Nine years without Michael Jackson: learn more about his masterpiece - On June 25, 2009, the world lost Michael Jackson. His masterpiece 'Thriller,' was the world's best-selling album, and is often remembered for its music video, including 14 minutes of Michael Jackson dancing with the living dead.

Browse the gallery if you dare for a ghoulish look back at the facts behind the making of this astonishing album and groundbreaking video.

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The dancing dead - Released on November 30, 1982. In just over a year, 'Thriller' became—and currently remains—the world's best-selling album.

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Global sales - As of June 2017, global sales of the album are estimated at 66 million copies, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

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Last but not least - The song 'Thriller' was the seventh and final single released from the album, in January 1984.

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Zombie encounter - However, the 14-minute video showing Jackson in a horror-themed performance premiered earlier than the single, broadcast in November, 1983.

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Dead and alive - One of the most celebrated videos in the history of popular music, 'Thriller' featured American model and actress, Ola Ray.

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Frightening footwork - The video was choreographed by Michael Peters.

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Critical success - A contemporary critical favorite, the video was directed by John Landis, having impressed Jackson with his previous work on the horror film 'An American Werewolf in London' (1981).

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High production values - Quincy Jones produced the album, continuing his collaboration with the singer after working on 1979's 'Off the Wall.'

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Record sales - 'Thriller' was recorded at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, CA with a production budget of $750,000 (nearly $2 million in 2018 dollars). (Photo: CC by 2.0)

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Master of suspense - Legendary horror movie actor Vincent Price was brought in by Jones to recite the chilling closing lyrics.

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Memorable guitar break - The album featured nine tracks, and several guest musicians. Eddie Van Halen provided the electrifying guitar solo in 'Beat It.'

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Top musicians - The same track had Toto guitarist Steve Lukather playing bass. He also plays in 'The Girl Is Mine' and 'Human Nature.'

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Call for backup - Jackson's sister Janet provides backing vocals on 'P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing).'

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Family background - Another sister, La Toya Jackson, also sings backing vocals on the same track.

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Not so thrilled - 'The Girl Is Mine' was the first single released from the album, a duet with Paul McCartney. Despite the song's success, it received generally mixed reviews from critics who consider it to be the weakest song on the album.

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Out of this world - In 1982, Jackson narrated the audiobook and soundtrack 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.' In 2001, a special edition reissue of 'Thriller' was released, which includes the song 'Someone in the Dark' from the storybook album.

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Victory Tour - The Victory Tour in 1984 saw Michael Jackson and the Jackson family together on stage. Many consider it to be Jackson's 'Thriller' tour, with most of the songs on the set list drawn from the 'Off the Wall' and 'Thriller' albums.

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Career highpoint - In August 1984 Jackson received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is pictured with his family by his side.

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Dressed for the occasion - The singer's legendary red calf jacket that he wore in the 'Thriller' video ended up as a prize lot at "The Music Icons" auction in LA in June, 2011.

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Expensive wardrobe - Estimated at between $200,000-400,000, the iconic jacket eventually sold for a staggering $1.8 million.

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A fang-tastic achievement - An upper mold used to fit Jackson with animal fangs for the 'Thriller' music video. Makeup and design effects were created by Rich Baker, and Jackson went through lengthy makeup sessions to transform himself into a frightening beast for the video.

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If the glove fits - The crystal sequined glove, which the singer wore in the 'Thriller' video.

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Influence and legacy - Singer Chris Brown performs the Michael Jackson hit 'Thriller' on stage during the 2006 World Music Awards at Earls Court in London, UK.

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A curtain comes down - The crew and cast of 'Thriller Live,' a musical featuring the songs of Michael Jackson, hold a press conference at London's Lyric Theatre on June 26, 2009, the day after the singer's death.

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A thrilling tribute - Dancers perform 'Thriller' during a tribute to Michael Jackson at the September 2009 MTV Video Music Awards in New York.

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Remembering the dead - A women dressed as a zombie poses during the Thrill The World 2009 event at Sydney's Luna Park, Australia. The global occasion saw fans from all over the world dancing simultaneously to 'Thriller.'

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A captive audience - Inmates perform a 'Thriller' tribute to Michael Jackson at prison grounds in Cebu City in central Philippines on June 27, 2009, two days after the singer's death.

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Presidential seal of approval - President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama dance to Michael Jackson's song 'Thriller' during a Halloween event in the East Room of the White House in 2016.

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Thrilling audiences again - 'Thriller' director John Landis poses during a photocall for the movie 'Michael Jackson's Thriller 3D' at the 74th Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, September 2017.

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The "King of Pop" - Michael Jackson as the world remembers him, dazzling audiences with his high-energy stage performances.

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