25 years since 'king of pop' Michael Jackson bossed Páirc Uí Chaoimh

IF you thought Páirc Uí Chaoimh rocked to the ‘Boss’, Bruce Springsteen, two weeks ago, imagine what it was like 25 years ago this week (Tuesday, Jul 30), when the ‘King of Pop’, Michael Jackson, played two gigs there.

I was moonwalking with anticipation when it was announced that as part of his ‘Bad’ tour, in 1988, Jackson was coming to Cork. In late ’80s, we were starved of superstars like Jackson. But thanks to concert promoter, Oliver Barry, the deal was done. Online booking wasn’t an option and I scrambled to the local ticket shop to pay my hefty £16.50 to stand at the concert.

Sure, I had to beg my parents for me to be allowed go and had to queue for hours for the ticket, but no sweat.