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"Thriller," 25 years later

by
Jamie Lynn

Comparing siblings is never fair, is it? But here goes. When it comes to the Jacksons, I'd have to say I prefer Janet.

But that's a recent phenomenon. Back in the more innocent days of 1983, long before the freakish media obsession and allegations of child abuse, it was Michael all the way. That's the year Thriller hit the record stores, bringing a slew of hit tunes to the radio and red pleather jackets to the retail market. I didn't own the jacket, but Mary J. Blige and Beyonce did, or so they confess over at Amazon.com. Amazon is promoting the 25th anniversary re-release of the Thriller album, which includes special collaborations with current artists.

I'm pretty sure I have the dusty vinyl tucked away somewhere in storage, but I'm seriously tempted to get this album. Not for Michael, but because of the collaborations. Truthfully, if you could imagine Michael Jackson collaborating with any current artist, would this woman be the one?

Fergie. That's just weird enough that I might spend money to hear it. She's on the track for “Beat It,” and reviews I've read online suggest that if you are a Michael purist, you'll hate it, but if not, it's kind of fun.

Other collaborators include artists as diverse as Kanye West and Paul McCartney.

And if you're up for a moonwalk down memory lane, the release is actually a package that includes photos and a DVD with the old music videos, including Jackson's first public moonwalk.

I don't know what makes me feel older; the fact that it came out 25 years ago (hey, if you count a kiss with my kindergarten crush, so did I), or that I read about the anniversary and thought “Well, 25 years wasn't really that long ago.”

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    • Submitted by
    Jamie Lynn
    on February 15, 2008 - 4:03pm.
    TAGS :: 
    explorergal's picture

    25 Years and counting

    Submitted by
    Explorergal (387 posts)
    on February 15, 2008 - 7:50pm.

    I remember the debut of the Thriller video.  It certainly was amazing at the time and probably did a lot to change the world of music from just listening to watching as well.

    So much has changed since the Michael of Thriller and subsequent hit records.  A shame to see a life with such talent degrade into a cartoon character of himself.  

    I might indulge in the Anniversary edition to hear current takes on some great pop songs.  If only we could all harken back to 25 years ago and have a 25th anniversary of our own lives!

    sapphistafricana's picture

    Michael Jackson is the Greatest!

    Submitted by
    sapphistafricana (151 posts)
    on February 15, 2008 - 8:16pm.

    Michael Jackson is  the

    -Greatest Entertainer of All Time.

    -King of Pop, Elvis who, Justin Justin what?

    You better recognize :)

    Elvis730's picture

    good but not great

    Submitted by
    Elvis730 (54 posts)
    on February 16, 2008 - 11:03pm.

    I have to disagree  sapphistafricana Michael Jackson is not The greatest entertainer of all time that title goes to Elvis Presley....dont get me wrong Michael was good...in the old days but no body comes close to Elvis

    Michael may be the King of Pop

    But Elvis is the King of Rock

     

    ~Elvis Presley~

    krazykay7's picture

    Michael is......

    Submitted by
    krazykay7 (5 posts)
    on February 17, 2008 - 2:36pm.
    the greatest because he was original and didn't steal style from anyone and promote it as his own. Every artist today has taken something awaty from Michael and we see it constantly. I cannot say the same for Elvis.
    Khia's picture

    NAH

    Submitted by
    Khia (12 posts)
    on February 16, 2008 - 11:43pm.
    Elvis? I am speechless. I would have to agree with Sapphistafricana. Michael is better.
    Elvis730's picture

    Elvis all the way

    Submitted by
    Elvis730 (54 posts)
    on February 17, 2008 - 12:08am.

    Elvis is the better one...the record books show it...more people watched Elvis Aloha from hawaii concert via satellite then they did the first landing on the moon!

    Every concert he did was booked out, even in his declining health thousands of peple came to see him perform.

    His house is second to only the White House of most popular homes that people visit in the US and he has sold over a billion records world wide..

    I can go on and on, but clearly he is better then Michael....like I said, I like Michael Jackson but Elvis is and will always be the KING 

      

    ~Elvis Presley~

    CuddlyCarla's picture

    Um, check the record books

    Submitted by
    CuddlyCarla (18 posts)
    on February 17, 2008 - 3:42pm.
    Um, check the record books again. Michael has more entries into Guiness book of World Records than any other entertainer. Most records ever sold, best selling single of all time, best selling album, most hits off of any album, we could go on and on. Graceland may be #2 to the White House but that's because Neverland isn't open to the public. Try checking out Michael's combined global record sales and we'll see who the king is.
    grahamcracker977's picture

    DIDN'T HAVE THE JACKET...

    Submitted by
    grahamcracker (64 posts)
    on February 17, 2008 - 9:06am.

    But I had the t-shirt, the parachute pants...and a sequined glove!  How dorky was I in 1983???

    Seriously though, I remember the debut.  I think there's still a little notebook somewhere where I drew out my own Thriller video (Mom keeps this as blackmail I'm sure!).

    Back in 2001, I hit ebay and found a vhs copy of THE MAKING OF THRILLER...talk about bringing back memories!  Micheal when he didn't look like LaToya!

    coco chanel's picture

    no sir!

    Submitted by
    coco chanel (39 posts)
    on February 17, 2008 - 1:15pm.

    michael jackson is way better that elvis

    elvis might be better for you elvis730...

    CuddlyCarla's picture

    Totally agreed. Michael

    Submitted by
    CuddlyCarla (18 posts)
    on February 17, 2008 - 3:38pm.
    Totally agreed. Michael Jackson = WAY better than Elvis. Not to mention his two "accusers" both had families with criminal histories of suing people for false claims in the past. Why does no one mention this?! I guess it's easier to pass judgement immediately... Anyway, I love Michael and Elvis. But, Michael is far more talented. Elvis could actually only play about four chords on guitar. He actually faked it most of the time. BTW, Coco - you're hot!
    sapphistafricana's picture

    Michael Jackson is the Greatest!

    Submitted by
    sapphistafricana (151 posts)
    on February 17, 2008 - 7:04pm.

    Michael is the King!

    You can go to any part of the world and you'll find a Michael Jackson fan...

    Last time I checked Little Richard was King of Rock

    you better recognize!

    Elvis730's picture

    not true

    Submitted by
    Elvis730 (54 posts)
    on February 18, 2008 - 3:42am.

    Not true about the guitar, he was an accomplished player, he got his first guitar at the age of 13. (RE: watch the 1968 Comeback Special)He actually preferred to play the piano and was rather good at it. He used to play it while on stage performing. He even played bass guitar and the drums 

    Everybody may know Michael Jackson all over the world but they also know Elvis

    Look I don’t want to sit here and argue over it, like I said Michael Jackson was good I liked his early stuff but Elvis (to me) is a hole lot better in looks, performance and sound.

    Anyway it's impossible to compare the two. They were both very different is the way they sang and performed and began their careers in very different times

    Lets just agree to disagree shall we? besides were getting way off topic from the original topic

     

     

    ~Elvis Presley~

    kellyloving's picture

    Firgie

    Submitted by
    kelly (7 posts)
    on February 19, 2008 - 9:53am.

    I love her music and the amazing voice.

    ----

    I am Kelly and I'd love to meet some like-minded friends here. You can also check out my profile with photos at http://www.femmate.com under my name.  ^_^


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