Showing posts with label Michael Jackson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Jackson. Show all posts

Monday, August 29, 2022

'Michael Jackson's Thriller 40' double CD includes the original masterpiece + a bonus CD of demos and rarities

Big news as it relates to the best-selling album of all time, Michael Jackson's groundbreaking 'Thriller'...Robert Kinsler


MICHAEL JACKSON’S THRILLER 40 DOUBLE CD INCLUDES THE ORIGINAL MASTERPIECE + A BONUS CD OF DEMOS AND RARITIES; 15 ADDITIONAL TRACKS AVAILABLE  DIGITALLY

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER TODAY

40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THRILLER, THE BIGGEST SELLING ALBUM OF ALL TIME WORLDWIDE, TO INCLUDE POP-UP EVENTS & GLOBAL ACTIVATIONS
 
ALBUM COVER REVEALED:



Los Angeles, CA -  Sony Music and the Estate of Michael Jackson announced today that MICHAEL JACKSON THRILLER 40, a double CD set comprised of Michael’s original masterpiece  and an exciting bonus CD of rarities and demos,  is available for Pre-Order starting today HERE. The titles of the ten bonus tracks will be revealed one at a time, starting after Labor Day with the last track being revealed just before release date, November 18.  Additionally, 15 additional tracks which have been in limited release previously will be available as part of an expanded digital release.   

The release of MICHAEL JACKSON THRILLER 40 celebrates the 40th anniversary of the biggest selling album of all time worldwide. Pop up events and worldwide activations are planned to honor Michael’s epic creation which won a record setting 8 Grammys, smashed musical barriers and changed the frontiers of pop music and music videos forever.  Michael Jackson’s Thriller has spent more than 500 weeks on the Billboard album chart and has sold over 100 million albums since its release on November 30, 1982.    

MORE ABOUT THRILLER: HERE

Friday, September 06, 2019

Sights and Sounds: Toto to release '40 Tours Around The Sun'

It's nice to see TOTO will be the focus of a multi-format release celebrating the music of the enduring band. 



TOTO to release '40 Tours Around The Sun' 

Digital Audio & Video Available September 13
Audio Release As 2-CD OR 3-LP Set On September 20
DVD & Blu-Ray Street At Retail November 15


TOTO has been touring the globe over the course of 2018-2019 in celebration of the band’s 40th Anniversary. Along the way, they performed in front of well over a million fans across Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and even Indonesia. The band’s level of global critical mass reached new heights largely fueled by a rediscovery of favorites from their beloved repertoire. On September 13, Eagle Rock will release TOTO’s 40 Tours Around The Sun via digital audio and digital video. On September 20, the title will be available as a 2-CD or 3-LP set. On November 15, the DVD and Blu-Ray will street at retail.
This live performance was recorded in front of a sold-out crowd exceeding 18,000 fans on March 17, 2018 at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam. TOTO performed a wide range of songs, including hit singles, rarely performed live deep cuts, and two newly recorded tracks which appeared on their new Greatest Hits album (40 Trips Around The Sun).
Toto embarks on the final leg of this extensive global tour in their hometown of Los Angeles at the Wiltern Theatre on September 20. A complete North American itinerary follows below.
In the constantly evolving industry, TOTO continues to enjoy a multi-generational fan base. To date, across the band’s collective repertoire has been streamed over a billion times across all streaming services. As individuals, the band members can be heard on an astonishing 5000 albums that together amass a sales history of a half a billion albums. Amongst these recordings, NARAS applauded the performances with hundreds of Grammy nominations.
With more than 40 years together and literally thousands of credits, including the biggest selling album of all time: Michael Jackson’s Thriller, and accolades to their names, TOTO remains one of the top selling touring and recording acts in the world. They are pop culture, and are one of the few 70’s bands that have endured the changing trends and styles remaining relevant today.
Toto in concert. Photo: Darek Kawka

Toto have confirmed the following appearances:
9/20 Los Angeles, CA -- The Wiltern
9/21 Phoenix, AZ -- Celebrity Theatre
9/22 Las Vegas, NV -- Life Is Beautiful
9/24 Salt Lake City, UT-- Eccles Theatre - Delta Hall
9/25 Denver, CO -- Paramount Theatre
9/27 Kansas City, MO -- Uptown Theater
9/28 Des Moines, IA -- Hoyt Sherman Place
9/29 Madison, WI -- Orpheum Theater
10/01 Minneapolis, MN -- State Theatre
10/02 Peoria, IL -- Peoria Civic Center Theatre
10/04 Chicago, IL -- The Chicago Theatre
10/05 Mt. Pleasant, MI -- Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort
10/06 Tiffin, OH -- Ritz Theatre
10/08 Nashville, TN -- Ryman Auditorium
10/09 Birmingham, AL -- Alabama Theatre
10/10 Atlanta, GA -- Atlanta Symphony Hall
10/12 Wabash, IN -- Honeywell Center
10/13 Northfield, OH -- MGM Northfield Park - Center Stage
10/15 Port Chester, NY -- Capitol Theatre
10/16 Englewood, NJ -- Bergen Performing Arts Center
10/18 Mashantucket, CT -- Foxwoods Resort Casino - Grand Theater
10/19 Red Bank, NJ -- Count Basie Theatre
10/20 Philadelphia, PA -- The Met Philadelphia

TOTO – 40 TOURS AROUND THE SUN TRACK LISTING
Screen Shot 2019-09-05 at 11.55.02 AM

Thursday, April 11, 2019

TOTO to release CD Box Set - 'All In' on May 24, 2019

Very exciting news this morning for fans of TOTO...




The Definitive CD Box Set Features 
11 Remastered Studio Albums, Live In Tokyo 1980 EP &
A Full Album Of Previously Unreleased Material – Old Is New
Los Angeles, CA --- TOTO is pleased to announce the release of their definitive CD box set: All In via Legacy Recordings (a division of Sony Music) on May 24th. In late 2018, a deluxe limited-edition vinyl/CD version of the set was released direct to consumers and quickly sold out (this is now out of print and will not be reprinted).  However, due to demand, a CD only box-set will available from all major retailers worldwide.  
All In features the following TOTO albums on thirteen CD’s:
Toto, HydraTurn BackIVIsolation, FahrenheitThe Seventh OneKingdom Of DesireTambuMindfields, and Toto XX. The set also includes a previously unreleased Live In Tokyo EPfrom their 1980 tour, along with an album titled Old Is New.  
The Old Is New CD features ten tracks, seven which are previously unreleased along with “Spanish Sea,” “Alone,” and “Struck By Lighting”which are featured on the band’s greatest hits collection 40 Trips Around The Sun.  All of the music in the box set was personally remastered by TOTO along with Elliot Scheiner.  

Also included in the box set is a 24-page booklet which includes new essays, and previously unseen photos.  
Toto in concert. Photo: Darek Kawka
TOTO’s Greatest Hits package titled 40 Trips Around The Sun was released in early 2018 and impacted charts all over the world.  The band recently completed another set of tour dates in New Zealand, Australia and Japan.  European shows are already scheduled for this summer along with an upcoming North American tour in the fall (Sept/Oct).  Full details on the North American tour will be announced shortly.  The 40 Trips Around The Sun tour has been the band’s most extensive run in years.
Few ensembles in the history of recorded music have individually or collectively had a larger imprint on pop culture than the members of TOTO.  As individuals, the band members can be heard on an astonishing 5,000 albums that together amass a sales history of a half a billion albums.  Amongst these recordings, NARAS applauded the performances with more than 200 Grammy nominations.  Collectively TOTO has over a billion streams worldwide on all streaming services.
With over 40 years together and literally thousands of credits, including the biggest selling album of all time: Michael Jackson’s Thriller, and accolades to their names, TOTO remains one of the top selling touring and recording acts in the world. They are the benchmark by which many artists base their sound and production, and they continue to transcend the standards set by the entire music community, being simply synonymous with musical credibility.  Their repertoire continues to be current via high profile usage on broadcast television.  They are pop culture, and are one of the few 70’s bands that have endured the changing trends and styles to a career enjoy a multi-generational worldwide fan base.
TOTO – OLD IS NEW TRACK LISTING
  1. Alone
  2. Devil’s Tower
  3. Fearful Heart
  4. Spanish Sea
  5. In A Little While
  6. Chelsea
  7. Chase The Rain
  8. Oh Why
  9. Struck By Lightning
  10. We’ll Keep On Running - What So Not & TOTO (Featuring Skrillex) 
TOTO – 2019 - 40 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN TOUR
6/13    London, UK                  Live at Chelsea
6/15    Cork, IRL                      Live at the Marquee - Cork
6/18    Gavle, SE                    Gasklockorna
6/20    Oslo, NO                      OverOslo
6/21    Langesund, NO            Wrightegaarden
6/22    Sarpsborg, NO             Kulasparken
6/23    Aarhus, DK                  Ceres Arena
6/25    Sopot, PL                     Opera Lesna
6/27    Budapest, HU              Budapest Arena
6/28    Klam Bei Grein, AT      Clam Rock
6/29    Eisenstadt, AT             Lovely Days
6/30    Berlin, DE                    Zitadelle Open Air
7/02    Munich, DE                 Tollwood Festival
7/03    Marostica, IT                Piazza Degli Scacchi
7/04    Rome, IT                     Auditorium Cavea
7/05    Lucca, IT                     Piazza Napoleone
7/07    Albi, FR                       Pause Guitare
7/08    Cognac, FR                Cognac Pubic Garden
7/10    Barcelona, SP             L’Auditori del Forum
7/11    Nimes, FR                   Festival de Nimes
7/14    Gelsenkirchen, DE     Gelnsenkirchen Amphitheater
7/16    Pratteln, CH                Z7 Summer Nights Open Air
7/17    Fussen, DE                Barockgarten
7/18    Salem, DE                 Schloss Open Air
7/20    Pori, FI                      Pori Jazz Festival 

Additional appearances will be announced in the coming months.

Tuesday, January 03, 2017

NAMM 2017 to host performances from Richie Sambora and Orianthi, Bernie Williams, Ronnie Spector and The Ronnettes, more

I am really looking forward to hitting the NAMM Show in Anaheim this month, and I know those of you who are attending the event will be happy with some of the announcements as they related to featured artists set to perform...

Richie Sambora and Orianthi, Bernie Williams, and Ronnie Spector and The Ronnettes to Rock the Grand Plaza Stage at the 2017 NAMM Show January 19-22, 2017
-Acts accompanied by 150 artist performances over four days at the annual show-

Orianthi will perform at the 2017
NAMM Show in Anaheim.
CARLSBAD, Calif. – January 3, 2017 – The 2017 NAMM Show is just around the corner, and with it, top musical acts are scheduled to rock The NAMM Nissan Grand Plaza stage. This year will bring a variety of performances from across the sonic spectrum, with each evening offering performances from rock legends, a pro-athlete and accomplished jazz musician, and an R&B legend, all in the spirit of musical diversity that can be found at The NAMM Show. 

Kicking off the show on Thursday night, January 19 is rock duo RSO: Richie Sambora and Orianthi. Each a respected guitarist in their own right, Sambora and Orianthi will bring their deft fret work and monster screams to the show, marking the duo’s first NAMM performance together. Grammy award-winner Sambora, also known for his passion for philanthropy, will offer up his world-renowned Songwriters Hall of Fame talent, addictive hooks and poetic lyrics. Platinum-selling guitarist Orianthi has enjoyed a career as a touring artist for the likes of Michael Jackson, Alice Cooper and many others, and was named by Elle magazine as one of the top “12 Greatest Female Electric Guitarists.” The pair have spent the past year touring the globe and will perform at The NAMM Show directly following a tour of the UK, Asia and Orianthi’s native Australia. 

On Friday evening, January 20, former center fielder for the New York Yankees, music education advocate and accomplished jazz musician Bernie Williams and his All-Star Band will take the stage to perform in The NAMM Foundation’s Celebration for Music Education. Williams, who enjoyed a 16-year career in Major League Baseball, is a classically-trained guitarist, Latin Grammy®-nominated (2009’s Moving Forward) musician and designated Turnaround Arts artist from the President’s Committee on Arts and Humanities. Williams and band will welcome fellow music and arts supporter, Turnaround Arts artist, singer, songwriter, and “Life is Beautiful” hitmaker, Keb’ Mo’, along with additional surprise performers throughout the evening. The NAMM Foundation’s Celebration for Music Education is designated to celebrate the many donors and supporters of the Foundation’s efforts and to encourage attendees to join in the organization’s efforts.

On Saturday, January 21, The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus celebrates its 20th Anniversary with The John Lennon Imagine Party featuring Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, Ronnie Spector and The Ronettes. As the “Original Bad Girl of Rock & Roll,” Spector is best known for a long string of classic “girl group” rock anthems such as “Baby I Love You,” “Walking in The Rain,” and the international number one smash, “Be My Baby.” The rock icon has charted material in six consecutive decades, and along the way collaborated with everyone from Jimi Hendrix and Bruce Springsteen, to Eddie Money, Joey Ramone and The Beatles. Ronnie and John Lennon first met in London during the Ronettes’ first U.K. tour in January of 1964, and in 1966, the group was personally chosen by The Beatles to open their final tour. From their first meeting forward, Lennon and Ronnie shared a close friendship with Lennon playing and singing on Ronnie's first solo recordings in 1971. The night will celebrate the Lennon Bus’ 20th Anniversary, the connection we share through music, and inspire those in attendance to continue to build a more musical world.


Each act will start at 6 p.m. and be preceded by a variety of performers throughout the day. The previously announced schedule is available here: https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/2017/events/schedule#concerts

The NAMM Show gathers 100,000 members of the music product industry from around the world to preview new products from every category of music making.

Learn more about the NAMM Show at https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/2017 

Friday, September 02, 2016

Legendary TV special MOTOWN 25 coming as a new Retail DVD Collector's Set on September 27, 2016

Fans of Motown have more than it being Friday to celebrate today!

"A soulful spectacular"
-- People Magazine
 
IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST TALKED ABOUT
TV SPECIALS IN HISTORY...
 
THIS FALL, DON'T MISS THE GROUNDBREAKING CONCERT THAT CELEBRATED 25 ICONIC YEARS 
OF MOTOWN RECORDS
 
MOTOWN 25: YESTERDAY· TODAY · FOREVER


Perfect for Gift-Giving, the New 6-Disc Retail Configuration, Includes an Extended Version of the Legendary Concert with New 5.1 Surround Sound, Over 14 Hours of Bonus Features and an Exclusive 48-Page Collector's Book
 
Street Date: September 27, 2016
DVD SRP: $79.95
 
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
 
Michael Jackson performing on 'Motown 25'
When Motown 25: Yesterday · Today · Forever aired on NBC on May 16, 1983, it was an immediate sensation and became one of the most talked about concerts and TV specials ever.  In an era before social media, MOTOWN 25 was a true water-cooler event, marking the first time that music fans saw Michael Jackson do the moonwalk (aka: the six seconds that changed the world), in addition to many other buzzworthy moments -- reunions by the Miracles and the Supremes; the first battle of the bands between The Temptations and Four Tops; and the hottest comedian in the world at the time, Richard Pryor, as host.
 
Taped before a live audience MOTOWN 25 featured virtually every Motown artist from the company's inception, including Jackson moonwalking during "Billie Jean" and performing "I Want You Back" with The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye crooning "What's Going On", Smokey Robinson with "The Tears of a Clown", Stevie Wonder soulfully singing "Uptight (Everything's Alright)", Diana Ross with "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", The Temptations with "My Girl", Four Tops with "Baby I Need Your Loving" and many more!  A seminal event in pop culture history, this concert event would go on to provide the backstory for the Tony®-nominated Broadway play, "Motown: The Musical", as well as set the bar for all future televised concert events.
 
A new-to-retail configuration, MOTOWN 25: YESTERDAY· TODAY · FOREVER includes an extended version of the Motown 25 concert with over 20 additional minutes not seen in the original broadcast, brand-new 5.1 surround sound, over 14 hours of specially-produced bonus features, and an exclusive 48-page collector's booklet packed with information about the show and artists, and never-before-scene photos from the production and essays on Motown performers.
 
BONUS FEATURES
  •  "Signed, Sealed, Delivered - The Making of Motown 25", which tells the behind-the-scenes story of the making of the concert, and offers new insights into the rise of Motown and its roster of influential stars
  • Rare footage of Marvin Gaye ad-libbing at the piano prior to a soulful version of "What's Going On"
  • Stevie Wonder rehearsal footage
  • Nine Featurettes, Including "What's Going On: Marvin Gaye", "Come and Get These Memories: Inside Hitsville" and "Dancin' In The Streets: The History of Motown"
  • A 2-Part Motown 25 Performers Roundtable featuring Smokey Robinson and Duke Fakir (Four Tops), Otis Williams (The Temptations) and Executive Producer Suzanne de Passe, taped at the location of the original concert, the Pasadena Civic Auditorium
  • A "Yesterday · Today · Forever" Production Roundtable with de Passe, Director/Producer Don Mischer and others
  • Over 25 exclusive interviews with performers and crew, including Claudette Robinson (The Miracles), Martha Reeves (Martha & the Vandellas), Smokey Robinson, Nelson George, Gloria Jones, Adam Ant, Buz Kohan (Head Writer), David Goldberg (Executive in Charge of Production), Mickey Stevenson (Former Head of A&R/Songwriter), Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (Songwriters/Producers) and many more. 
PROGRAM INFORMATION
 
Format: DVD (6 Discs)
Running Time: 975 minutes
Genre:  TV/Music/Performance
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: 5.1 Surround Sound

Friday, January 15, 2016

Titles shed light on seminal studios, Taylor Guitars, King of Pop, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and more

Last year saw the release of a slew of noteworthy new books focused on much-loved corners of the music universe, including British recording studios, Southern California-based Taylor Guitars, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and more. Here is an overview of several of the essential titles now available.

 
Title: The Great British Recording Studios (Hal Leonard Books)
Author: Howard Massey
Tell me more: Fans of the Beatles and other bands who comprised the British Invasion won't be the only ones interested in grabbing "The Great British Recording Studios." With a foreword by Sir George Martin's providing a kick-off, Howard Massey's wonderful book provides an in-depth review of the growth of England's recording studio industry following World War II, and looks at specific facilities including Abbey Road (EMI Studios), Decca, IBC and others. There are specifics about equipment used at the various studios and key recordings that were made at each. There are also stories from some of the sessions and a myriad of other points about the British studios that are detailed enough to thrill audiophiles and musicologists, but readable enough for the music fan without the technical background of a studio engineer or record producer. There are a wealth of historical color and black & white photos captured inside the studios too. Information: greatbritishstudios.halleonardbooks.com.

Purchase 'The Great British Recording Studios' here


 
Title: The Taylor Guitar Book (Backbeat Books)
Author: Teja Gerken
Tell me more: Neil Young, Jason Mraz, Damon Albarn, Zac Brown and Dave Matthews are among the countless musicians who play Taylor guitars. Now the story of Taylor Guitars (based in San Diego, CA) is revealed via the wonderful Teja Gerken-penned "The Taylor Guitar Book." Founded in 1974 (long after companies such as Gibson, Fender, Guild, Martin and Rickenbacker had seemingly cornered the market), Taylor has grown to be among the leaders of the industry while attracting the loyalty of guitarists around the globe. This colorfully-illustrated 160-page book will appeal to both casual and hardcore fans of Taylor-made acoustic and electric instruments. Information: backbeatbooks.com.

Get 'The Taylor Guitar Book: 40 Years of Great American Flattops' here


 
Title: Michael Jackson FAQ (Backbeat Books)
Author: Kit O'Toole
Tell me more: Writer Kit O'Toole has taken a straight-forward, but effective path in providing a bigger picture of Michael Jackson's long career, which included the King of Pop's work and influence in the worlds of music, film, dance and pop culture. Looking at a long career spanning his work with the Jackson 5, the Jacksons and groundbreaking solo career, Jackson's work with Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, and even his posthumous successes (notably the 2009 documentary film "This Is It") are also covered by O'Toole in an illustrated book stretching across 464 pages. Information: backbeatbooks.com.

Buy 'Michael Jackson FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the King of Pop' here


 
Title: Billie Holiday: The Musician and the Myth (Viking)
Author: John Szwed
Tell me more: A former professor of music and director of the Center for Jazz Studies at Columbia University, John Szwed proved to be the perfect author to pen the well-researched and involving "Billie Holiday: The Musician and the Myth." Released in paperback in early 2015, the biography sheds light on Holiday's groundbreaking role as jazz singer and early champion in the fight against racism. What emerges is that despite the troubles and challenges Holiday faced in her all-too-brief life (the New York native died at the age of 44 in 1959) was she was an artist of tremendous talent who influenced countless contemporaries and musical descendants. Information: penguinrandomhouse.com.

Buy 'Billie Holiday: The Musician and the Myth' here




Title: Sinatra: The Chairman (Doubleday)
Author: James Kaplan
Tell me more: At 992 pages, the hardcover edition of James Kaplan's "Sinatra: The Chairman" picks up where the author left off with 2010's "Sinatra: The Voice" and fully paints a portrait of the 20th century icon beginning with the day after he picked up his Academy Award in 1954 (for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "From Here to Eternity"). This biography is a ripe with insights into Sinatra's last act ("Ol' Blue Eyes" died in 1998, but would have celebrated his 100th birthday on Dec. 12, 2015) that was filled with incredible highs and lows. It takes a lot to capture one of the last century's most dynamic and significant entertainers, and Kaplan has done that masterfully in "Sinatra: The Chairman." Information: penguinrandomhouse.com.

Purchase 'Sinatra: The Chairman by James Kaplan' here


 
Title: Don't All Thank Me At Once: The Lost Pop Genius of Scott Miller (125 Books)
Author: Brett Milano
Tell me more: In a world filled with under-the-radar musical heroes, few loom larger than Scott Miller. A groundbreaking indie rocker who fronted Game Theory in the '80s and The Loud Family in the '90s. Although Miller's insightful and intelligent style of literate songcraft has drawn comparisons with the celebrated likes of Elvis Costello and Big Star, his lost place is just now being fully realized thanks to several recent (and upcoming) reissues as well as Brett Milano's fantastic appreciation "Don't All Thank Me At Once: The Lost Pop Genius of Scott Miller" released in October 2015. Information: 125records.com.

Buy 'Don't All Thank Me At Once: The Lost Pop Genius of Scott Miller' here

Robert Kinsler

Thursday, January 07, 2016

Michael Jackson's Off the Wall Album and Documentary Out February 26

Very exciting news for fans of the King of Pop!

OFF THE WALL:  MICHAEL JACKSON’S ORIGINAL ALBUM AND THE DOCUMENTARY “MICHAEL JACKSON’S JOURNEY FROM MOTOWN TO OFF THE WALL” SET FOR RELEASE AS A CD/DVD BUNDLE ON FEBRUARY 26, 2016

JACKSON’S OFF THE WALL “INVENTED MODERN POP AS WE KNOW IT”

On February 26, during Black History Month, the Estate of Michael Jackson and Sony Music’s Legacy Recordings will release exclusive CD/DVD and CD/Blu-ray editions of Michael Jackson’s revolutionary 1979 recording, Off The Wall. The package will include the original version of the album bundled with the new documentary Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Walldirected by Spike Lee. The documentary make its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2016, and its broadcast premiere on SHOWTIME® on Friday, February 5 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on-air, on demand and over the Internet. After its first SHOWTIME airing, it will be broadcast in territories around the world.     
 
THE ALBUM – The importance of Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall cannot be overstated. Recorded when he was just 20-years-old, the album heralded Michael’s stunning emancipation as a singular musical force and creative visionary. It smashed the ceiling on record sales for black artists, ushering in an exciting new era of R&B-to-pop crossover airplay, chart, marketing and sales trends not seen before in modern pop music. It’s the record that “invented modern pop as we know it,” wrote Rolling Stone. For fellow black artists of the day, Michael served as an illuminating inspiration.  

To Black America, Off The Wall transcended music and entertainment altogether. The success of the album marked a level of national and international achievement that conjured pride in a culture that as late as the end of the 1970s was still fighting for the kind of social acceptance that Michael’s album received. Because of Off the Wall’s indelible influence, 21st century artists as disparate as Beyoncé, Pharrell, Kendrick Lamar and The Weeknd all have a blueprint they turned to for creating their superstardom.

Written by Michael Jackson, the first single from Off The Wall, “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” was Michael’s first Grammy and first single to hit No. 1 in the U.S. and internationally as a solo artist. With the singles “Rock With You,” “Off the Wall” and “She’s Out of My Life,” Jackson became the first solo artist in history to have four singles from the same album peak inside the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. The album was an enormous commercial success; as of 2014 it is certified eight times platinum in the United States and has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time.

The Music:  “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”; “Rock With You”; “Workin’ Day and Night”; “Get on the Floor”; “Off the Wall”; “Girlfriend”; “She’s Out of My Life”;  “I Can’t Help It”; “ It’s the Falling in Love”; “Burn This Disco Out.”

THE DOCUMENTARY – Produced by Spike Lee, John Branca and John McClain. For Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall, director Spike Lee assembles a wealth of archival footage, including material from Michael’s personal archive, interviews with contemporary talents and family members, and Michael’s own words and image to create this insightful chronicle from the star’s early rise to fame through the release of this seminal album. A look at a chapter of his career that is rarely examined, Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall allows audiences to travel with Michael as he gets his start at Motown, strikes a new path with CBS Records, and forges a relationship with legendary producer Quincy Jones. An illuminated portrait emerges of how an earnest, passionate, hard-working boy would become the “King of Pop.”

Partial list of interviews: Lee Daniels; The Weeknd; Pharrell Williams; Misty Copeland; Kobe Bryant; Mark Ronson; John Legend; Questlove; Katherine Jackson; Joe Jackson; Marlon Jackson; Jackie Jackie; L.A. Reid and more.