Having been ratified by the Guinness Book of World Records earlier in the month as the best-selling 
album of all time, Michael Jackson’s sixth studio album, produced by Quincy Jones, reached number one on the US charts on this day in 1983, holding that position for an unprecedented thirty-seven weeks. With conflicted and at times contradictory themes that foreshadow Jackson’s later career, Thriller has a motif of paranoia, addressing feeling preternaturally cursed, possessed and railing against obsessive fandom and the tabloid press and gang violence—and its perception—and features the first instance of moon-walking as well as establishing his signature vocal hiccup. The album’s success afforded Jackson iconic status and an entrรฉe into the mainstream of culture that caused its definition in many respects.
synchronoptica
one year ago: the invention of radar (1935) plus assorted links to revisit
two years ago: more links to enjoy, The Fall of the Damned plus Russian threats against the International Space Station
three years ago: friendly computer demons, more links worth revisiting plus pixelated birds of Japan
four years ago: The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1920)
five years ago: more mass transit upholstery, an ambitious Moon Shot plus the establishment of US National Public Radio (1970)
