Thriller is the sixth studio album by American singer Michael Jackson. Released on November 30, 1982, by Epic Records, it is the best-selling album of all time, with estimated sales of 66 million copies worldwide. It was produced by Jackson and Quincy Jones, and features a blend of genres, including pop, rock, funk, and soul. The album spawned seven Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles: “The Girl Is Mine”, “Billie Jean”, “Beat It”, “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'”, “Human Nature”, “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)”, and “Thriller”.
Thriller was a critical and commercial success, winning a record eight Grammy Awards at the 25th Grammy Awards in 1984, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Pop Vocal Performance – Male for “Billie Jean”. The album was also nominated for a Brit Award for International Album of the Year. In 2001, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
The album’s music videos were also highly successful, with “Billie Jean” and “Thriller” becoming two of the most iconic music videos of all time. “Thriller” is a 14-minute long short film directed by John Landis, and features Jackson performing the song alongside a group of zombies. The video was a critical and commercial success, and is credited with popularizing the music video format.
Thriller is a landmark album in popular music history, and its influence can be heard in the work of many artists today. It is an essential album for any fan of music.
Fun Fact
The iconic music video for the song almost titled “Midnight Man” was directed by John Landis, who was known for directing horror films such as “An American Werewolf in London.” The 14-minute music video, which features elaborate dance sequences and horror-inspired scenes, was one of the most expensive music videos ever made at the time, costing over $500,000. The video also included a spoken-word section by horror film legend Vincent Price, which became one of the most memorable parts of the song.
About the Artist
Michael Jackson was an American singer, songwriter, and dancer who was born in Gary, Indiana, on August 29, 1958. He was the eighth of ten children in the Jackson family, and began his career as a child star with his brothers in the Jackson 5. As a solo artist, he went on to become one of the most successful and influential musicians of all time. He won 13 Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. He was also the recipient of numerous other awards, including the World Music Award for best-selling pop male artist of the century. Jackson died on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50.
Jackson’s music was a blend of pop, rock, funk, and soul. He was known for his innovative dance moves, including the moonwalk, which he popularized in his music videos. He was also a fashion icon, and his style was often imitated by his fans. Jackson was a global superstar, and his music was enjoyed by people of all ages and cultures. He is considered one of the most important and influential musicians of all time.
