Michael Jackson makes history again! Thirty-three years after its release, Jackson’s Thriller album is still making headlines. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Thriller has become the first album in RIAA Gold & Platinum Program history to be certified 30X Multi-Platinum for U.S. sales!
“RIAA has awarded Gold & Platinum records on behalf of the music business for nearly 60 years, but this is the first time an artist has crossed the 30X multi-Platinum plateau,” said Cary Sherman, Chairman & CEO, RIAA. “We are honored to celebrate the unique status of Thriller in Gold & Platinum history. What an exceptional achievement and testament to Thriller’s enduring spot in our hearts and musical history.”
Jackson’s masterpiece, produced by Quincy Jones and Jackson himself, won 8 Grammys — more than any album ever! The album also spent nearly 2.5 years on the Billboard album chart and holds a modern day record of 37 weeks at No. 1.
Worldwide, Thriller went to No. 1 in almost every country in the world, including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Australia, Denmark, Belgium, South Africa, Spain, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada and apartheid South Africa.
“It is crystal clear that Michael Jackson is simply the greatest, and biggest artist of all time,” says LA Reid, Chairman & CEO of Epic Records. “Not only are his charts hits and sales stats staggering, but his pure musicality was other-worldly. Thriller was groundbreaking and electrifying…it was perfection. I am extremely proud that Michael is the heart and soul of Epic Records and he will forever remain the one-and-only King of Pop.”
Now, THAT’s what timeless music looks like!
