






























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.
© BrunoPress
0 / 31 Fotos
The dancing dead - Released on November 30, 1982. In just over a year, 'Thriller' became—and currently remains—the world's best-selling album.
© BrunoPress
1 / 31 Fotos
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.
© Reuters
2 / 31 Fotos
Last but not least - The song 'Thriller' was the seventh and final single released from the album, in January 1984.
© BrunoPress
3 / 31 Fotos
Zombie encounter - However, the 14-minute video showing Jackson in a horror-themed performance premiered earlier than the single, broadcast in November, 1983.
© BrunoPress
4 / 31 Fotos
Dead and alive - One of the most celebrated videos in the history of popular music, 'Thriller' featured American model and actress, Ola Ray.
© BrunoPress
5 / 31 Fotos
Frightening footwork - The video was choreographed by Michael Peters.
© BrunoPress
6 / 31 Fotos
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).
© BrunoPress
7 / 31 Fotos
High production values - Quincy Jones produced the album, continuing his collaboration with the singer after working on 1979's 'Off the Wall.'
© BrunoPress
8 / 31 Fotos
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)
© Wikimedia/Creative Commons
9 / 31 Fotos
Master of suspense - Legendary horror movie actor Vincent Price was brought in by Jones to recite the chilling closing lyrics.
© Getty Images
10 / 31 Fotos
Memorable guitar break - The album featured nine tracks, and several guest musicians. Eddie Van Halen provided the electrifying guitar solo in 'Beat It.'
© BrunoPress
11 / 31 Fotos
Top musicians - The same track had Toto guitarist Steve Lukather playing bass. He also plays in 'The Girl Is Mine' and 'Human Nature.'
© BrunoPress
12 / 31 Fotos
Call for backup - Jackson's sister Janet provides backing vocals on 'P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing).'
© Reuters
13 / 31 Fotos
Family background - Another sister, La Toya Jackson, also sings backing vocals on the same track.
© BrunoPress
14 / 31 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
15 / 31 Fotos
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.
© BrunoPress
16 / 31 Fotos
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.
© BrunoPress
17 / 31 Fotos
Career highpoint - In August 1984 Jackson received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is pictured with his family by his side.
© BrunoPress
18 / 31 Fotos
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.
© BrunoPress
19 / 31 Fotos
Expensive wardrobe - Estimated at between $200,000-400,000, the iconic jacket eventually sold for a staggering $1.8 million.
© BrunoPress
20 / 31 Fotos
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.
© BrunoPress
21 / 31 Fotos
If the glove fits - The crystal sequined glove, which the singer wore in the 'Thriller' video.
© Reuters
22 / 31 Fotos
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.
© Getty Images
23 / 31 Fotos
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.
© Getty Images
24 / 31 Fotos
A thrilling tribute - Dancers perform 'Thriller' during a tribute to Michael Jackson at the September 2009 MTV Video Music Awards in New York.
© Reuters
25 / 31 Fotos
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.'
© Getty Images
26 / 31 Fotos
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.
© Reuters
27 / 31 Fotos
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.
© Getty Images
28 / 31 Fotos
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.
© Reuters
29 / 31 Fotos
The "King of Pop" - Michael Jackson as the world remembers him, dazzling audiences with his high-energy stage performances.
© BrunoPress
30 / 31 Fotos
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.
© BrunoPress
0 / 31 Fotos
The dancing dead - Released on November 30, 1982. In just over a year, 'Thriller' became—and currently remains—the world's best-selling album.
© BrunoPress
1 / 31 Fotos
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.
© Reuters
2 / 31 Fotos
Last but not least - The song 'Thriller' was the seventh and final single released from the album, in January 1984.
© BrunoPress
3 / 31 Fotos
Zombie encounter - However, the 14-minute video showing Jackson in a horror-themed performance premiered earlier than the single, broadcast in November, 1983.
© BrunoPress
4 / 31 Fotos
Dead and alive - One of the most celebrated videos in the history of popular music, 'Thriller' featured American model and actress, Ola Ray.
© BrunoPress
5 / 31 Fotos
Frightening footwork - The video was choreographed by Michael Peters.
© BrunoPress
6 / 31 Fotos
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).
© BrunoPress
7 / 31 Fotos
High production values - Quincy Jones produced the album, continuing his collaboration with the singer after working on 1979's 'Off the Wall.'
© BrunoPress
8 / 31 Fotos
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)
© Wikimedia/Creative Commons
9 / 31 Fotos
Master of suspense - Legendary horror movie actor Vincent Price was brought in by Jones to recite the chilling closing lyrics.
© Getty Images
10 / 31 Fotos
Memorable guitar break - The album featured nine tracks, and several guest musicians. Eddie Van Halen provided the electrifying guitar solo in 'Beat It.'
© BrunoPress
11 / 31 Fotos
Top musicians - The same track had Toto guitarist Steve Lukather playing bass. He also plays in 'The Girl Is Mine' and 'Human Nature.'
© BrunoPress
12 / 31 Fotos
Call for backup - Jackson's sister Janet provides backing vocals on 'P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing).'
© Reuters
13 / 31 Fotos
Family background - Another sister, La Toya Jackson, also sings backing vocals on the same track.
© BrunoPress
14 / 31 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
15 / 31 Fotos
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.
© BrunoPress
16 / 31 Fotos
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.
© BrunoPress
17 / 31 Fotos
Career highpoint - In August 1984 Jackson received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is pictured with his family by his side.
© BrunoPress
18 / 31 Fotos
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.
© BrunoPress
19 / 31 Fotos
Expensive wardrobe - Estimated at between $200,000-400,000, the iconic jacket eventually sold for a staggering $1.8 million.
© BrunoPress
20 / 31 Fotos
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.
© BrunoPress
21 / 31 Fotos
If the glove fits - The crystal sequined glove, which the singer wore in the 'Thriller' video.
© Reuters
22 / 31 Fotos
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.
© Getty Images
23 / 31 Fotos
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.
© Getty Images
24 / 31 Fotos
A thrilling tribute - Dancers perform 'Thriller' during a tribute to Michael Jackson at the September 2009 MTV Video Music Awards in New York.
© Reuters
25 / 31 Fotos
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.'
© Getty Images
26 / 31 Fotos
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.
© Reuters
27 / 31 Fotos
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.
© Getty Images
28 / 31 Fotos
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.
© Reuters
29 / 31 Fotos
The "King of Pop" - Michael Jackson as the world remembers him, dazzling audiences with his high-energy stage performances.
© BrunoPress
30 / 31 Fotos
Nine years without Michael Jackson: learn more about his masterpiece
On June 25, 2009, the world lost Michael Jackson. We honor him, remembering his biggest success
© Bruno Press
'Thriller,' the world's best-selling album, won a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards including Album of the Year, and it produced seven top ten singles. But it's for that video – Michael Jackson dancing with the living dead – that the album is especially remembered for, a 14-minute hair-raising horror musical that mesmerized audiences with its zombie ensemble and frighteningly brilliant choreography.
Browse the gallery if you dare for a ghoulish look back at the facts behind the making of this astonishing album and groundbreaking video.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU




































MOST READ
- Last Hour
- Last Day
- Last Week
-
1
CELEBRITY Relationships
-
2
LIFESTYLE Lies
-
3
CELEBRITY Music
-
4
LIFESTYLE Criminals
Elizabeth Báthory: The "blood countess" who reportedly killed 600 young girls
-
5
LIFESTYLE Afterlife
-
6
HEALTH Well-being
-
7
CELEBRITY Beauty
-
8
MOVIES Hollywood
-
9
-
10
CELEBRITY Funny