Michael Jackson’s Thriller Turns 40!
Wait, what? Michael Jackson‘s Thriller turns 40!?
November 30, 1982
Forty years ago this month on November 30, 1982 the world saw history in the making: the release of Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
According to Wikipedia:
With 32 million copies sold worldwide by the end of 1983, Thriller became the best-selling album of all time. It was the best-selling album of 1983 worldwide. In 1984 it became the first album to become the best-selling in the United States for two years. It set industry standards with its songs, music videos, and promotional strategies influencing artists, record labels, producers, marketers, and choreographers.
Record Breaking Stats
Thriller broke every record breakable, too numerous to mention. Subsequently my favorite is this. The hit single Billie Jean was SO popular, it forced MTV to change their policy. Before Billie Jean, MTV did not play videos from black artists. Michael Jackson broke down the wall for hundreds of black artists. Could you imagine NOT seeing a black artist on The MTV Video Music Awards today? We have Michael Jackson to thank for that.
Thriller-The Video
Another first was achieved with Thriller-The Video. Michael Jackson was the first artist whose music video was actually, a movie, directed by an actual famous movie director John Landis. Landis was perfect for the video, as he was well known for directing An American Werewolf In London.
Vincent Price
Did you know that the frightful, spoken word narration at the end of Thriller is horror movie actor Vincent Price? They paid him $1000, according to reports!
The Hits Of Thriller
Billie Jean, Thriller, PYT, Beat It, Human Nature, Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin, The Girl Is Mine (with Paul McCartney)
Yes, SEVEN hit songs on ONE album. You can almost call it a greatest hits album. But, that’s what you got with almost EVERY Michael Jackson album.
I can’t believe it either: Michael Jackson’s Thriller turns 40! It stands the test of time, and will be enjoyed for generations to come.
Here’s my favorite song off Thriller!