CLEVELAND - Michael Jackson had already been a star for about 13 years at the time of his Thriller album's release in late 1982.But that album single-handedly turned him into a music legend and cultural phenom.
When I think back on the days when that album was steamrolling the music industry, I can't help but shake my head in awe. The brilliance of the music and the amazing music videos that it spawned helped to earn Michael a larger-than-life image and unmatched popularity during two entire calendar years, 1983 and 1984.
Michael absolutely owned those two years.
As 1983 dawned, the Thriller album had been out for about a month and had not yet done much for anyone to think that it would become a record-setting cultural touchstone. It was a good record, and some critics even saw it as average or even mediocre. Some questioned why "The Girl Is Mine" was released as the lead single in October '82. No one seemed to see the importance of two of the biggest music icons in music history teaming up for this rather cool song; Michael and Paul McCartney. Maybe it was because Michael hadn't yet ascended to iconic status. He was still seen by many as the child star of the Jackson 5 who happened to go on and create a good solo album as an adult, 1979's Off The Wall.
Michael soon became an international fixation and changed everyone's perception of him.
Beginning with the release of the "Billie Jean" music video in February 1983, Michael's stature began elevating at a rapid pace. The video was so special because of his incredible dance moves that were on full display coupled with the thumping, make-you-wanna-dance bassline of the song itself. MTV began playing the clip heavily after they were forced to break their typically segregated programming in favor of the public's insatiable desire for Michael's music.
When Epic Records took the unusual step of releasing the Rock-infused "Beat It" as a single while "Billie Jean" was still headed up the charts, Michael supplemented the tough song with yet another jaw-dropping music video. Powered by aggressive lyrics by Michael and a stunning guitar solo from Eddie Van Halen, "Beat It" was an irresistible track and that iconic video turned heads everywhere. Treated as a short film, the video introduced Michael's unique fashion sense as he donned his mega famous red leather jacket which was adorned with 27 zippers. Kids and adults all over the globe were soon the proud owners (and wearers) of this awesome and eye-catching jacket (even though it was released in a very cheap, pleather edition).
Sales of the album began to take off in dramatic numbers and everywhere you went, that was virtually the only music that was heard. Michael performed at the 25th anniversary celebration of Motown Records at the end of March and when it aired on NBC in mid-May, Michael's electrifying solo performance of "Billie Jean" was the talk of America. He unveiled his now trademark dance step, the moonwalk for the first time in public and provided a 5-minute clinic on spellbinding dancing. His moves were precise and fluid and his command of the stage and entire arena was astonishing.
Michael's performance was not only critically acclaimed, it was also the de facto start of Michael mania. The single, sparkly glove, sequined jacket and black fedora all became signature accessories of his. In addition to his dark shades, "flooded" pants, white socks and Jheri-curl, Michael's sense of style became must-haves and would later become historical artifacts of his prime dominance.
"Motown 25" sparked Thriller again as the album surged and surged into unprecedented sales territory. Michael released three more singles over the next few months from the album, and all of them did very well on the charts. But it was the December 1983 release of the music video "Thriller" that turned everything around forever. The 14-minute short film possessed a plot, storyline, dialogue, music score and elaborate choreography and was helmed by feature-film director John Landis instead of a standard music video director.
The epic brilliance and conceptualization of the "Thriller" film was breathtaking. Just when it seemed that the album had run its course (it was heading down the charts), this seminal work from Michael once again injected a dose of major interest into the record and it shot right back up the charts a full year after it debuted!
As 1984 dawned, all talk was centered on Michael and the once unthinkable feat that he'd just accomplished. The Thriller album had already become the biggest selling record in history with an astounding 25 million copies sold! Michael kept the brilliance up as the new year got underway and as a result, the public fell more in love with him. He predictably won 16 awards in just six weeks from the American Music Awards and the Grammys combined. Between racking up all of that hardware, he was nearly killed while filming one of two Pepsi commercials in L.A. His hair caught fire after a special effect went awry and he suffered second and third degree burns.
Of course, he recovered very well which allowed his planet full of fans to breathe a sigh of relief. A Michael Jackson doll was released to much popularity as well as a videocassette showcasing the making of his pioneering "Thriller" film. By now, Michael was heads and shoulders above every other musician in the entire spectrum of music. He was revered, adored and highly imitated. Even President Reagan gushed over his guest appearance at the White House in May '84. "Beat It" and "Thriller" jackets were everywhere. The glitter glove was everywhere. Michael's soft and articulate voice caused scores of young women to go crazy over him and his singing made them faint.
Michael and his brothers reunited for a summer tour across America beginning in July, and fans were all too excited. The Victory Tour commenced in Kansas City, MO and lasted until late autumn. With Michael having signed an enormous endorsement deal with Pepsi in 1983, they sponsored the tour which ended up being panned by many critics, but many of us fans were just giddy to see Michael perform in person.
I know I was!
When 1984 drew to a close, it ended the most prolific and unbelievably iconic era in music and pop culture history. Though Michael continued his seismic excellence and immense popularity in the coming years, he never again enjoyed the level of adulation and obsession that followed him for two remarkable years. Once 1985 hit, it was as if the previous two years were Michael's "Cinderella" moment at the Ball with the prince, and now the clock had finally and suddenly struck midnight. The analogy may be a bit of a stretch, but I believe that it has some merit.
Beginning in 1985, nothing ever felt the same with Michael. Odd tabloid stories began to surface about him and other music acts became more visible as Michael no longer had a recent album. By the time he returned with Bad in 1987, so much had changed in music and Michael himself looked very different in appearance.
In any case, I continued to love Michael equally as the years and decades progressed. I saw his behavior get more bizarre and his face become more unfamiliar. But his heart, talent and what he always meant to me remained unchanged. He was still Michael Jackson, even up until the end.
I'll always love him for giving me the "thrill" of a lifetime!
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