Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking album, Thriller, has been certified 34X multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
With more than 34 million units sold in the U.S. alone, Thriller remains the second best-selling album of all time. The Eagles’ compilation album, Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975), is the top-selling album of all time in the U.S. with 38 million copies sold (as of August 2018).
In addition to Thriller, Jackson has also gained new plaques for his 1987 album, Bad (now 11X multi-platinum), as well as his great hits compilation albums Number Ones (now 5X multi-platinum), The Essential Michael Jackson (now 5X multi-platinum).
Released on November 30, 1982, via Epic Records, Thriller became an instant hit for the King of Pop. The album, co-produced by Quincy Jones, spent over two years on the Billboard Albums chart. It also became the first album in history to rest in the chart’s top 10 in its first 80 weeks on the chart.
Thriller earned Jackson seven Grammys at the 26th ceremony, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year (“Beat It”), Best Male R&B Vocal Performance (“Billie Jean”), Best R&B Song (“Billie Jean”), Best Male Pop Vocal Performance (“Thriller”), Best Male Rock Vocal Performance (“Beat It”) and Producer of the Year (Non-Classical). He won his eighth trophy that night for Best Recording For Children (E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial). He became the first artist to win eight Grammys in one night.
Bad was released on August 31, 1987. It was nominated for six Grammys, including Album of the Year, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance (“Bad”), Best Male Pop Vocal Performance (Bad) and Producer of the Year (Non-Classical). The album ended up winning two awards: Best Engineered Recording (Non-Classical) and Best Music Video (“Leave Me Alone”).
Revisit Michael Jackson’s Thriller album below.
