1975–1981: Move to Epic and 

Off the Wall

From left, back row: Jackie Jackson, Michael Jackson, Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson. Middle row: Randy
Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Rebbie Jackson. Front row: Janet Jackson (1977)

In 1975, the Jackson 5 left Motown. They signed with Epic Records, a subsidiary of CBS
Records,[48] and renamed themselves the Jacksons. Their younger brother Randy joined the band
around this time; Jermaine stayed with Motown and pursued a solo career. [49] The Jacksons
continued to tour internationally, and released six more albums between 1976 and 1984.
Michael, the group's main songwriter during this time, wrote songs such as "Shake Your Body
(Down to the Ground)" (1979), "This Place Hotel" (1980), and "Can You Feel It" (1980).[50]
In 1978, Jackson moved to New York City to star as the Scarecrow in The Wiz, a musical
directed by Sidney Lumet. It costarred Diana Ross, Nipsey Russell, and Ted Ross.[51] The film
was a box-office failure.[52] Its score was arranged by Quincy Jones,[53] who later produced three of
Jackson's solo albums.[54] During his time in New York, Jackson frequented the Studio
54 nightclub, where he heard early hip hop; this influenced his beatboxing on future tracks such
as "Working Day and Night".[55] In 1979, Jackson broke his nose during a dance routine.
A rhinoplasty led to breathing difficulties that later affected his career. He was referred to Steven
Hoefflin, who performed Jackson's subsequent operations. [56]
Jackson's fifth solo album, Off the Wall (1979), established him as a solo performer and helped
him move from the bubblegum pop of his youth to more complex sounds.[42] It produced four top
10 entries in the US: "Off the Wall", "She's Out of My Life", and the chart-topping singles "Don't
Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You".[57] The album reached number three on the
US Billboard 200 and sold over 20 million copies worldwide.[58] In 1980, Jackson won
three American Music Awards for his solo work: Favorite Soul/R&B Album, Favorite Soul/R&B
Male Artist, and Favorite Soul/R&B Single for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". [59][60] He also won
a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for 1979 with "Don't Stop 'Til You Get
Enough".[61] In 1981 Jackson was the American Music Awards winner for Favorite Soul/R&B
Album and Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist.[62] Jackson felt Off the Wall should have made a bigger
impact, and was determined to exceed expectations with his next release. [63] In 1980, he secured
the highest royalty rate in the music industry: 37 percent of wholesale album profit. [64]

1982–1983: Thriller and Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever

The sequined jacket and white glove worn by Jackson at Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. British
Vogue called Jackson "a fashion pioneer [...] who gave new meaning to moonwalking, immortalised
solitary, [and] sparkly gloves".[65]

Jackson recorded with Queen singer Freddie Mercury from 1981 to 1983, recording demos of

"State of Shock", "Victory" and "There Must Be More to Life Than This". The recordings were
intended for an album of duets but, according to Queen's manager Jim Beach, the relationship
soured when Jackson brought a llama into the recording studio,[66] and Jackson was upset by
Mercury's drug use.[67] The songs were released in 2014.[68] Jackson went on to record "State of
Shock" with Mick Jagger for the Jacksons' album Victory (1984).[69] In 1982, Jackson contributed
"Someone in the Dark" to the audiobook for the film  E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Jackson's sixth
album, Thriller, was released in late 1982. It was the best-selling album worldwide in 1983, [70]
[71]
 and became the best-selling album of all time in the US[72] and the best-selling album of all time
worldwide, selling an estimated 66 million copies.[73] It topped the Billboard 200 chart for 37 weeks
and was in the top 10 of the 200 for 80 consecutive weeks. It was the first album to produce
seven Billboard Hot 100 top-10 singles, including "Billie Jean", "Beat It", and "Wanna Be Startin'
Somethin'".[74]
On March 25, 1983, Jackson reunited with his brothers for Motown 25: Yesterday, Today,
Forever, an NBC television special. The show aired on May 16 to an estimated audience of 47
million, and featured the Jacksons and other Motown stars.[75] Jackson's solo performance of
"Billie Jean" earned him his first Emmy Award nomination.[76] Wearing a glove decorated
with rhinestones,[77] he debuted his moonwalk dance, which Jeffrey Daniel had taught him three
years earlier, and it became his signature dance in his repertoire. [78] Jackson had originally turned
down the invitation to the show, believing he had been doing too much television. But at the
request of Motown founder Berry Gordy, he performed in exchange for an opportunity to do a
solo performance.[79] Rolling Stone reporter Mikal Gilmore called the performance "extraordinary".
[42]
 Jackson's performance drew comparisons to Elvis Presley's and the Beatles' appearances
on The Ed Sullivan Show.[80] Anna Kisselgoff of The New York Times praised the perfect timing
and technique involved in the dance.[81] Gordy described being "mesmerized" by the performance.
[82]

At the 26th Annual Grammy Awards, Thriller won eight awards, while Jackson also won an
award for the E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial storybook. Winning eight Grammys in one ceremony is a
record he holds with the band Santana.[61] Jackson and Quincy Jones won the award for Producer
of the Year (Non-Classical). Thriller won Album of the Year (with Jackson as the album's artist
and Jones as its co-producer), and the single won Best Pop Vocal Performance (Male) award for
Jackson. "Beat It" won Record of the Year and Best Rock Vocal Performance (Male). "Billie
Jean" won two Grammy awards: Best R&B Song and Best R&B Vocal Performance (Male), with
Jackson as songwriter and singer respectively.[61] Thriller also won the Grammy for Best
Engineered Recording (Non Classical), acknowledging Bruce Swedien for his work on the album.
[83]
 At the 11th Annual American Music Awards, Jackson won another eight awards and became
the youngest artist to win the Award of Merit.[84] He also won Favorite Male Artist, Favorite
Soul/R&B Artist, and Favorite Pop/Rock Artist. "Beat It" won Favorite Soul/R&B Video, Favorite
Pop/Rock Video and Favorite Pop/Rock Single. The album collectively won Favorite Soul/R&B
Album and Favorite Pop/Rock Album.[84][85]
Jackson had the highest royalty rate in the music industry at that point, with about $2 for every
album sold (equivalent to $5 in 2019), and was making record-breaking profits. Dolls modeled
after Jackson appeared in stores in May 1984 for $12 each. [86] In the same year, The Making of
Michael Jackson's Thriller, a music documentary, won a Grammy for Best Music Video
(Longform).[61] Time described Jackson's influence at that point as "star of records, radio, rock
video. A one-man rescue team for the music business. A songwriter who sets the beat for a
decade. A dancer with the fanciest feet on the street. A singer who cuts across all boundaries of
taste and style and color too."[86] The New York Times wrote "in the world of pop music, there is
Michael Jackson and there is everybody else."[87]

1984–1985: Pepsi, "We Are the World", and business career

In November 1983, Jackson and his brothers partnered with PepsiCo in a $5 million promotional
deal that broke records for a celebrity endorsement (equiv

1975–1981: Move to Epic and Off the Wall

From left, back row: Jackie Jackson, Michael Jackson, Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson. Middle row: Randy
Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Rebbie Jackson. Front row: Janet Jackson (1977)

In 1975, the Jackson 5 left Motown. They signed with Epic Records, a subsidiary of CBS
Records,[48] and renamed themselves the Jacksons. Their younger brother Randy joined the band
around this time; Jermaine stayed with Motown and pursued a solo career. [49] The Jacksons
continued to tour internationally, and released six more albums between 1976 and 1984.
Michael, the group's main songwriter during this time, wrote songs such as "Shake Your Body
(Down to the Ground)" (1979), "This Place Hotel" (1980), and "Can You Feel It" (1980).[50]
In 1978, Jackson moved to New York City to star as the Scarecrow in The Wiz, a musical
directed by Sidney Lumet. It costarred Diana Ross, Nipsey Russell, and Ted Ross.[51] The film
was a box-office failure.[52] Its score was arranged by Quincy Jones,[53] who later produced three of
Jackson's solo albums.[54] During his time in New York, Jackson frequented the Studio
54 nightclub, where he heard early hip hop; this influenced his beatboxing on future tracks such
as "Working Day and Night".[55] In 1979, Jackson broke his nose during a dance routine.
A rhinoplasty led to breathing difficulties that later affected his career. He was referred to Steven
Hoefflin, who performed Jackson's subsequent operations. [56]
Jackson's fifth solo album, Off the Wall (1979), established him as a solo performer and helped
him move from the bubblegum pop of his youth to more complex sounds.[42] It produced four top
10 entries in the US: "Off the Wall", "She's Out of My Life", and the chart-topping singles "Don't
Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You".[57] The album reached number three on the
US Billboard 200 and sold over 20 million copies worldwide.[58] In 1980, Jackson won
three American Music Awards for his solo work: Favorite Soul/R&B Album, Favorite Soul/R&B
Male Artist, and Favorite Soul/R&B Single for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". [59][60] He also won
a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for 1979 with "Don't Stop 'Til You Get
Enough".[61] In 1981 Jackson was the American Music Awards winner for Favorite Soul/R&B
Album and Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist.[62] Jackson felt Off the Wall should have made a bigger
impact, and was determined to exceed expectations with his next release. [63] In 1980, he secured
the highest royalty rate in the music industry: 37 percent of wholesale album profit. [64]

1982–1983: Thriller and Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever

The sequined jacket and white glove worn by Jackson at Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. British
Vogue called Jackson "a fashion pioneer [...] who gave new meaning to moonwalking, immortalised
solitary, [and] sparkly gloves".[65]

Jackson recorded with Queen singer Freddie Mercury from 1981 to 1983, recording demos of

"State of Shock", "Victory" and "There Must Be More to Life Than This". The recordings were
intended for an album of duets but, according to Queen's manager Jim Beach, the relationship
soured when Jackson brought a llama into the recording studio,[66] and Jackson was upset by
Mercury's drug use.[67] The songs were released in 2014.[68] Jackson went on to record "State of
Shock" with Mick Jagger for the Jacksons' album Victory (1984).[69] In 1982, Jackson contributed
"Someone in the Dark" to the audiobook for the film  E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Jackson's sixth
album, Thriller, was released in late 1982. It was the best-selling album worldwide in 1983, [70]
[71]
 and became the best-selling album of all time in the US[72] and the best-selling album of all time
worldwide, selling an estimated 66 million copies.[73] It topped the Billboard 200 chart for 37 weeks
and was in the top 10 of the 200 for 80 consecutive weeks. It was the first album to produce
seven Billboard Hot 100 top-10 singles, including "Billie Jean", "Beat It", and "Wanna Be Startin'
Somethin'".[74]
On March 25, 1983, Jackson reunited with his brothers for Motown 25: Yesterday, Today,
Forever, an NBC television special. The show aired on May 16 to an estimated audience of 47
million, and featured the Jacksons and other Motown stars.[75] Jackson's solo performance of
"Billie Jean" earned him his first Emmy Award nomination.[76] Wearing a glove decorated
with rhinestones,[77] he debuted his moonwalk dance, which Jeffrey Daniel had taught him three
years earlier, and it became his signature dance in his repertoire. [78] Jackson had originally turned
down the invitation to the show, believing he had been doing too much television. But at the
request of Motown founder Berry Gordy, he performed in exchange for an opportunity to do a
solo performance.[79] Rolling Stone reporter Mikal Gilmore called the performance "extraordinary".
[42]
 Jackson's performance drew comparisons to Elvis Presley's and the Beatles' appearances
on The Ed Sullivan Show.[80] Anna Kisselgoff of The New York Times praised the perfect timing
and technique involved in the dance.[81] Gordy described being "mesmerized" by the performance.
[82]

At the 26th Annual Grammy Awards, Thriller won eight awards, while Jackson also won an
award for the E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial storybook. Winning eight Grammys in one ceremony is a
record he holds with the band Santana.[61] Jackson and Quincy Jones won the award for Producer
of the Year (Non-Classical). Thriller won Album of the Year (with Jackson as the album's artist
and Jones as its co-producer), and the single won Best Pop Vocal Performance (Male) award for
Jackson. "Beat It" won Record of the Year and Best Rock Vocal Performance (Male). "Billie
Jean" won two Grammy awards: Best R&B Song and Best R&B Vocal Performance (Male), with
Jackson as songwriter and singer respectively.[61] Thriller also won the Grammy for Best
Engineered Recording (Non Classical), acknowledging Bruce Swedien for his work on the album.
[83]
 At the 11th Annual American Music Awards, Jackson won another eight awards and became
the youngest artist to win the Award of Merit.[84] He also won Favorite Male Artist, Favorite
Soul/R&B Artist, and Favorite Pop/Rock Artist. "Beat It" won Favorite Soul/R&B Video, Favorite
Pop/Rock Video and Favorite Pop/Rock Single. The album collectively won Favorite Soul/R&B
Album and Favorite Pop/Rock Album.[84][85]
Jackson had the highest royalty rate in the music industry at that point, with about $2 for every
album sold (equivalent to $5 in 2019), and was making record-breaking profits. Dolls modeled
after Jackson appeared in stores in May 1984 for $12 each. [86] In the same year, The Making of
Michael Jackson's Thriller, a music documentary, won a Grammy for Best Music Video
(Longform).[61] Time described Jackson's influence at that point as "star of records, radio, rock
video. A one-man rescue team for the music business. A songwriter who sets the beat for a
decade. A dancer with the fanciest feet on the street. A singer who cuts across all boundaries of
taste and style and color too."[86] The New York Times wrote "in the world of pop music, there is
Michael Jackson and there is everybody else."[87]

1984–1985: Pepsi, "We Are the World", and business career

In November 1983, Jackson and his brothers partnered with PepsiCo in a $5 million promotional
deal that broke records for a celebrity endorsement (equiv

1975–1981: Move to Epic and Off the Wall

From left, back row: Jackie Jackson, Michael Jackson, Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson. Middle row: Randy
Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Rebbie Jackson. Front row: Janet Jackson (1977)

In 1975, the Jackson 5 left Motown. They signed with Epic Records, a subsidiary of CBS
Records,[48] and renamed themselves the Jacksons. Their younger brother Randy joined the band
around this time; Jermaine stayed with Motown and pursued a solo career. [49] The Jacksons
continued to tour internationally, and released six more albums between 1976 and 1984.
Michael, the group's main songwriter during this time, wrote songs such as "Shake Your Body
(Down to the Ground)" (1979), "This Place Hotel" (1980), and "Can You Feel It" (1980).[50]
In 1978, Jackson moved to New York City to star as the Scarecrow in The Wiz, a musical
directed by Sidney Lumet. It costarred Diana Ross, Nipsey Russell, and Ted Ross.[51] The film
was a box-office failure.[52] Its score was arranged by Quincy Jones,[53] who later produced three of
Jackson's solo albums.[54] During his time in New York, Jackson frequented the Studio
54 nightclub, where he heard early hip hop; this influenced his beatboxing on future tracks such
as "Working Day and Night".[55] In 1979, Jackson broke his nose during a dance routine.
A rhinoplasty led to breathing difficulties that later affected his career. He was referred to Steven
Hoefflin, who performed Jackson's subsequent operations. [56]
Jackson's fifth solo album, Off the Wall (1979), established him as a solo performer and helped
him move from the bubblegum pop of his youth to more complex sounds.[42] It produced four top
10 entries in the US: "Off the Wall", "She's Out of My Life", and the chart-topping singles "Don't
Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You".[57] The album reached number three on the
US Billboard 200 and sold over 20 million copies worldwide.[58] In 1980, Jackson won
three American Music Awards for his solo work: Favorite Soul/R&B Album, Favorite Soul/R&B
Male Artist, and Favorite Soul/R&B Single for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". [59][60] He also won
a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for 1979 with "Don't Stop 'Til You Get
Enough".[61] In 1981 Jackson was the American Music Awards winner for Favorite Soul/R&B
Album and Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist.[62] Jackson felt Off the Wall should have made a bigger
impact, and was determined to exceed expectations with his next release. [63] In 1980, he secured
the highest royalty rate in the music industry: 37 percent of wholesale album profit. [64]

1982–1983: Thriller and Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever

The sequined jacket and white glove worn by Jackson at Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. British
Vogue called Jackson "a fashion pioneer [...] who gave new meaning to moonwalking, immortalised
solitary, [and] sparkly gloves".[65]

Jackson recorded with Queen singer Freddie Mercury from 1981 to 1983, recording demos of

"State of Shock", "Victory" and "There Must Be More to Life Than This". The recordings were
intended for an album of duets but, according to Queen's manager Jim Beach, the relationship
soured when Jackson brought a llama into the recording studio,[66] and Jackson was upset by
Mercury's drug use.[67] The songs were released in 2014.[68] Jackson went on to record "State of
Shock" with Mick Jagger for the Jacksons' album Victory (1984).[69] In 1982, Jackson contributed
"Someone in the Dark" to the audiobook for the film  E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Jackson's sixth
album, Thriller, was released in late 1982. It was the best-selling album worldwide in 1983, [70]
[71]
 and became the best-selling album of all time in the US[72] and the best-selling album of all time
worldwide, selling an estimated 66 million copies.[73] It topped the Billboard 200 chart for 37 weeks
and was in the top 10 of the 200 for 80 consecutive weeks. It was the first album to produce
seven Billboard Hot 100 top-10 singles, including "Billie Jean", "Beat It", and "Wanna Be Startin'
Somethin'".[74]
On March 25, 1983, Jackson reunited with his brothers for Motown 25: Yesterday, Today,
Forever, an NBC television special. The show aired on May 16 to an estimated audience of 47
million, and featured the Jacksons and other Motown stars.[75] Jackson's solo performance of
"Billie Jean" earned him his first Emmy Award nomination.[76] Wearing a glove decorated
with rhinestones,[77] he debuted his moonwalk dance, which Jeffrey Daniel had taught him three
years earlier, and it became his signature dance in his repertoire. [78] Jackson had originally turned
down the invitation to the show, believing he had been doing too much television. But at the
request of Motown founder Berry Gordy, he performed in exchange for an opportunity to do a
solo performance.[79] Rolling Stone reporter Mikal Gilmore called the performance "extraordinary".
[42]
 Jackson's performance drew comparisons to Elvis Presley's and the Beatles' appearances
on The Ed Sullivan Show.[80] Anna Kisselgoff of The New York Times praised the perfect timing
and technique involved in the dance.[81] Gordy described being "mesmerized" by the performance.
[82]

At the 26th Annual Grammy Awards, Thriller won eight awards, while Jackson also won an
award for the E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial storybook. Winning eight Grammys in one ceremony is a
record he holds with the band Santana.[61] Jackson and Quincy Jones won the award for Producer
of the Year (Non-Classical). Thriller won Album of the Year (with Jackson as the album's artist
and Jones as its co-producer), and the single won Best Pop Vocal Performance (Male) award for
Jackson. "Beat It" won Record of the Year and Best Rock Vocal Performance (Male). "Billie
Jean" won two Grammy awards: Best R&B Song and Best R&B Vocal Performance (Male), with
Jackson as songwriter and singer respectively.[61] Thriller also won the Grammy for Best
Engineered Recording (Non Classical), acknowledging Bruce Swedien for his work on the album.
[83]
 At the 11th Annual American Music Awards, Jackson won another eight awards and became
the youngest artist to win the Award of Merit.[84] He also won Favorite Male Artist, Favorite
Soul/R&B Artist, and Favorite Pop/Rock Artist. "Beat It" won Favorite Soul/R&B Video, Favorite
Pop/Rock Video and Favorite Pop/Rock Single. The album collectively won Favorite Soul/R&B
Album and Favorite Pop/Rock Album.[84][85]
Jackson had the highest royalty rate in the music industry at that point, with about $2 for every
album sold (equivalent to $5 in 2019), and was making record-breaking profits. Dolls modeled
after Jackson appeared in stores in May 1984 for $12 each. [86] In the same year, The Making of
Michael Jackson's Thriller, a music documentary, won a Grammy for Best Music Video
(Longform).[61] Time described Jackson's influence at that point as "star of records, radio, rock
video. A one-man rescue team for the music business. A songwriter who sets the beat for a
decade. A dancer with the fanciest feet on the street. A singer who cuts across all boundaries of
taste and style and color too."[86] The New York Times wrote "in the world of pop music, there is
Michael Jackson and there is everybody else."[87]

1984–1985: Pepsi, "We Are the World", and business career

In November 1983, Jackson and his brothers partnered with PepsiCo in a $5 million promotional
deal that broke records for a celebrity endorsement (equiv

1975–1981: Move to Epic and Off the Wall

From left, back row: Jackie Jackson, Michael Jackson, Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson. Middle row: Randy
Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Rebbie Jackson. Front row: Janet Jackson (1977)

In 1975, the Jackson 5 left Motown. They signed with Epic Records, a subsidiary of CBS
Records,[48] and renamed themselves the Jacksons. Their younger brother Randy joined the band
around this time; Jermaine stayed with Motown and pursued a solo career. [49] The Jacksons
continued to tour internationally, and released six more albums between 1976 and 1984.
Michael, the group's main songwriter during this time, wrote songs such as "Shake Your Body
(Down to the Ground)" (1979), "This Place Hotel" (1980), and "Can You Feel It" (1980).[50]
In 1978, Jackson moved to New York City to star as the Scarecrow in The Wiz, a musical
directed by Sidney Lumet. It costarred Diana Ross, Nipsey Russell, and Ted Ross.[51] The film
was a box-office failure.[52] Its score was arranged by Quincy Jones,[53] who later produced three of
Jackson's solo albums.[54] During his time in New York, Jackson frequented the Studio
54 nightclub, where he heard early hip hop; this influenced his beatboxing on future tracks such
as "Working Day and Night".[55] In 1979, Jackson broke his nose during a dance routine.
A rhinoplasty led to breathing difficulties that later affected his career. He was referred to Steven
Hoefflin, who performed Jackson's subsequent operations. [56]
Jackson's fifth solo album, Off the Wall (1979), established him as a solo performer and helped
him move from the bubblegum pop of his youth to more complex sounds.[42] It produced four top
10 entries in the US: "Off the Wall", "She's Out of My Life", and the chart-topping singles "Don't
Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You".[57] The album reached number three on the
US Billboard 200 and sold over 20 million copies worldwide.[58] In 1980, Jackson won
three American Music Awards for his solo work: Favorite Soul/R&B Album, Favorite Soul/R&B
Male Artist, and Favorite Soul/R&B Single for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". [59][60] He also won
a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for 1979 with "Don't Stop 'Til You Get
Enough".[61] In 1981 Jackson was the American Music Awards winner for Favorite Soul/R&B
Album and Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist.[62] Jackson felt Off the Wall should have made a bigger
impact, and was determined to exceed expectations with his next release. [63] In 1980, he secured
the highest royalty rate in the music industry: 37 percent of wholesale album profit. [64]

1982–1983: Thriller and Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever

The sequined jacket and white glove worn by Jackson at Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. British
Vogue called Jackson "a fashion pioneer [...] who gave new meaning to moonwalking, immortalised
solitary, [and] sparkly gloves".[65]

Jackson recorded with Queen singer Freddie Mercury from 1981 to 1983, recording demos of

"State of Shock", "Victory" and "There Must Be More to Life Than This". The recordings were
intended for an album of duets but, according to Queen's manager Jim Beach, the relationship
soured when Jackson brought a llama into the recording studio,[66] and Jackson was upset by
Mercury's drug use.[67] The songs were released in 2014.[68] Jackson went on to record "State of
Shock" with Mick Jagger for the Jacksons' album Victory (1984).[69] In 1982, Jackson contributed
"Someone in the Dark" to the audiobook for the film  E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Jackson's sixth
album, Thriller, was released in late 1982. It was the best-selling album worldwide in 1983, [70]
[71]
 and became the best-selling album of all time in the US[72] and the best-selling album of all time
worldwide, selling an estimated 66 million copies.[73] It topped the Billboard 200 chart for 37 weeks
and was in the top 10 of the 200 for 80 consecutive weeks. It was the first album to produce
seven Billboard Hot 100 top-10 singles, including "Billie Jean", "Beat It", and "Wanna Be Startin'
Somethin'".[74]
On March 25, 1983, Jackson reunited with his brothers for Motown 25: Yesterday, Today,
Forever, an NBC television special. The show aired on May 16 to an estimated audience of 47
million, and featured the Jacksons and other Motown stars.[75] Jackson's solo performance of
"Billie Jean" earned him his first Emmy Award nomination.[76] Wearing a glove decorated
with rhinestones,[77] he debuted his moonwalk dance, which Jeffrey Daniel had taught him three
years earlier, and it became his signature dance in his repertoire. [78] Jackson had originally turned
down the invitation to the show, believing he had been doing too much television. But at the
request of Motown founder Berry Gordy, he performed in exchange for an opportunity to do a
solo performance.[79] Rolling Stone reporter Mikal Gilmore called the performance "extraordinary".
[42]
 Jackson's performance drew comparisons to Elvis Presley's and the Beatles' appearances
on The Ed Sullivan Show.[80] Anna Kisselgoff of The New York Times praised the perfect timing
and technique involved in the dance.[81] Gordy described being "mesmerized" by the performance.
[82]

At the 26th Annual Grammy Awards, Thriller won eight awards, while Jackson also won an
award for the E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial storybook. Winning eight Grammys in one ceremony is a
record he holds with the band Santana.[61] Jackson and Quincy Jones won the award for Producer
of the Year (Non-Classical). Thriller won Album of the Year (with Jackson as the album's artist
and Jones as its co-producer), and the single won Best Pop Vocal Performance (Male) award for
Jackson. "Beat It" won Record of the Year and Best Rock Vocal Performance (Male). "Billie
Jean" won two Grammy awards: Best R&B Song and Best R&B Vocal Performance (Male), with
Jackson as songwriter and singer respectively.[61] Thriller also won the Grammy for Best
Engineered Recording (Non Classical), acknowledging Bruce Swedien for his work on the album.
[83]
 At the 11th Annual American Music Awards, Jackson won another eight awards and became
the youngest artist to win the Award of Merit.[84] He also won Favorite Male Artist, Favorite
Soul/R&B Artist, and Favorite Pop/Rock Artist. "Beat It" won Favorite Soul/R&B Video, Favorite
Pop/Rock Video and Favorite Pop/Rock Single. The album collectively won Favorite Soul/R&B
Album and Favorite Pop/Rock Album.[84][85]
Jackson had the highest royalty rate in the music industry at that point, with about $2 for every
album sold (equivalent to $5 in 2019), and was making record-breaking profits. Dolls modeled
after Jackson appeared in stores in May 1984 for $12 each. [86] In the same year, The Making of
Michael Jackson's Thriller, a music documentary, won a Grammy for Best Music Video
(Longform).[61] Time described Jackson's influence at that point as "star of records, radio, rock
video. A one-man rescue team for the music business. A songwriter who sets the beat for a
decade. A dancer with the fanciest feet on the street. A singer who cuts across all boundaries of
taste and style and color too."[86] The New York Times wrote "in the world of pop music, there is
Michael Jackson and there is everybody else."[87]

1984–1985: Pepsi, "We Are the World", and business career

In November 1983, Jackson and his brothers partnered with PepsiCo in a $5 million promotional
deal that broke records for a celebrity endorsement (equiv

1975–1981: Move to Epic and Off the Wall

From left, back row: Jackie Jackson, Michael Jackson, Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson. Middle row: Randy
Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Rebbie Jackson. Front row: Janet Jackson (1977)

In 1975, the Jackson 5 left Motown. They signed with Epic Records, a subsidiary of CBS
Records,[48] and renamed themselves the Jacksons. Their younger brother Randy joined the band
around this time; Jermaine stayed with Motown and pursued a solo career. [49] The Jacksons
continued to tour internationally, and released six more albums between 1976 and 1984.
Michael, the group's main songwriter during this time, wrote songs such as "Shake Your Body
(Down to the Ground)" (1979), "This Place Hotel" (1980), and "Can You Feel It" (1980).[50]
In 1978, Jackson moved to New York City to star as the Scarecrow in The Wiz, a musical
directed by Sidney Lumet. It costarred Diana Ross, Nipsey Russell, and Ted Ross.[51] The film
was a box-office failure.[52] Its score was arranged by Quincy Jones,[53] who later produced three of
Jackson's solo albums.[54] During his time in New York, Jackson frequented the Studio
54 nightclub, where he heard early hip hop; this influenced his beatboxing on future tracks such
as "Working Day and Night".[55] In 1979, Jackson broke his nose during a dance routine.
A rhinoplasty led to breathing difficulties that later affected his career. He was referred to Steven
Hoefflin, who performed Jackson's subsequent operations. [56]
Jackson's fifth solo album, Off the Wall (1979), established him as a solo performer and helped
him move from the bubblegum pop of his youth to more complex sounds.[42] It produced four top
10 entries in the US: "Off the Wall", "She's Out of My Life", and the chart-topping singles "Don't
Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You".[57] The album reached number three on the
US Billboard 200 and sold over 20 million copies worldwide.[58] In 1980, Jackson won
three American Music Awards for his solo work: Favorite Soul/R&B Album, Favorite Soul/R&B
Male Artist, and Favorite Soul/R&B Single for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". [59][60] He also won
a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for 1979 with "Don't Stop 'Til You Get
Enough".[61] In 1981 Jackson was the American Music Awards winner for Favorite Soul/R&B
Album and Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist.[62] Jackson felt Off the Wall should have made a bigger
impact, and was determined to exceed expectations with his next release. [63] In 1980, he secured
the highest royalty rate in the music industry: 37 percent of wholesale album profit. [64]

1982–1983: Thriller and Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever

The sequined jacket and white glove worn by Jackson at Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. British
Vogue called Jackson "a fashion pioneer [...] who gave new meaning to moonwalking, immortalised
solitary, [and] sparkly gloves".[65]

Jackson recorded with Queen singer Freddie Mercury from 1981 to 1983, recording demos of

"State of Shock", "Victory" and "There Must Be More to Life Than This". The recordings were
intended for an album of duets but, according to Queen's manager Jim Beach, the relationship
soured when Jackson brought a llama into the recording studio,[66] and Jackson was upset by
Mercury's drug use.[67] The songs were released in 2014.[68] Jackson went on to record "State of
Shock" with Mick Jagger for the Jacksons' album Victory (1984).[69] In 1982, Jackson contributed
"Someone in the Dark" to the audiobook for the film  E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Jackson's sixth
album, Thriller, was released in late 1982. It was the best-selling album worldwide in 1983, [70]
[71]
 and became the best-selling album of all time in the US[72] and the best-selling album of all time
worldwide, selling an estimated 66 million copies.[73] It topped the Billboard 200 chart for 37 weeks
and was in the top 10 of the 200 for 80 consecutive weeks. It was the first album to produce
seven Billboard Hot 100 top-10 singles, including "Billie Jean", "Beat It", and "Wanna Be Startin'
Somethin'".[74]
On March 25, 1983, Jackson reunited with his brothers for Motown 25: Yesterday, Today,
Forever, an NBC television special. The show aired on May 16 to an estimated audience of 47
million, and featured the Jacksons and other Motown stars.[75] Jackson's solo performance of
"Billie Jean" earned him his first Emmy Award nomination.[76] Wearing a glove decorated
with rhinestones,[77] he debuted his moonwalk dance, which Jeffrey Daniel had taught him three
years earlier, and it became his signature dance in his repertoire. [78] Jackson had originally turned
down the invitation to the show, believing he had been doing too much television. But at the
request of Motown founder Berry Gordy, he performed in exchange for an opportunity to do a
solo performance.[79] Rolling Stone reporter Mikal Gilmore called the performance "extraordinary".
[42]
 Jackson's performance drew comparisons to Elvis Presley's and the Beatles' appearances
on The Ed Sullivan Show.[80] Anna Kisselgoff of The New York Times praised the perfect timing
and technique involved in the dance.[81] Gordy described being "mesmerized" by the performance.
[82]

At the 26th Annual Grammy Awards, Thriller won eight awards, while Jackson also won an
award for the E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial storybook. Winning eight Grammys in one ceremony is a
record he holds with the band Santana.[61] Jackson and Quincy Jones won the award for Producer
of the Year (Non-Classical). Thriller won Album of the Year (with Jackson as the album's artist
and Jones as its co-producer), and the single won Best Pop Vocal Performance (Male) award for
Jackson. "Beat It" won Record of the Year and Best Rock Vocal Performance (Male). "Billie
Jean" won two Grammy awards: Best R&B Song and Best R&B Vocal Performance (Male), with
Jackson as songwriter and singer respectively.[61] Thriller also won the Grammy for Best
Engineered Recording (Non Classical), acknowledging Bruce Swedien for his work on the album.
[83]
 At the 11th Annual American Music Awards, Jackson won another eight awards and became
the youngest artist to win the Award of Merit.[84] He also won Favorite Male Artist, Favorite
Soul/R&B Artist, and Favorite Pop/Rock Artist. "Beat It" won Favorite Soul/R&B Video, Favorite
Pop/Rock Video and Favorite Pop/Rock Single. The album collectively won Favorite Soul/R&B
Album and Favorite Pop/Rock Album.[84][85]
Jackson had the highest royalty rate in the music industry at that point, with about $2 for every
album sold (equivalent to $5 in 2019), and was making record-breaking profits. Dolls modeled
after Jackson appeared in stores in May 1984 for $12 each. [86] In the same year, The Making of
Michael Jackson's Thriller, a music documentary, won a Grammy for Best Music Video
(Longform).[61] Time described Jackson's influence at that point as "star of records, radio, rock
video. A one-man rescue team for the music business. A songwriter who sets the beat for a
decade. A dancer with the fanciest feet on the street. A singer who cuts across all boundaries of
taste and style and color too."[86] The New York Times wrote "in the world of pop music, there is
Michael Jackson and there is everybody else."[87]

1984–1985: Pepsi, "We Are the World", and business career

In November 1983, Jackson and his brothers partnered with PepsiCo in a $5 million promotional
deal that broke records for a celebrity endorsement (equiv

1975–1981: Move to Epic and Off the Wall

From left, back row: Jackie Jackson, Michael Jackson, Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson. Middle row: Randy
Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Rebbie Jackson. Front row: Janet Jackson (1977)

In 1975, the Jackson 5 left Motown. They signed with Epic Records, a subsidiary of CBS
Records,[48] and renamed themselves the Jacksons. Their younger brother Randy joined the band
around this time; Jermaine stayed with Motown and pursued a solo career. [49] The Jacksons
continued to tour internationally, and released six more albums between 1976 and 1984.
Michael, the group's main songwriter during this time, wrote songs such as "Shake Your Body
(Down to the Ground)" (1979), "This Place Hotel" (1980), and "Can You Feel It" (1980).[50]
In 1978, Jackson moved to New York City to star as the Scarecrow in The Wiz, a musical
directed by Sidney Lumet. It costarred Diana Ross, Nipsey Russell, and Ted Ross.[51] The film
was a box-office failure.[52] Its score was arranged by Quincy Jones,[53] who later produced three of
Jackson's solo albums.[54] During his time in New York, Jackson frequented the Studio
54 nightclub, where he heard early hip hop; this influenced his beatboxing on future tracks such
as "Working Day and Night".[55] In 1979, Jackson broke his nose during a dance routine.
A rhinoplasty led to breathing difficulties that later affected his career. He was referred to Steven
Hoefflin, who performed Jackson's subsequent operations. [56]
Jackson's fifth solo album, Off the Wall (1979), established him as a solo performer and helped
him move from the bubblegum pop of his youth to more complex sounds.[42] It produced four top
10 entries in the US: "Off the Wall", "She's Out of My Life", and the chart-topping singles "Don't
Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You".[57] The album reached number three on the
US Billboard 200 and sold over 20 million copies worldwide.[58] In 1980, Jackson won
three American Music Awards for his solo work: Favorite Soul/R&B Album, Favorite Soul/R&B
Male Artist, and Favorite Soul/R&B Single for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". [59][60] He also won
a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for 1979 with "Don't Stop 'Til You Get
Enough".[61] In 1981 Jackson was the American Music Awards winner for Favorite Soul/R&B
Album and Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist.[62] Jackson felt Off the Wall should have made a bigger
impact, and was determined to exceed expectations with his next release. [63] In 1980, he secured
the highest royalty rate in the music industry: 37 percent of wholesale album profit. [64]

1982–1983: Thriller and Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever

The sequined jacket and white glove worn by Jackson at Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. British
Vogue called Jackson "a fashion pioneer [...] who gave new meaning to moonwalking, immortalised
solitary, [and] sparkly gloves".[65]

Jackson recorded with Queen singer Freddie Mercury from 1981 to 1983, recording demos of

"State of Shock", "Victory" and "There Must Be More to Life Than This". The recordings were
intended for an album of duets but, according to Queen's manager Jim Beach, the relationship
soured when Jackson brought a llama into the recording studio,[66] and Jackson was upset by
Mercury's drug use.[67] The songs were released in 2014.[68] Jackson went on to record "State of
Shock" with Mick Jagger for the Jacksons' album Victory (1984).[69] In 1982, Jackson contributed
"Someone in the Dark" to the audiobook for the film  E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Jackson's sixth
album, Thriller, was released in late 1982. It was the best-selling album worldwide in 1983, [70]
[71]
 and became the best-selling album of all time in the US[72] and the best-selling album of all time
worldwide, selling an estimated 66 million copies.[73] It topped the Billboard 200 chart for 37 weeks
and was in the top 10 of the 200 for 80 consecutive weeks. It was the first album to produce
seven Billboard Hot 100 top-10 singles, including "Billie Jean", "Beat It", and "Wanna Be Startin'
Somethin'".[74]
On March 25, 1983, Jackson reunited with his brothers for Motown 25: Yesterday, Today,
Forever, an NBC television special. The show aired on May 16 to an estimated audience of 47
million, and featured the Jacksons and other Motown stars.[75] Jackson's solo performance of
"Billie Jean" earned him his first Emmy Award nomination.[76] Wearing a glove decorated
with rhinestones,[77] he debuted his moonwalk dance, which Jeffrey Daniel had taught him three
years earlier, and it became his signature dance in his repertoire. [78] Jackson had originally turned
down the invitation to the show, believing he had been doing too much television. But at the
request of Motown founder Berry Gordy, he performed in exchange for an opportunity to do a
solo performance.[79] Rolling Stone reporter Mikal Gilmore called the performance "extraordinary".
[42]
 Jackson's performance drew comparisons to Elvis Presley's and the Beatles' appearances
on The Ed Sullivan Show.[80] Anna Kisselgoff of The New York Times praised the perfect timing
and technique involved in the dance.[81] Gordy described being "mesmerized" by the performance.
[82]

At the 26th Annual Grammy Awards, Thriller won eight awards, while Jackson also won an
award for the E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial storybook. Winning eight Grammys in one ceremony is a
record he holds with the band Santana.[61] Jackson and Quincy Jones won the award for Producer
of the Year (Non-Classical). Thriller won Album of the Year (with Jackson as the album's artist
and Jones as its co-producer), and the single won Best Pop Vocal Performance (Male) award for
Jackson. "Beat It" won Record of the Year and Best Rock Vocal Performance (Male). "Billie
Jean" won two Grammy awards: Best R&B Song and Best R&B Vocal Performance (Male), with
Jackson as songwriter and singer respectively.[61] Thriller also won the Grammy for Best
Engineered Recording (Non Classical), acknowledging Bruce Swedien for his work on the album.
[83]
 At the 11th Annual American Music Awards, Jackson won another eight awards and became
the youngest artist to win the Award of Merit.[84] He also won Favorite Male Artist, Favorite
Soul/R&B Artist, and Favorite Pop/Rock Artist. "Beat It" won Favorite Soul/R&B Video, Favorite
Pop/Rock Video and Favorite Pop/Rock Single. The album collectively won Favorite Soul/R&B
Album and Favorite Pop/Rock Album.[84][85]
Jackson had the highest royalty rate in the music industry at that point, with about $2 for every
album sold (equivalent to $5 in 2019), and was making record-breaking profits. Dolls modeled
after Jackson appeared in stores in May 1984 for $12 each. [86] In the same year, The Making of
Michael Jackson's Thriller, a music documentary, won a Grammy for Best Music Video
(Longform).[61] Time described Jackson's influence at that point as "star of records, radio, rock
video. A one-man rescue team for the music business. A songwriter who sets the beat for a
decade. A dancer with the fanciest feet on the street. A singer who cuts across all boundaries of
taste and style and color too."[86] The New York Times wrote "in the world of pop music, there is
Michael Jackson and there is everybody else."[87]

1984–1985: Pepsi, "We Are the World", and business career

In November 1983, Jackson and his brothers partnered with PepsiCo in a $5 million promotional
deal that broke records for a celebrity endorsement (equiv

1975–1981: Move to Epic and Off the Wall

From left, back row: Jackie Jackson, Michael Jackson, Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson. Middle row: Randy
Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Rebbie Jackson. Front row: Janet Jackson (1977)

In 1975, the Jackson 5 left Motown. They signed with Epic Records, a subsidiary of CBS
Records,[48] and renamed themselves the Jacksons. Their younger brother Randy joined the band
around this time; Jermaine stayed with Motown and pursued a solo career. [49] The Jacksons
continued to tour internationally, and released six more albums between 1976 and 1984.
Michael, the group's main songwriter during this time, wrote songs such as "Shake Your Body
(Down to the Ground)" (1979), "This Place Hotel" (1980), and "Can You Feel It" (1980).[50]
In 1978, Jackson moved to New York City to star as the Scarecrow in The Wiz, a musical
directed by Sidney Lumet. It costarred Diana Ross, Nipsey Russell, and Ted Ross.[51] The film
was a box-office failure.[52] Its score was arranged by Quincy Jones,[53] who later produced three of
Jackson's solo albums.[54] During his time in New York, Jackson frequented the Studio
54 nightclub, where he heard early hip hop; this influenced his beatboxing on future tracks such
as "Working Day and Night".[55] In 1979, Jackson broke his nose during a dance routine.
A rhinoplasty led to breathing difficulties that later affected his career. He was referred to Steven
Hoefflin, who performed Jackson's subsequent operations. [56]
Jackson's fifth solo album, Off the Wall (1979), established him as a solo performer and helped
him move from the bubblegum pop of his youth to more complex sounds.[42] It produced four top
10 entries in the US: "Off the Wall", "She's Out of My Life", and the chart-topping singles "Don't
Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You".[57] The album reached number three on the
US Billboard 200 and sold over 20 million copies worldwide.[58] In 1980, Jackson won
three American Music Awards for his solo work: Favorite Soul/R&B Album, Favorite Soul/R&B
Male Artist, and Favorite Soul/R&B Single for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". [59][60] He also won
a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for 1979 with "Don't Stop 'Til You Get
Enough".[61] In 1981 Jackson was the American Music Awards winner for Favorite Soul/R&B
Album and Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist.[62] Jackson felt Off the Wall should have made a bigger
impact, and was determined to exceed expectations with his next release. [63] In 1980, he secured
the highest royalty rate in the music industry: 37 percent of wholesale album profit. [64]

1982–1983: Thriller and Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever

The sequined jacket and white glove worn by Jackson at Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. British
Vogue called Jackson "a fashion pioneer [...] who gave new meaning to moonwalking, immortalised
solitary, [and] sparkly gloves".[65]

Jackson recorded with Queen singer Freddie Mercury from 1981 to 1983, recording demos of

"State of Shock", "Victory" and "There Must Be More to Life Than This". The recordings were
intended for an album of duets but, according to Queen's manager Jim Beach, the relationship
soured when Jackson brought a llama into the recording studio,[66] and Jackson was upset by
Mercury's drug use.[67] The songs were released in 2014.[68] Jackson went on to record "State of
Shock" with Mick Jagger for the Jacksons' album Victory (1984).[69] In 1982, Jackson contributed
"Someone in the Dark" to the audiobook for the film  E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Jackson's sixth
album, Thriller, was released in late 1982. It was the best-selling album worldwide in 1983, [70]
[71]
 and became the best-selling album of all time in the US[72] and the best-selling album of all time
worldwide, selling an estimated 66 million copies.[73] It topped the Billboard 200 chart for 37 weeks
and was in the top 10 of the 200 for 80 consecutive weeks. It was the first album to produce
seven Billboard Hot 100 top-10 singles, including "Billie Jean", "Beat It", and "Wanna Be Startin'
Somethin'".[74]
On March 25, 1983, Jackson reunited with his brothers for Motown 25: Yesterday, Today,
Forever, an NBC television special. The show aired on May 16 to an estimated audience of 47
million, and featured the Jacksons and other Motown stars.[75] Jackson's solo performance of
"Billie Jean" earned him his first Emmy Award nomination.[76] Wearing a glove decorated
with rhinestones,[77] he debuted his moonwalk dance, which Jeffrey Daniel had taught him three
years earlier, and it became his signature dance in his repertoire. [78] Jackson had originally turned
down the invitation to the show, believing he had been doing too much television. But at the
request of Motown founder Berry Gordy, he performed in exchange for an opportunity to do a
solo performance.[79] Rolling Stone reporter Mikal Gilmore called the performance "extraordinary".
[42]
 Jackson's performance drew comparisons to Elvis Presley's and the Beatles' appearances
on The Ed Sullivan Show.[80] Anna Kisselgoff of The New York Times praised the perfect timing
and technique involved in the dance.[81] Gordy described being "mesmerized" by the performance.
[82]

At the 26th Annual Grammy Awards, Thriller won eight awards, while Jackson also won an
award for the E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial storybook. Winning eight Grammys in one ceremony is a
record he holds with the band Santana.[61] Jackson and Quincy Jones won the award for Producer
of the Year (Non-Classical). Thriller won Album of the Year (with Jackson as the album's artist
and Jones as its co-producer), and the single won Best Pop Vocal Performance (Male) award for
Jackson. "Beat It" won Record of the Year and Best Rock Vocal Performance (Male). "Billie
Jean" won two Grammy awards: Best R&B Song and Best R&B Vocal Performance (Male), with
Jackson as songwriter and singer respectively.[61] Thriller also won the Grammy for Best
Engineered Recording (Non Classical), acknowledging Bruce Swedien for his work on the album.
[83]
 At the 11th Annual American Music Awards, Jackson won another eight awards and became
the youngest artist to win the Award of Merit.[84] He also won Favorite Male Artist, Favorite
Soul/R&B Artist, and Favorite Pop/Rock Artist. "Beat It" won Favorite Soul/R&B Video, Favorite
Pop/Rock Video and Favorite Pop/Rock Single. The album collectively won Favorite Soul/R&B
Album and Favorite Pop/Rock Album.[84][85]
Jackson had the highest royalty rate in the music industry at that point, with about $2 for every
album sold (equivalent to $5 in 2019), and was making record-breaking profits. Dolls modeled
after Jackson appeared in stores in May 1984 for $12 each. [86] In the same year, The Making of
Michael Jackson's Thriller, a music documentary, won a Grammy for Best Music Video
(Longform).[61] Time described Jackson's influence at that point as "star of records, radio, rock
video. A one-man rescue team for the music business. A songwriter who sets the beat for a
decade. A dancer with the fanciest feet on the street. A singer who cuts across all boundaries of
taste and style and color too."[86] The New York Times wrote "in the world of pop music, there is
Michael Jackson and there is everybody else."[87]

1984–1985: Pepsi, "We Are the World", and business career

In November 1983, Jackson and his brothers partnered with PepsiCo in a $5 million promotional
deal that broke records for a celebrity endorsement (equiv

1975–1981: Move to Epic and Off the Wall

From left, back row: Jackie Jackson, Michael Jackson, Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson. Middle row: Randy
Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Rebbie Jackson. Front row: Janet Jackson (1977)

In 1975, the Jackson 5 left Motown. They signed with Epic Records, a subsidiary of CBS
Records,[48] and renamed themselves the Jacksons. Their younger brother Randy joined the band
around this time; Jermaine stayed with Motown and pursued a solo career. [49] The Jacksons
continued to tour internationally, and released six more albums between 1976 and 1984.
Michael, the group's main songwriter during this time, wrote songs such as "Shake Your Body
(Down to the Ground)" (1979), "This Place Hotel" (1980), and "Can You Feel It" (1980).[50]
In 1978, Jackson moved to New York City to star as the Scarecrow in The Wiz, a musical
directed by Sidney Lumet. It costarred Diana Ross, Nipsey Russell, and Ted Ross.[51] The film
was a box-office failure.[52] Its score was arranged by Quincy Jones,[53] who later produced three of
Jackson's solo albums.[54] During his time in New York, Jackson frequented the Studio
54 nightclub, where he heard early hip hop; this influenced his beatboxing on future tracks such
as "Working Day and Night".[55] In 1979, Jackson broke his nose during a dance routine.
A rhinoplasty led to breathing difficulties that later affected his career. He was referred to Steven
Hoefflin, who performed Jackson's subsequent operations. [56]
Jackson's fifth solo album, Off the Wall (1979), established him as a solo performer and helped
him move from the bubblegum pop of his youth to more complex sounds.[42] It produced four top
10 entries in the US: "Off the Wall", "She's Out of My Life", and the chart-topping singles "Don't
Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You".[57] The album reached number three on the
US Billboard 200 and sold over 20 million copies worldwide.[58] In 1980, Jackson won
three American Music Awards for his solo work: Favorite Soul/R&B Album, Favorite Soul/R&B
Male Artist, and Favorite Soul/R&B Single for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". [59][60] He also won
a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for 1979 with "Don't Stop 'Til You Get
Enough".[61] In 1981 Jackson was the American Music Awards winner for Favorite Soul/R&B
Album and Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist.[62] Jackson felt Off the Wall should have made a bigger
impact, and was determined to exceed expectations with his next release. [63] In 1980, he secured
the highest royalty rate in the music industry: 37 percent of wholesale album profit. [64]

1982–1983: Thriller and Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever

The sequined jacket and white glove worn by Jackson at Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. British
Vogue called Jackson "a fashion pioneer [...] who gave new meaning to moonwalking, immortalised
solitary, [and] sparkly gloves".[65]

Jackson recorded with Queen singer Freddie Mercury from 1981 to 1983, recording demos of

"State of Shock", "Victory" and "There Must Be More to Life Than This". The recordings were
intended for an album of duets but, according to Queen's manager Jim Beach, the relationship
soured when Jackson brought a llama into the recording studio,[66] and Jackson was upset by
Mercury's drug use.[67] The songs were released in 2014.[68] Jackson went on to record "State of
Shock" with Mick Jagger for the Jacksons' album Victory (1984).[69] In 1982, Jackson contributed
"Someone in the Dark" to the audiobook for the film  E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Jackson's sixth
album, Thriller, was released in late 1982. It was the best-selling album worldwide in 1983, [70]
[71]
 and became the best-selling album of all time in the US[72] and the best-selling album of all time
worldwide, selling an estimated 66 million copies.[73] It topped the Billboard 200 chart for 37 weeks
and was in the top 10 of the 200 for 80 consecutive weeks. It was the first album to produce
seven Billboard Hot 100 top-10 singles, including "Billie Jean", "Beat It", and "Wanna Be Startin'
Somethin'".[74]
On March 25, 1983, Jackson reunited with his brothers for Motown 25: Yesterday, Today,
Forever, an NBC television special. The show aired on May 16 to an estimated audience of 47
million, and featured the Jacksons and other Motown stars.[75] Jackson's solo performance of
"Billie Jean" earned him his first Emmy Award nomination.[76] Wearing a glove decorated
with rhinestones,[77] he debuted his moonwalk dance, which Jeffrey Daniel had taught him three
years earlier, and it became his signature dance in his repertoire. [78] Jackson had originally turned
down the invitation to the show, believing he had been doing too much television. But at the
request of Motown founder Berry Gordy, he performed in exchange for an opportunity to do a
solo performance.[79] Rolling Stone reporter Mikal Gilmore called the performance "extraordinary".
[42]
 Jackson's performance drew comparisons to Elvis Presley's and the Beatles' appearances
on The Ed Sullivan Show.[80] Anna Kisselgoff of The New York Times praised the perfect timing
and technique involved in the dance.[81] Gordy described being "mesmerized" by the performance.
[82]

At the 26th Annual Grammy Awards, Thriller won eight awards, while Jackson also won an
award for the E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial storybook. Winning eight Grammys in one ceremony is a
record he holds with the band Santana.[61] Jackson and Quincy Jones won the award for Producer
of the Year (Non-Classical). Thriller won Album of the Year (with Jackson as the album's artist
and Jones as its co-producer), and the single won Best Pop Vocal Performance (Male) award for
Jackson. "Beat It" won Record of the Year and Best Rock Vocal Performance (Male). "Billie
Jean" won two Grammy awards: Best R&B Song and Best R&B Vocal Performance (Male), with
Jackson as songwriter and singer respectively.[61] Thriller also won the Grammy for Best
Engineered Recording (Non Classical), acknowledging Bruce Swedien for his work on the album.
[83]
 At the 11th Annual American Music Awards, Jackson won another eight awards and became
the youngest artist to win the Award of Merit.[84] He also won Favorite Male Artist, Favorite
Soul/R&B Artist, and Favorite Pop/Rock Artist. "Beat It" won Favorite Soul/R&B Video, Favorite
Pop/Rock Video and Favorite Pop/Rock Single. The album collectively won Favorite Soul/R&B
Album and Favorite Pop/Rock Album.[84][85]
Jackson had the highest royalty rate in the music industry at that point, with about $2 for every
album sold (equivalent to $5 in 2019), and was making record-breaking profits. Dolls modeled
after Jackson appeared in stores in May 1984 for $12 each. [86] In the same year, The Making of
Michael Jackson's Thriller, a music documentary, won a Grammy for Best Music Video
(Longform).[61] Time described Jackson's influence at that point as "star of records, radio, rock
video. A one-man rescue team for the music business. A songwriter who sets the beat for a
decade. A dancer with the fanciest feet on the street. A singer who cuts across all boundaries of
taste and style and color too."[86] The New York Times wrote "in the world of pop music, there is
Michael Jackson and there is everybody else."[87]

1984–1985: Pepsi, "We Are the World", and business career

In November 1983, Jackson and his brothers partnered with PepsiCo in a $5 million promotional
deal that broke records for a celebrity endorsement (equiv
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