Music icon Michael Jackson is one of the most iconic and beloved performers of the 20th century. While Jackson has made many musical contributions, perhaps he is universally known for being responsible for one of the highest-selling albums in history. In 1982, Jackson solidified his solo career by releasing the critically acclaimed “Thriller” album.
Jackson, who was no stranger to the entertainment industry, understood the importance of this record. Thriller, to Jackson’s delight, was a massive success and further made him a global superstar. He became a powerhouse in the music industry and a force to be reckoned with.
Why Was “Thriller” Essential For Michael Jackson’s Career?
In the early 1980s, Michael Jackson was enjoying the success of his 1979 album, “Off The Wall.” “Off The Wall” was an important step forward for the entertainer in numerous ways. Firstly, it was his first solo album not released by Motown Records. Secondly, it was the first album Jackson recorded as an adult and had more creative control in.
While “Off the Wall” helped establish Jackson as a promising solo performer and introduced classic songs such as “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” and “Rock With You”, Jackson was still in the initial stages of planning a lasting solo career and needed to record an album that would officially separate him from his past work as a teen idol. Thriller, if successful, would take his solo career to a completely new level and free him from being known as the lead singer of the Jackson 5/Jacksons.
Jackson knew that “Thriller” not only had to be a unique artistic expression, but a successful, high-charting album. After years of experience in the industry as well as the confidence “Off The Wall” gave him, Jackson used his “Thriller” project to showcase his individualism, creativity, and artistry.
The artist blossomed into his own and desired to record non-Jackson 5-sounding music. He wanted his own unique sound and to change the pop landscape.
The young 24-year-old had to prove to himself and the world that he was much more than the cute child who touched hearts as the lead singer of the Jackson 5. Thriller allowed him to do this, and furthermore, helped make him into a global pop star.
Not only was “Thriller” musically innovative and exciting for its era, but it helped usher the era of expensive, well-produced music videos. Jackson’s “Thriller” music video received widespread acclaim and became one of the most important music videos of his career.
Jackson’s solo career skyrocketed after the massive success of “Thriller”, which led to more innovative albums such as “Bad” and “Dangerous.” According to MSN, “Thriller” has an indelible legacy and is one of the most beloved albums ever. Rolling Stone ranked “Thriller” in the top 15 of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. With Jackson’s solo success, he also became a savvy businessman who even at one point owned The Beatles music catalog.
How Did “Thriller” Help Michael Jackson Evolve After His Jackson 5 Involvement?
Motown helped make Jackson a star, alongside his brothers, with the Jackson 5. Michael Jackson was only a child when he became a household name. With the Jackson 5, Jackson recorded timeless hits such as:
“ABC”
“I’ll Be There”
“Who’s Lovin’ You”
“Never Can Say Goodbye”
“The Love You Save”
Unfortunately, Jackson paid a tragic price for his early fame. Joseph Jackson, the patriarch of the Jackson family, was not only Jackson’s father, but his manager. According to Biography, Joe Jackson has a complicated legacy. While he is partially responsible for the Jackson 5’s success, Jackson also was an abusive father who overworked his children.
Michael Jackson once said about his father in an interview that “he was very strict. He was very hard.” Michael Jackson and his brothers have been open about the fact that Joe Jackson would physically punish and verbally abuse them when they made mistakes, according to The Guardian.
Jackson’s adult obsession with childhood fantasies is often attributed to his troubled childhood, where he did not fully experience being a child. He began working and touring at a young age, and his father kept him disciplined.
Jackson and his brothers were rarely allowed to act their respective ages and do fun activities. For most of his childhood, Michael Jackson was fully committed to the Jackson 5 and nothing else.
When Jackson became an adult, he had had enough and desired to go his separate ways professionally. He was tired of leading the Jackson 5/Jacksons and wanted to establish himself as a solo performer.
He wanted to have creative control over his projects and not have to answer to anybody
“Off the Wall”, which was produced by Quincy Jones, was the first major step in Jackson’s vision for his future
“Thriller”‘s success made Jackson the star he dreamed of being. The album broke records and featured classic staples such as:
“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'”
“Beat It”
“Billie Jean”
“Human Nature”
“P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)”
And of course, the title track!
“Thriller” was filled with massive hits that ultimately gave Jackson a notable solo catalog. He would often perform many of “Thriller”‘s songs in concerts around the world.
Michael Jackson suddenly passed away on June 25th, 2009 in the midst of preparing for a touring comeback after many years of living a quiet live raising his children. His “This Is It” performances were scheduled to occur at the O2 Arena in London, England.
Multiple songs from the “Thriller” album were included on Jackson’s planned set list. Jackson had his rehearsals for the concert series filmed for his own personal records, and some of the footage was released in the form of the posthumous concert documentary, “Michael Jackson’s This Is It.”
In 2022, “Thriller” celebrated its 40th anniversary and a commemorative reissue was released with previously unreleased material including demos that never came to fruition during the “Thriller” recording sessions.
