Local Fans Remember Jackson's Victory Tour At RFK

SEAT PLEASANT, Md. (WUSA) -- When Michael Jackson and his brothers brought their Victory Tour to RFK stadium in 1984, it was the place to be. They played to two sold out concerts before 90,000 people, including one six-year-old boy.

"I remember like it was yesterday. He came out wearing a shroud and pulled it off. I remember it vividly," says 31-year-old Hashim Miles of Seat Pleasant.

His mom, Gail Miles, bought the tickets for her son's seventh birthday because he loved the pop singer.

"Everybody loves him. His music reached all countries, all people," she explains.

"I danced like him. I knew all his songs on Thriller," says Hashim. "I remember the crowd around me at the concert. Everyone was wearing a white glove and lots of jheri curls."

Some people camped out to get tickets to the victory tour at RFK. It took Gail just two hours in line at the old Hecht company department story ticket outlet. For $30 a ticket, she would give her son his most exciting childhood memory.

"My childhood is gone now that Michael Jackson is dead," says Hashim.

But Michael Jackson's own childhood was no doubt stressful, blasting to stardom at age five. He talked about it in this rare interview in 1984.

"I was raised on stage. That's where I'm most comfortable. When I was real little, I did go to public school for a week. But, it got so bad with fans, they'd come to class and chase us around and stuff," he said.

Like many fans, Hashim and his mom were disappointed to see him change his appearance, but they cling to the memories of his early years.

"He didn't have a childhood. He didn't have time to be ordinary, just run-of-the-mill," says Gail.

Hashim said "I hope he finds peace."