Jacksons albums part of history

I remember my first live pop-music concert.

It was in 1973 at what was called the University of Utah Special Events Center, now known as the Huntsman Center.

It wasn't a rock band but a boy band called the Jackson 5.

Yes. Michael was 13, and he and his brothers — Marlon, Jermaine, Tito and Jackie — were in top form singing the hits from "I Want You Back" to "I'll Be There" and "Goin' Back to Indiana" and Michael's solo "Got to Be There."

It was during "Goin' Back to Indiana" where the J5 introduced younger brother Randy.

I was in awe, because I really liked the Jackson 5. And my aunt and uncle knew it. (This was the aunt who taught me to sing "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" before I learned how to sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.")

Anyway, my aunt and uncle took me and my mom to the show, and I will always remember it.

Fast forward to 1980.

I was 14 and living in Kansas with my mom, sister and new stepdad. I was away from my friends in Utah and was feeling a little sad during the holiday season. But that was going to change.

On Christmas Day I opened a present my aunt and uncle had sent me earlier in the week.

Lo and behold it was not one, but two vinyl albums — the Jacksons' "Triumph" and Kenny Rogers' "Greatest Hits."

My aunt knew that at the time I was into the progressive rock of Styx, Yes and Kansas, but she also knew that I liked some country, and Kenny was on every radio station at the time.

But it was the Jacksons that drew my attention. The lineup at that time included Randy, but not Jermaine. That didn't matter, because Michael was back in the group after his breakthrough success with his fifth studio solo album titled "Off the Wall."

"Triumph" opened majestically with the symphonic-join-together lead single "Can You Feel It" and shot through a load of high-energy rhythm 'n' blues tracks, such as "Lovely One," "Your Ways" and "Everybody."

The track that caught hold of me was "Heartbreak Hotel." While it didn't resemble, nor was is based around, Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel," the lyrics were almost as haunting.