We've hit #20 on the Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums of All Time list: Michael Jackson's Thriller.
As many times as I've taught classes dealing with American popular culture, that's how many times I've shown the video of Michael Jackson introducing the moonwalk while singing "Billie Jean" at the Motown 25th Anniversary show. Baby Boomers will tell you that the pinnacle of rock and roll television came when the Beatles first appeared on Ed Sullivan ... older fans might remember Elvis's early teevee performances ... but for anyone old enough to remember, Michael Jackson's moonwalk is right up there.
It's difficult to get across to students the full impact of Michael Jackson in the early 80s. They've all grown up in a post-Michael world ... they've seen the moonwalk a thousand times ... and Michael himself has gotten a bit weird over the years. And so students bring their preconceived notions of Michael Jackson to the table, and they don't get the revolutionary nature of his work, and they see elements of today's Michael whenever they watch early-80s Michael, and so they think "yeah, I remember back in the day when Michael Jackson was the shit" as if he was just the R. Kelly of his day.
Well, that's not true. The early/mid-80s were, among other things, one of the key periods in recent American pop culture not just for stars, but for SUPERSTARS. There were artists like Prince and Bruce Springsteen, transcendent figures, for better or worse. Bruce sold 15 million copies of Born in the USA, then released a live box-set that at the time was claimed to have kickstarted the CD revolution (people bought CD players just to make it easier to listen to Bruce Live). Prince sold 13 million copies of Purple Rain, the movie grossed $68 million in the States, and Prince got himself an Oscar in the process.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Eric Olsen
No, we weren't wrong about Thriller or Off the Wall, or Bad, or about the Jackson 5 before them. The greatness of the music and his performing charisma through Bad is what makes his persoanl collapse so hard to take, and so hard for many to even believe.
2 - joe
I think you guys are all wrong. because the thriller album should of been #2 of all time and #1 of all time should be micheal jackson dangerous and #3 should be micheal jackson bad.you peeps are only judging him and his music instead of just the music.micheal is the best in the world not just in the usa.so i think you are all very wrong sorry to see and read that wow i thought you guys know what you guys were doing.
3 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
joe, this right here was from a rolling stone poll, i belive, and nothining to do with the good blogcritic types. Steve just reported the placing, and then added his own thoughts. The actual #20 for Thriller ain't a thing to do with anyone but those folks that gather no moss, apparently.
And i gotta say, Bad is embaressing for at least 60% of its duration.
4 - jonty
please who ever reads this i need micheal's email pls its a matter of life and death
5 - Eric Olsen
Jonty, if obtaining MIchael Jackson's email is truly a matter of life and death, I would contact one of his lawyers, although I can't imagine this really being the case.
6 - Jose
Ha-ha-ha...what?? Michael Jackson the inventor of the "MOONWALK"??? Shit, my fellow ignorants, he used that name for a dance that Mexican immortal comedian RESORTES invented back in 1954!! Man...Americans can't come up with anything, cause the entired world will think they invented everything. Guess who invented the modern color TV? Look south of the border, little kids. Adios
7 - Mac Diva
One of the things I keep on my computer is the full video of Thriller. I watch it at least once a month.
The video is available for download on several peer-to-peer networks. Not that I'm counseling people to break the law or anything-:).
8 - MYKE
DEAR SIR,
I WANT YOU TO SEND MICHAEL JACKSON PRESENT PICTURE TO ME,BEFORE I WILL RAZE CURMENT.
BEST REGARD,
MYKE.
9 - lloyd bond
plz email me
10 - abbi
hey... could you find a link to somewhere to download the video of thriler, where'd you get it from?
ta xx
11 - Diana Farrant
I need to be able to send him and e-mail.I want to support him.He needs are prayers.
12 - Eric Olsen
go through his website or record label
13 - craig
why don't u all shut up MICHAEL JACKSON is the best thing to happen to the music Industry.
14 - Rock
Where can I find Thriller video ? Pls ! I must download it fast !! Mail me at [deleted. com]
15 - nick
Ebay
16 - ndilalolo
hi
Jesus- Christ is the only one who can disguilt anybody from any accusation if you accept him like your lord and saviour. so i like michael j.and i think that he must accept Jesus Christ and not only believe that he exists but he must confess Jesus in his heart and not on his lips. Jesus is alive and wants to be gloried in your life Michael. don't harden your heart, think about a minute and be graceful to Jesus for his assistance, the elevation and wealthiness he has been giving you. You have to know that money can't pay for everlasting life,whatever rich you are.
JESUS CHRIST LOVES YOU MICHAEL DONT HARDEN YOUR HEART. JESUS IS STANDIND AT THE DOOR OF YOUR HEART. HE LOVES ALL OF YOU.
17 - modest
hi micheal,
how can i get ur mail.
iwant to disscus some private issues
with u it is important
ur reply pls.
18 - Kristen
Michael Jackson is one of the most naturally talented performers in the history of the World. No matter what he has been acussed of, no matter what he has physically transformed into, the FACT still remains that his TALENT is UNSURPASSED.
19 - MJ_NO.1_LOVER
MICHAEL JACKSON IS THE KING OF THE WOLRD..HE IS THE KING OF ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL MUSIC..I LOVE U TO BITS MICHAEL... INVINCIBLE IS THE BEST ALBUM OF ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIME AND THEN ALL YOUR OTHER ALBUMS... WE LOVE U MICHAEL... ur the best of the best!!!!!! mj-the sex god...
20 - GotDamn
PEOPLE ARE NUTZ! LOSERS. MJ is not even aware of this crap.
21 - Steve
I reckon Bad and Dangerous were better albums than Thriller. Thriller was huge because of MTV and the advent of music videos, along with MJ's moonwalk.
22 - samsom 4rm Nigeria
IT IS WELL WITH U MICHEAL BUT GIYE UR LIFE TO JESUS AND STOP SATANISM
23 - Diana
hi people. I know michael is innocent, cuz i saw him for the first time when i was 4. And his music is great. When i saw him in London, i was so happy, because when you see him in real, it's just a lovely man! I just wanted to say that,
xx, Diana
24 - fisher
i need to know all thsi about the thriller? ::
when?
what?
where?
who?
why?
25 - carl
I THINK MICHAEL JACKSON LOOKS LIKE A MONKEY NOW HE SHOULD NOT OF GOTTEN PLASTIC SURGERY