Reeling Through The Years
THE THRILLER / BAD ERA: 1982-1988
1982-1984
In addition to his narration, the storybook featured his song “Someone in the Dark (Opening Version)” and “Someone in the Dark (Closing Version)”. That same month on Nov. 30, 1982, Michael released his powerhouse album Thriller - a nine-song album, packing a punch of soulful funk, pop and R&B.
Thriller, co-produced by Michael and Quincy Jones, featured seven singles:
“The Girl is Mine” (Feat. Paul McCartney) - USA-Released Oct. 18, 1982
“Billie Jean” - Released in the USA on Jan. 2, 1983
“Beat It” - Released in the USA on Feb. 14, 1983
“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” Released in the USA on May 8, 1983
“Human Nature” Released in the USA on July 3, 1983
“P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” - Released in the USA on Sept. 19, 1983
“Thriller” - Released in the USA on Jan. 23, 1984
Though Thriller wasn’t Michael’s debut solo album, it was a body of work that carried his musical career to the next level. However, the magnitude of his success ran deeper than the album itself. In addition to the music was his dancing and stage presence that made him the total package - particularly on March 25, 1983 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium during the taping of “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever”. That single performance, featuring a young man at the age of 24, wearing a black sequent jacket, a single shiny rhinestoned glove and a black fedora, changed entertainment history.
The song: “Billie Jean”. The signature move: the Moonwalk.
Michael’s “Motown 25” performance changed music, dance and artistry forever, inspiring his career ambitions and motived an infinite amount of artists who came after him. From that night-on, Michael Jackson was more than a household name. He was a worldwide phenomenon. (Yes, he really was a worldwide phenomenon - and the short film to his song 'Thriller' was still to come).
On Dec. 2, 1983, Michael premiered his short film for "Thriller" - a 13-minute, 43-second mini movie, starring him and Ola Ray. The film, directed by John Landis, generated shockwaves throughout the entertainment industry, creating a surge of publicity. On Jan. 23, 1984, he released "Thriller" as a single - completing his seven-single success from the album.
“The Girl is Mine” (Feat. Paul McCartney) - USA-Released Oct. 18, 1982
“Billie Jean” - Released in the USA on Jan. 2, 1983
“Beat It” - Released in the USA on Feb. 14, 1983
“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” Released in the USA on May 8, 1983
“Human Nature” Released in the USA on July 3, 1983
“P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” - Released in the USA on Sept. 19, 1983
“Thriller” - Released in the USA on Jan. 23, 1984
Though Thriller wasn’t Michael’s debut solo album, it was a body of work that carried his musical career to the next level. However, the magnitude of his success ran deeper than the album itself. In addition to the music was his dancing and stage presence that made him the total package - particularly on March 25, 1983 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium during the taping of “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever”. That single performance, featuring a young man at the age of 24, wearing a black sequent jacket, a single shiny rhinestoned glove and a black fedora, changed entertainment history.
The song: “Billie Jean”. The signature move: the Moonwalk.
Michael’s “Motown 25” performance changed music, dance and artistry forever, inspiring his career ambitions and motived an infinite amount of artists who came after him. From that night-on, Michael Jackson was more than a household name. He was a worldwide phenomenon. (Yes, he really was a worldwide phenomenon - and the short film to his song 'Thriller' was still to come).
On Dec. 2, 1983, Michael premiered his short film for "Thriller" - a 13-minute, 43-second mini movie, starring him and Ola Ray. The film, directed by John Landis, generated shockwaves throughout the entertainment industry, creating a surge of publicity. On Jan. 23, 1984, he released "Thriller" as a single - completing his seven-single success from the album.
On Feb. 28, 1984, just one month after his seventh single released, Michael won eight of the 11 Grammys he was nominated for.
WINNER
“Album of the Year” - Thriller
“Record of the Year” - “Beat It”
“Best R&B Song” - “Billie Jean”
“Best Male Pop Vocal Performance” “Thriller”
“Best Male R&B Vocal Performance” - “Billie Jean”
“Non-Classical Producer of the Year”
“Best Male Rock Vocal Performance” - “Beat It”
“Best Album for Children” - E.T. - the Extra-Terrestrial”
NOMINEE
“Song of the Year” - “Beat It”
“Song of the Year” - “Billie Jean”
“Best R&B Song” - “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”
That same year, The Jacksons went back on tour, this time as a group of six. Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Michael and Randy launched an album and tour titled Victory. Victory - the album: USA-Released July 2, 1984
Victory - the tour: USA-launched July 6, 1984
With the success of Thriller, his Motown 25 performances (with his brothers and solo), Grammy success and The Jacksons Victory Tour, Michael sparked an excitement in Motown, motivating them to release a brand new package of unreleased material, recorded 11 years earlier between January-September of 1973 titled Farewell My Summer Love. The title track, written by Keni St. Lewis was written specifically for Michael. According to Keni, “Freddie [Perren] and I were talking and he asked me, ‘Hey, do you have any young love-sounding songs that we could use for Michael [Jackson]?’ Well, I wasn’t going to say 'no,' but the truth was that I didn’t have any at that time. But, when Freddie asked me, I told him ‘Yeah, I’ve got something you could use.’ So when I got home, I just ran with pen in hand and begin to write down lyrics as quickly as I could.”
The Thriller Era dominated magazines, radio, television, award shows, commercials and stages across the U.S., and throughout the world. Life-long fans up to that point were first introduced to Michael's music when he was 11 years old with the Jackson 5. By 1984, a new generation of fans were alive and were craving Michael Jackson-everything. It was this earth-shattering success that inspired the craftsmanship of his next era: Bad.
1985-1989
In January of 1985, Michael and Lionel Ritchie, with producer help from Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian recorded "We Are the World". Michael and Lionel wrote the song, and in January, a slew of stars, including Stevie Wonder, Huey Lewis and Cyndi Lauper recorded special vocals. The artists entered A&M Studios under a sign that read "Check Your Egos at the Door," to record Michael Jackson and Lionel's song that was released two months later on March 7, 1985.
"We Are the World" went on to become a number one hit and was labeled a true driving force for aiding Africa with food, medicine and other essentials to help those in need.
One year later, Michael released a special 3D film called "Captain EO." The 17-minute film was filled with dancing and provided an intergalactic / fantasy-like story that unknowingly gave fans their first taste of his album Bad. The film featured his song "Another Part of Me," which went on to become the 6th single from the Bad.
"Captain EO" was more than a film for Michael. It went on to become a special ride at Disneyland in September of 1986, in Tomorrowland, giving Michael a perfect gateway to capture his current and potential new fans for his upcoming album.
Despite not releasing a full album since 1982, Michaelmania was well underway, giving him the perfect platform for a new release.
In 1987, Michael released his most recent studio album, following the Off the Wall and Thriller's successful format: Michael behind the microphone. Quincy Jones and him as the album's co-producers.
The album was recorded between Jan. 5 - July 9, 1987, and Michael's first single from the album released on July 20 of that year.
"We Are the World" went on to become a number one hit and was labeled a true driving force for aiding Africa with food, medicine and other essentials to help those in need.
One year later, Michael released a special 3D film called "Captain EO." The 17-minute film was filled with dancing and provided an intergalactic / fantasy-like story that unknowingly gave fans their first taste of his album Bad. The film featured his song "Another Part of Me," which went on to become the 6th single from the Bad.
"Captain EO" was more than a film for Michael. It went on to become a special ride at Disneyland in September of 1986, in Tomorrowland, giving Michael a perfect gateway to capture his current and potential new fans for his upcoming album.
Despite not releasing a full album since 1982, Michaelmania was well underway, giving him the perfect platform for a new release.
In 1987, Michael released his most recent studio album, following the Off the Wall and Thriller's successful format: Michael behind the microphone. Quincy Jones and him as the album's co-producers.
The album was recorded between Jan. 5 - July 9, 1987, and Michael's first single from the album released on July 20 of that year.
Two days after his 29th birthday, he released Bad in the U.S. on Aug. 31, 1987, off of Epic Records.
Between 1987-1989, Bad, co-produced by Michael and Quincy Jones, featured nine singles: “I Just Can't Stop Loving You” (Feat. Siedah Garrett) - USA-Released July 20, 1987 “Bad” - Released in the USA on Sept. 7, 1987 “The Way You Make Me Feel” - Released in the USA on Nov. 9, 1987 “Man in the Mirror” Released in the USA on Jan. 16, 1988 “Dirty Diana” Released in the USA on April 18, 1988 “Another Part of Me” - Released in the USA on July 11, 1988 “Smooth Criminal” - Released in the USA on Oct. 21, 1988 “Leave Me Alone” - Released in the USA on Feb. 13, 1989 “Liberian Girl” - Released in the USA on July 4, 1989 Bad was more than an album of chart-topping hits. It was an album that signified an era of first for Michael. "Firsts," including his first solo world tour. |
It was also a time that featured two largely-successful VHS releases:
Moonwalker: Released in the USA on Oct. 29, 1988; (Eight days after the single "Smooth Criminal" released)
Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues: Released in the USA on May 10, 1989
Moonwalker was centered around his groundbreaking short film to "Smooth Criminal." The video also included a retrospective of his career up to that point in time, and a storyline of his song "Speed Demon."
Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues is full retrospective of his career up to that point, featuring memories of the early beginnings in Gary, Indiana, key performances, firsthand stories from many - including Marlon Jackson, and ends with a live performance of "This Place Hotel" while on the Bad Tour.
Michael ended his final Bad tour date in California at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Jan. 27, 1989. He was officially more than the one of the most popular artists worldwide, (if not the most popular). Michael Jackson was a cultural phenomenon.
Moonwalker: Released in the USA on Oct. 29, 1988; (Eight days after the single "Smooth Criminal" released)
Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues: Released in the USA on May 10, 1989
Moonwalker was centered around his groundbreaking short film to "Smooth Criminal." The video also included a retrospective of his career up to that point in time, and a storyline of his song "Speed Demon."
Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues is full retrospective of his career up to that point, featuring memories of the early beginnings in Gary, Indiana, key performances, firsthand stories from many - including Marlon Jackson, and ends with a live performance of "This Place Hotel" while on the Bad Tour.
Michael ended his final Bad tour date in California at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Jan. 27, 1989. He was officially more than the one of the most popular artists worldwide, (if not the most popular). Michael Jackson was a cultural phenomenon.
The essay above is a brief glimpse into Michael Jackson's career, from 1982-1989. It does not cover every detail, but is a glimpse in time.
Written by Christina Chaffin
For a more extensive history on Michael Jackson's career, check out "Michael Jackson: The Maestro" Volume I and Volume II by Chris Cadman.