Throwback Thursday: Michael Jackson Releases “Thriller”

Throwback Thursday: Michael Jackson Releases “Thriller”

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On this day in 1982, Michael Jackson released his iconic sixth studio album, “Thriller.” Even before recording began, Jackson was looking to create an album where “every song was a killer,” and boy, did he succeed! Featuring hit singles like “Billie Jean,” Beat It,” and “Thriller,” it remains the world’s best-selling album of all time, with over 105 million copies sold globally. “Thriller” won Album of the Year and seven other awards at the Grammy Awards in 1984. “Thriller” was an international success due to Jackson’s overwhelming star quality, it’s excellent songwriting and it’s combination of several musical genres, including pop, rock and funk. In 2003, Rolling Stone placed “Thriller” at number 20 on their list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.” Not only that, the music video for the song “Thriller” is credited as transforming the medium of music video from a promotional tool used by studios to sell records, into an art form.

Throwback Thursday: “USA for Africa”

Throwback Thursday: “USA for Africa”

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On this day in 1985, supergroup “USA for Africa” hit Number 1 on the US singles chart with their charity song, “We Are the World.” Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie (who also lent their vocals to the track), and produced by Quincy Jones, the single was arranged to raise money for African famine relief efforts. The recording of “We Are the World” brought together some of the most famous recording artists of the time, including: Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan, Cyndi Lauper, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, and Ray Charles. Sales of the benefit single – which exceeded over 20 million copies – combined with merchandise sales, raised over $63 million for the famine relief fund, which corresponds to $138 million today. “We Are the World” enjoyed critical success as well, receiving three Grammy Awards, including one for “Song of the Year.” A remake of the original song, “We Are the World 25 for Haiti,” was produced and recorded in 2010 after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti, causing massive devastation for the country. Watch the original and the remake below.