Michael Jackson’s ’Thriller’ hits 30M sales in US

Six years after his death, Michael Jackson’s Thriller has become the first album to be certified for selling over 30 million units in the United States.

The record, released in 1982, is also the best selling album globally, with sales of over 100 million, topping over Led Zeppelin IV, The Eagles’ Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 and Shania Twain’s Come On Over.

In America, The Eagles hit set has been certified for sales of 29 million. Only 9 albums have sold over 20 million in the US: aside from the Zeppelin and Twain releases, others were by Billy Joel, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Garth Brooks and Fleetwood Mac.

In Australia, Thriller has shifted over 1.1 million and is ranked fifth best selling album of all time.

Co-produced with Quincy Jones, Thriller includes some of Jackson’s best known hits, including Beat It, Billie Jean, Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ and the title track, which inspired one of the most creatively and culturally ground breaking music videos of all time.

Released on November 30 1982, Thriller spent nearly 2 ½ years on the Billboard chart. It stayed at #1 for 37 weeks and was the first album ever to spend its first 80 weeks in the op 10. It went on to win 8 Grammys.

Cary Sherman, Chairman and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) said, “RIAA has awarded Gold & Platinum records on behalf of the music business for nearly 60 years, but this is the first time an artist has crossed the 30X multi-Platinum plateau.

“We are honored to celebrate the unique status of Thriller in Gold & Platinum history. What an exceptional achievement and testament to Thriller’s enduring spot in our hearts and musical history.”

John Branca, co-executor of Jackson’s estate was more forthright: “Thriller continues to be the yardstick against which all other albums are measured.”

He added that Jackson had written Thriller to appeal to a broad global audience.

“He didn’t want to sell records to blacks or whites or Americans. He wanted to sell records to everyone, Africa, Asia, everywhere. It’s just continued to sell and sell and sell.”

Michael Jackson, who was 50 when he died, has now sold a total of 1 billion records worldwide which makes him the best selling artist of all time.

“It is crystal clear that Michael Jackson is simply the greatest and biggest artist of all time,” Epic Records Chairman and CEO LA Reid. “Not only are his charts hits and sales stats staggering, but his pure musicality was other-worldly.

“Thriller was groundbreaking and electrifying…it was perfection. I am extremely proud that Michael is the heart and soul of Epic Records and he will forever remain the one-and-only King of Pop.”

The next Jackson-themed project could be a film about Bubbles, Jackson’s pet chimpanzee. The script looks at the singer’s tumultuous life through the pet. The singer and he were apparently inseparable, and the chimp was given first class travel and accommodation when Jackson went on tour.

But once Bubbles attained puberty, he became too violent and was sent packing. He’s still alive and in captivity.