The Multi Generational Impact of Thriller
By: Amari Jackson
January 25, 2022It’s the evening of May 16th, 1983. People as young as toddlers to as old as seniors, are glued to their screen as Micheal Jackson performs his hit-record “Billie Jean”. He then breaks out the dance called the “moonwalk” popularizing a dance that would remain iconic forever. This is just a microcosm of the impact Micheal Jackson’s Thriller album had on music artists, fans, and the music industry in general.
Thriller came out in 1982, Micheal Jackson at this point in his career had significant commercial success with the productions of numerous albums he worked on while being a child with the Jackson 5 such as “ABC” and “Going Back to Indiana” and many more. In 1979, he recently just started to become fully committed to his solo career with the release of Off the Wall. Off the wall was highly loved by fans but he was disappointed by its lack of Grammy Awards success.
“Off the Wall was well received by my fans and I think that’s why the Grammy nominations hurt. Jackson said. That experience lit a fire in my soul. All I could think of was the next album and what I would do with it. I wanted it to be truly great.” (Michael Jackson Official Site, 2020)
With the release of Thriller, there was an immediate level of musical success, within its first 15 months, it sold a record breaking 22 million copies in just America and won a record breaking 8 grammys. It became a global sensation with Iconic tracks such as “Billie Jean”, “Beat it’ and the album titled song “Thriller” . It was unique in how it did not have a totally R&B sound but also was not fully pop either. It embodied it’s own sense of genre and flavor and was accessible to people from all backgrounds. It broke racial barriers in music as well in how Micheal Jackson became the first African American Artist to be featured on the iconic television station that was MTV. This allowed for other black artists to have the opportunity to get the same level of exposure as their white counterparts. This impact became discussed in many critically acclaimed sources.
“[Thriller] was as hopeful a sign we have had yet that the destructive barriers that spring up regularly between white and black music and between whites and blacks in this culture may be breached” John Rockwell from the New York Times said.(Rockwell, 1982)
Micheal Jackson has also inspired many musical artists from across generations. Especially Beyonce Knowles, who has had quite the successful career herself with 28 Grammy wins. She has become a trailblazer for female artists in music. She took the time to discuss Micheal’s impact on her own career.
“If it wasn’t for Micheal Jackson”, Knowles said, “I would have never performed”(Fandom)
Additionally he positively influenced artists such as his sister Janet Jackson. Janet Jackson has sold 100 million records over the course of her career and won 5 Grammys. She discussed her reaction to Thriller’s groundbreaking success.
Additionally he positively influenced artists such as his sister Janet Jackson. Janet Jackson has sold 100 million records over the course of her career and won 5 Grammys. She discussed her reaction to Thriller’s groundbreaking success.
“When Thriller came, I was so envious, it was so incredible” Janet said, “That’s what inspired me to do Control”.(Fandom)
Thriller’s long lasting impact on black artists has even reached up and coming artists today. I sat down with an aspiring artist from Philadelphia, Maria Jackson. Maria has been singing since she was young as 3. Her love for music is beyond a measurable value as she has taught herself multiple instruments such as the piano and the guitar and is also well versed in the playing of the violin. Maria has always emphasized the importance of Micheal and especially Thriller in her musical development.
“Thriller made me believe that anything was possible” Maria said, “He has always been the biggest inspiration.”
Maria emphasizes the importance of having representation in the music industry. As she is a black woman, she often faces much pushback in the field of music and in life overall . But being able to look at a fellow successful black artist has given her the hope that she can accomplish her dreams of becoming a full time musician showing the permanent impact Thriller has left on music.
“Thriller makes me feel proud” Maria said. “As a black woman being inspired by a black man with this wildly successful album, I feel empowered”.
Works Cited
“Beyoncé Knowles.” GRAMMY.com, Recording Academy, 9 Dec. 2021, https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/beyonc%C3%A9-knowles/12474.
“List of Artists Influenced and Inspired by Michael Jackson.” WikiLists, Fandom, https://list.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_artists_influenced_and_inspired_by_Michael_Jackson#cite_note-The_Immortals_-_The_Greatest_Artists_of_All_Time:_35.29_Michael_Jackson-28.
“Michael Jackson Explains His Thoughts on 'off the Wall' and the Grammys.” Michael Jackson Official Site, 5 Feb. 2020, https://www.michaeljackson.com/news/michael-jackson-explains-his-thoughts-on-off-the-wall-and-the-grammys/.
Rockwell, John. “Michael Jackson's Thriller': Superb Job.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 19 Dec. 1982, https://www.nytimes.com/1982/12/19/arts/michael-jackson-s-thriller-superb-job.html.
Vogel, Joe. “Thriller”--Michael Jackson (1982) - Library of Congress. National Library of Congress, 2007, https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/Thriller--FINAL.pdf.
Wilburn, Aly. “The King of Pop: How Michael Jackson Revolutionized the Music Industry.” Medium, Medium, 2 May 2018, https://medium.com/@aly.wilburn/the-king-of-pop-how-michael-jackson-revolutionized-the-music-industry-f90087dd2928.