Thriller 40 to be released Nov 18th
Forty years after the release of Thriller, the album that catapulted Michael Jackson into the superstardom stratosphere, Sony Music and The Estate of Michael Jackson announce the start of the global campaign to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the King of Pop’s landmark album. As part of the campaign, the Estate of Michael Jackson and Sony Music will host fan events around the world, all free to the public, including immersive experiences, screenings of the Thriller 40 documentary, and other fan parties.
There will be two immersive experiences. The first occurs in Dusseldorf, Germany, November 10-13th, and the second in New York City, November 18-20th. Each will feature specific track-focused experiences, interactive elements, and social and photo opportunities throughout.
Fans in eight other cities around the world will be treated to a private one-time-only screening of the Thriller 40 documentary, which details the making of the biggest-selling album in the world.
In other cities, fans will be invited to special Thriller-themed parties celebrating the release of the new expanded album and will have the opportunity to hear the full double disc album for the first time.
Further details and info on how fans can get tickets for the various fan events can be found via Jackson’s website.
Sony will celebrate the album’s 40th anniversary with the November 18th release of Michael Jackson Thriller 40. The biggest selling album of all time will be expanded for a 2 CD set comprised of Jackson’s original masterpiece with an exciting second disc full of never-released tracks which were intended for the original album. Additionally, 15 additional tracks which have been in limited release previously will be available as part of an expanded digital release.
In the US, Walmart will have an exclusive version with an alternate 40th anniversary cover, while Target will have an exclusive LP version of the original album with a commemorative Thriller 40 vinyl slip mat. Both of these will also be available outside the US from various retailers.
Mastered from the original analog master tapes, Mobile Fidelity will also make available the original Thriller album as a One-Step 180-gram 33RPM LP, pressed at RTI and strictly limited to 40,000 numbered copies as well as a hybrid SACD. An UltraDisc One-Step 180-gram 45RPM 2 LP set will be released at a future date.
Released November 30, 1982, the Thriller phenomenon revolutionized music, video standards, and choreography through Jackson’s innovations for melding sound and visual art, the influence of which is still felt today. The album went on to win a record-setting eight Grammys. With over 100 million copies sold, it is the best-selling album of all time and the first to be certified triple Diamond by the RIAA.
