You now have permission to have a dance party in your office, home, or classroom. On March 25, 1983, Michael Jackson unveiled ridiculously awesome dance moves in front of a packed Pasadena Civic Auditorium. From his pop and lock to the debut of the famous moonwalk, Jackson electrified the audience during his performance of “Billie Jean” at the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever television special and signalled to the world that his recently-released album, Thriller, was going to be around yesterday, today, forever.
This Throwback Thursday, we celebrate a truly staggering album. Thriller has sold upwards of 65 million records worldwide in its 30 years of existence. It spent 37 weeks atop the Billboard charts, making it 1983’s and 1984’s top-selling album. Jackson won 8 Grammys across 3 different genres: rock, pop, and R&B. To experience talent of such breadth, depth, and longevity is stunning. I can’t think of many other albums that have influenced pop culture the way Thriller has – can you?
“Billie Jean” hit #1 on Jan. 2, 1983. Jackson’s moves are phenomenal and he had the audience eating out of his hand.
“Beat It” hit #1 on Feb. 3, 1983. This is not to be confused with “Weird” Al Yankovic’s “Eat It”.
With a video directed by John Landis, “Thriller” hit #4 on Jan. 23, 1984
“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” hit #5 May 8, 1983
