Bottom Of The Barrel

Thriller 25ish

With the release of Thriller 25 today, we begin to reminisce about THE album of the 20th century and probably THE album ever. Although the original album was released on November 30, 1982 so we are about a half year too early, but I digress. Most people know Thriller is the best selling album of all time in the US having sold more than 27 million copies but did you know that it has sold more than 104 million copies worldwide, is one of only three albums to remain in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 for a full year [80 consecutive weeks], first of three albums to have seven Billboard Hot 100 top-ten singles and the only album to date to be the best-seller of two years (1983-1984) in the USA? Damn!

Now for the strangest thing about Thriller - the artists. Sure you have Jackson himself and the legendary Quincy Jones producing but what about the musicians and other vocalist? Starting with big guns you have Eddie Van Halen supplying the ear drenching guitar work on Beat It, Paul McCartney singing along with Jackson on The Girl Is Mine and the ever eerie Vincent Price on the albums title track with his rap/voice over. Let's not forget Jackson's sisters Janet and LaToya adding backing vocals to P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing), which was co-written by James Ingram [who also provided additional keyboards to the track]. And then there were these guys:

Steve Lukather on the Guitar
David Paich playing the piano
Greg Phillinganes adding Synthesizer and Programming
Jeff Porcaro banging the drums

Who are they? Well these guys are 2/3rd's of the band Toto. Yup that Toto, who had a few hits in the mid 80's including Rosanna, Africa, Hold The Line, I'll Supply The Love, I Won't Hold You Back, and I'll Be Over You. When you give Thriller a listen 25 years later, can you hear the Toto coming through? I know I can and will not be able to hear The Girl Is Mine, Human Nature or P.Y.T. without thinking of a girl named Rosanna down in Africa.

posted by TheWino @ 9:25 AM