Music

When was Michael Jackson’s Thriller released?

1982 AD

Michael Jackson released Thriller on 29 November 1982 AD.

Photographic portrait of Michael Jackson taken in 1983
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
On the QuoAnno timeline1B BC — 2026 AD1982 AD

Context

What happened?

Quincy Jones produced the record with Jackson, following their work together on Off the Wall. Seven of its nine tracks were issued as singles, and the videos made for them pushed a young MTV towards playing Black artists in heavy rotation.

Significance

Why it matters

Thriller has sold more than 70 million copies worldwide and won eight Grammy Awards, a record at the time. More than four decades later it is still the best-selling album ever released.

Further reading

Sources

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