- January 05 :
Michael, Quincy Jones & Bruce Swedien start recording the "Bad" album at the Westlake Studio in Los Angeles
- January 09:
Michael attends the American Cinema Awards with Sophia Loren & Sylvester Stallone.
- February:
Michael begins filming a short film for the song Smooth Criminal on his upcoming album. The video is directed by Colin Chilvers on a story written by Michael. It features young actors Sean Lennon, Kellie Parker & Brandon Adams plus Joe Pesci and among the dancers, Lavelle Smith who will become Michael choreographer.
- March 17:
Hazel gives birth to Jermaine’s son, Jaimy Jackson.
- March 31:
Filming of the “playing with the kids” scene of Smooth Criminal.
- April:
Michael withdraws from The Jeovah’s Witness.
- May:
Quincy Jones sets up a meeting between Michael & Prince in Los Angeles.
The media report that Michael wants to purchase the bones of Elephant Man.
Michael’s first solo world tour is announced to begin next September in Japon.
- June:
Michael shoots the video of The Way You Make Me Feel in Los Angeles directed by Joe Pytka, choreographed by Vincent Paterson and featuring Tatiana Thumbtzen & Latoya!
- July 9 :
Michael, Quincy & Bruce complete the mixing of the Bad album.
- July 13:
25 CBS Records executives and representatives are invited to a dinner party at Hayvenhurst where they are treated with a preview of the Bad album and the Bad short film.
Epic announces that the Bad album has been completed and will be released on August 31.
- July 15:
's Radio 1 premieres I Just Can’t Stop Loving You, the first single from the Bad Album.
- July 27:
The single IJCSTLU is released worldwide without a video.
- August:
Michael rehearses for the Bad World Tour in Los Angeles .
- August 20:
Jackie & Enid are officicially divorced. Enid keeps custody of Siggy & Brandi.
- August 25 :
The album Bad is released worldwide.
The Bad video is premiered worldwide in the TV Special Michael Jackson : The Magic Returns.
- September:
The single Bad is released.
Michael is on the cover of Ebony magazine.
Michael appears in a new Pepsi commercial with young actor Jimmy Safechuck.
Michael hires Bob Jones, vice-president of MJJ Productions.
- September 9:
Michael arrives in Tokyo (Japon) with pet chimp Bubbles, Katherine & Joe, LaToya & her manager Jack Gordon, Quincy Jones, Frank Dileo, Karen Faye, Michael Bush, Bill Bray, Wayne Nagin, Donny Osmond ect… He stays at the Capitol Hotel.
- September 10:
Michael visits Korakuen Amusement Park .
- September 11:
Michael visits Disneyland Tokyo.
- September 12/13/14:
Michael kicks off his first ever solo tour at the Tokyo Dome.
- September 20/21:
Concerts in Osaka . Michael is presented the key to the city by Mayor Oshima at a formal tea ceremony where Michael is accompanied by Bubbles!
- September 25/26/27:
Concert in Yokohama . Michael dedicates the concerts to the memory of Yoshiaki Ogiwara, a five year old boy who was murdered.
Michael gives a interview to Mollie Mildrew for Australian TV. Mollie ha interviewed Michael ten years earlier!
Ebony/Jet showcases an interview of Michael by Darryl Dennard.
- October:
Hazel files for divorce and Jermaine introduces Margaret to the family.
Janet leaves Hayvenhurst to move in with her boyfriend Rene Helizondo Jr.
- October 3/4 :
Concerts in Yokohoma.
- October 10/11/12:
Concerts in Osaka .
Michael is on the cover of People with a hand-written message from Michael.
- October 13:
Michael flies back home.
- October 31:
MTV premieres the video of The Way You Make Me Feel.
- November 11:
Michael arrives in Sydney () and takes an onward flight to Melboune.
- November 12:
Michael visits a children’s hospital in Melbourne .
- November 13:
Concert in Melbourne .
Michael meets a young boy named Brett Barnes.
- November 20/21:
Concerts in Sydney .
- November 25/28:
Concerts in Brisbane .
Stevie Wonder & Michael perform Just Good Friends live on stage! Michael meets a young boy named Wade Robson.
- November 30:
Michael flies back home.
- December:
The single The Way You Make Me Feel is released.
