Michael Jackson’s sixth album, Thriller, is the first to introduce music videos as short movie clips. His video-movie for “Beat It,” “Thriller,” and “Billy Jean” implemented a new way to promote singles and led to their rapid success. This album is also infamous for breaking down racial barriers during a time of racial tension between blacks and whites.
On this day, January 11th, in 1984, Michael Jackson’s Thriller zombie-danced its way to the top of the charts with over 10 hit singles. The single Thriller, named after the album, spent over 36 weeks at number one on the Billboard album charts.
Thriller ‘s best-selling title was overtaken by the Eagles in 1971, but was reclaimed after Jackson’s death in 2009.