By Paul Dalgarno

THE 1980s will be revisited this week when two American pop stars from the
decade that style forgot slug it out for the UK number one slot.

In the red corner, it’s Madonna, who a few months ago bounced back from a
critical mauling for her 2003 album American Life with the best
Abba-inspired tune since, well Abba, and in the blue corner, Michael
Jackson, who last year was cleared of child molestation allegations but
showed during the trial that he has what it takes in a long and bloody
fight.

SonyBMG’s Visionary campaign launches tomorrow with Jackson hoping to see
himself back at the top of the UK singles chart. Combining tracks from his
back catalogue with their original videos in the new dual disc format, a
single will be released every Monday for the next 20 weeks. Fifty thousand
numbered singles will be available each week in the UK, beginning with the
1980s smash Thriller and ending with Blood On The Dance Floor on July 3. The
project builds on SonyBMG’s successful Elvis rereleases campaign last year
which saw The King notch up a further three number ones in the UK.

However, industry insiders think Jackson’s chances of hitting the top spot
in the first week could be hampered by pop arch-rival Her Madgesty.

“In the case of Elvis, the first single got to number one because it was
released in January, which is traditionally a time of low record sales, but
they may have left it a little late with Jackson. Next week he’ll have to
compete with some pretty strong releases, particularly Madonna’s new single,
Sorry,” said HMV spokesperson Gennaro Castaldo.

If Madonna pips Jackson to the top spot it will be seen as a bad omen for
the campaign. Thriller - taken from the 1982 album of the same name which
has sold an unparalleled 51 million copies - is seen by many as Jackson’s
title track . Madonna currently boasts 11 UK number ones, most recently with
Hung Up from November of last year. Jackson - with seven UK number ones -
last topped the charts with his 1997 track Blood On The Dance Floor.

Source: The Sunday Herald