Thriller : The Musical Life of Michael Jackson

by George, Nelson

• ISBN13: 9780306818783
• ISBN10: 0306818787
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-06-08
• Publisher: Perseus Books Group

Summary

Thrillertakes us back to a time in 1982 when Michael Jackson was king of the charts, breaking the color barrier on MTV, heralding the age of video, and becoming the ultimate representation of the crossover dreams of Motown's Berry Gordy, who helped launch Jackson's career with the Jackson 5. In this incisive and revealing examination of the making and meaning ofThriller, Nelson George illuminates the brilliant creative process (and work ethic) of Jackson and producer Quincy Jones, deftly exploring the larger context of the music, life, and seismic impact of Michael Jackson on three generations. All this from a groundbreaking journalist and cultural critic who was there. George questions whether the phenomenon Jackson became is even possible today. He revisits his early writings on the King of Pop and examines not only the stunning success ofThrillerbut also Jackson as an artist, public figure, and racial enigmaincluding the details surrounding his death on June 25, 2009.

Author Biography

Nelson George is the award-winning author of a dozen books, including his memoir, City Kid, and the classic Hip-Hop America. He is also a two-time recipient of the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award. George was born in Brooklyn, where he still lives.

Table of Contents

Startin' Somethin': An Introduction	p. 1
2009	p. 7
Going Back to Gary	p. 15
The Voice	p. 27
Audio/Visual I	p. 41
New York, New York	p. 49
Audio/Visual II	p. 57
Black Hollywood	p. 65
Thriller	p. 75
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"	p. 87
"Baby Be Mine"	p. 95
"The Girl Is Mine"	p. 101
"Thriller"	p. 107
"Beat It"	p. 113
"Billie Jean"	p. 125
"Human Nature"	p. 129
"PYT (Pretty Young Thing)"	p. 133
"Lady in My Life"	p. 139
Covering Thriller	p. 145
The Fire, the Tour	p. 161
The Bad Years	p. 177
The Third and Final Father	p. 187
Searching for Transcendence	p. 205
This Is It	p. 209
Epilogue	p. 215
Acknowledgments	p. 217
Index	p. 219
About the Author	p. 241
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