Market Power

The Story of Thriller and Off the Wall

Like many people, I am sick of the macabre media coverage of Michael Jackson's death.  I am much more interested in the late Jackson's immense talent and the effect he had on the music and dance scene.  In keeping with that theme, here is a WSJ story about the making of his two greatest albums, Off the Wall and Thriller.

MJ, the Blazer

"Jackson Popularized Celebrity Ads."  Not only was he famous for blazing his hair during a shoot for a Pepsi ad, his making that ad blazed trails for other celebrity pitches for popular products.

Michael Jackson was a Heck of a Dancer

"The Dancing:  That Precision, Grace - and a Wicked Groove."  Although I respected it, I was never a fan of his music.  But the dude was the best pop dancer of his time.  Not even MC Hammer could touch him.

Michael Jackson Ticket Refunds

"Ticket refunds on a massive scale."  Now that Michael Jackson is dead, AEG Live has to give refunds to buyers of tickets, 1 million of them, to Jackson's tour that he was preparing for when he died.  According to the article, though, some fans are likely to keep their tickets as souvenirs.