After releasing his first solo album "Off the Wall" in 1979, Michael Jackson had one goal: make the best album of all time. He knew he had the skills and the grit to do it, and he would achieve this not-so easy goal in no time. However...he would soon learn there were monsters in his life beyond the dancers in the "Thriller" music video. Michael began to find them while recording the "Thriller" album and would be haunted by them for the rest of his life.

Discussing Michael Jackson means acknowledging his  legacy, image, and controversies. Michael was acused of sexual abuse and child abuse during his lifetime. Sexual abuse and child abuse affects hundreds of lives each year. We have included the following resources for those that are or have been affected by sexual and/or child abuse:

- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673

- RAINN Webiste Resources: https://www.rainn.org/resources
- Child Welfare Information Gateway: How To Report: https://www.childwelfare.gov/how-report-child-abuse-and-neglect/

-Child Welfare Information Gateway: State hotlines and resources to report: https://www.childwelfare.gov/state-child-abuse-and-neglect-reporting-numbers/?rt=795

- Child Abuse Resources: 

https://www.childwelfare.gov/resources/

References

Birch. (Host). (2022). Michael Jackson - Thriller (No. 508) [Audio Podcast Episode]. In 1001 

Album Club. https://open.spotify.com/episode/7edoi4xfWCY5JEzzOxohuW?si=UynHCpkfTDKaamxFRUrFZw

Gbadamassi, F. (2009, June 30). Michael Jackson and his African affairs. Afrik-News. https://www.afrik-news 

.com/article15846.html

Is this scary? (2023, June 2023). Think twice: Michael Jackson [Audio podcast episode]. 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7Hy84Lg8ZbaD3fHOs3DEoh

Jackson, M. (1988). Moonwalk: A memoir. Crown Archetype.

Jackson, M. (2008). Thriller 25 super deluxe edition [Album]. Epic. https://open.spotify.com/album/1C2h7mLntPSeVYciMRTF4a

Michael on high. (2023, August 21). Think twice: Michael Jackson [Audio podcast episode]. 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3lBhzfG5HoDMIu5ze9Q2iU

Rolling Stone. (2021, July 30). The 100 greatest music videos. Retrieved May 3, 2024 from  

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-music-videos-1194411/

Rolling Stone. (2023, December 31). The 500 greatest albums of all time. Retrieved May 3, 2024 from https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time

Rolling Stone. (2024, February 20). The 500 greatest songs of all time. Retrieved May 3, 2024 

from https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-all-time

Thriller (album). (2023, October 20). Wikipedia. Retrieved May 12, 2024, from 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_(album)