have to Be Over 21 (to Fall in Love), before the group signed with Motown in 1968.
La Times – Washington Post