It is, quite simply, one of the most recognizable accessories worn on stage in the history of popular music.
A Michael Jackson Personally Owned Crystal-Studded Glove Worn on Stage During the Victory Tour (1984) will catch the eye of collectors in Heritage Auctions’ Entertainment & Music Memorabilia Auction Aug. 8-9 in Dallas, Texas.
Jackson was known for his style, from his sunglasses to his sequined jackets. But perhaps none is more immediately identifiable than the single glove he wore at the height of his popularity.
The July-December 1984 Victory tour was the last tour that included all six Jackson brothers (although Jackie missed some of it because of an injury). Over the six months, the Jacksons performed 55 concerts to a combined audience of roughly 2 million people.
“This is an incredibly important piece of music memorabilia, worn on stage by one of the most popular stars of all time,” Heritage Auctions Entertainment & Music Memorabilia Director Garry Shrum said. “That he wore this during the Victory tour, the last time the Jackson brothers all performed together, makes it even more valuable, because there never was another like it.”
At the start of the tour, there was no bigger star in the world than Michael, whose Thriller album was enjoying massive worldwide popularity. Many who attended the Victory tour viewed it as his tour for the Thriller album, and with good reason, as many of the songs on the set list came from his Thriller and Off the Wall albums. Throughout the tour, Michael sang lead vocals except on a medley of hits by his brother Jermaine, showed off his signature moonwalk across the stage … and wore this glove.
The Victory album was certified Double Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling at least 2 million copies. The Jackson brothers recorded one more album in 1989, but apart from a 2001 concert celebrating Michael’s 30 years as a solo artist, they never performed together again. For images and information about this glove and the rest of the 1,170 lots in the auction, visit HA.com/7221.