The Monroe News, a newspaper in Monroe County, Michigan, USA, is asking: What Thrilled You About ‘Thriller’?

Michael Jackson’s classic album “Thriller” revolutionized the music industry.

Many of the songs featured on the album reached Billboard’s Top 10, and the music videos transformed the industry.

The album celebrated its 25th anniversary in December. The 25th anniversary edition, “Thriller 25,” is being released next month.

Some of the album’s singles include “Beat It,” “Billie Jean” and “P.Y.T.”

What are your memories of the album? How do you think it impacted the music industry, fashion, dance and how music videos were made?

We want to hear your thoughts for a story. Call reporter Michelle Swartz at 240-5784 or e-mail her at mswartz@monroenews.com.

Time to make your voice heard.

Source: The Monroe News, MJFC-USA

To celebrate the release of of the 25th Anniversary Edition of Michael Jackson’s Groundbreaking album Thriller, Yahoo! Music are offering a once in a lifetime opportunity to win two tickets to the 50th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, 10th February 2008.

The Prize includes return flights, three nights in a top hotel and two tickets to the Grammy Awards. However, you must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the United Kingdom to enter into this prize draw.

For your chance to win, Click Here.

Source: Yahoo! Music

Sony BMG Italy, in cooperation with TEAMWORLD and MJFC-ITALY, invites you to the Thriller 25th Anniversary Edition official launch party which will be held at the Piper Club in Rome (Italy) on Saturday, February 9, 2008.

NAVI, the world’s #1 MJ impersonator, will be the special performer of the evening. After entertaining audiences worldwide and mesmerising Michael Jackson himself by dancing several times in his presence, NAVI is now ready to rock Rome and the Italian fans after two years from his last show in our country!

Don’t miss the chance of celebrating Thriller and the innovative genius of Michael Jackson with the most “thrilling” Italian party of the year!

For further details and updates please visit the MJFC-ITALY web site.

Source: MJFC-ITALY

THE KING OF POP FANCLUB
OFFICIAL FANCLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS

RE: NEW WEBSITE FEATURES

To all of Michael Jackson’s fans,

We know it has been a little while since we last made any ‘official’ statements or announcements. This is because the entire King of Pop Team has been working hard behind the scenes; planning and putting into action our plans for 2008!

It is with great pleasure that we can reveal to you the following two, new and exciting features, exclusive to The KING of POP Fanclub!

1/ First off, we have today launched our “King of Pop - Daily News Mailshots.”

As of today, you can now receive all of the latest King of Pop site updates, fanclub developments and of course all the latest Michael Jackson news, direct to your email inbox! No scouring the web, no searching through forums or god forbid, reading the tabloids. You don’t even have to visit our website!

Just check your email …that’s it!

Simply enter your email address into the “King of Pop Mailshots” form on our home page and click ‘subscribe’. Once signed up you will receive all of our latest news in one email, delivered direct to your inbox each day!

2/ “King of Pop: The Launch Party Videos” are finally here!

Next up, we are proud to be able to announce that the eagerly anticipated “Launch Party Videos” will finally be released! We have setup a ‘King of Pop Videos’ section on our home page, and will make available over the coming weeks the performances from some of the entertainers who performed at our sell-out Launch Party event, held last August at London’s Hippodrome venue.

We will send out further announcements revealing the new performances as and when they are released.

There has never been a better time to be a member of the King of Pop Fanclub, and we have lots, lots more ‘stored up our sleeves’ in line for 2008 - To become a member today sign up online here.

We hope that you enjoy the new News service which is now live, and also the new Launch Party videos that will be coming your way very soon!

Until then, keep Michael’ing!

The Webmaster
King of Pop Fanclub
http://www.kingofpop.info

PS: Please direct all enquiries to: webmaster@kingofpop.info

‘The Girl Is Mine 2008′ has entered the Hot Canadian Digital Singles Charts this week as a new entry at #61.

Source: Billboard, MJFC-USA

‘The Girl Is Mine 2008′ featuring Will.I.Am has climbed 34 places to #44 on the UK Singles Chart this week

Source: BBC Radio 1, MJFC-USA

More good charts news: ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ 2008′ featuring Michael Jackson and Akon has entered the US Billboard Pop 100 Airplay Charts this week as a new entry at #47.

Source: Billboard, MJFC-USA

‘Live In Bucharest - The Dangerous Tour’ falls 3 places to #27 on the Top 40 DVD Charts.

Source: ARIA Charts

Michael Jackson received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2008 NRJ Awards.

The awards show took place in Cannes (France) and was aired yesterday on channel TF1.

Michael wasn’t able to attend the awards show in person but he recorded a special message for this occasion:

“Hello to all my friends in France! Though I couldn’t be there in person tonight to accept this prestigious award, I’m so happy to have the chance to send this message to let all my French fans know how much your support has meant throughout the years.

It’s hard to believe that 25 years ago, Quincy Jones and I embarked on an album named “Thriller.” To be able to say that “Thriller” still holds the record as the biggest selling album of all time, is just mind blowing. I have you my fans through out the world to thank for this achievement.

Though this award tonight honours me for my lifetime achievements, there is still much more to come from Michael Jackson. My passion for music has never stopped. And for those who don’t know, I’ve been in the studio recording Thriller 25th Anniversary album, with a lot of surprise guests. It’s my hope that “Thriller” continues to live on for each new generation to discover.

So thank you TF1 and NRJ for this very special award. It means so much to me to be honoured by you. And thank you to my fans. I love you from the bottom of my heart and I hope to see you very soon. I love you. God bless you.”

To view the video message click here.

Source: NRJ Music Awards 2008

According to SoundScan, Michael Jackson sold 648,340 albums and DVDs in the year 2007, with some significant sale increases from 2006. In comparison, Madonna shifted 392,440 units (Including “The Confessions Tour” release), Mariah Carey shifted 353,281 units (Including “The Adventures of Mimi Tour” release), Janet Jackson shifted 123,460 units, and Whitney Houston shifted 96,753 units.

Thriller album sales were up 86% in the year 2007. In addition, Number Ones, The Essential Michael Jackson, Off the Wall, Greatest Hits: HIStory (DVD), and Dangerous saw an increase in sales. Below are the complete figures:

1. Number Ones: 190,885 (+26%)
2. Thriller: 128,935 (+86%)
3. Number Ones (DVD): 79,335 (-34%)
4. The Essential Michael Jackson: 74,670 (+12%)
5. Off the Wall: 43,470 (+38%)
6. Live in Bucharest (DVD): 36,815 (-44.5%)
7. Greatest Hits: HIStory, Vol. 1: 28,330 (-18.5%)
8. Greatest Hits; HIStory (DVD): 15,780 (+6.5%)
9. HIStory on Film - Vol. 2 (DVD): 10,095 (-7%)
10. Bad: 9,765 (-10%)
11. Dangerous: 9,130 (+7.5%)
12. Ultimate Collection: 8,295 (-34%)
13. Invincible: 5,630 (-21%)
14. HIStory: Past, Present and Future: 3,415 (-2.5%)
15. Dangerous - The Short films (DVD): 2,315 (-6%)
16. Blood on the Dance Floor: 1,475 (-5.5%)

Source: SoundScan