January 22, 1983 - 39 Years Ago Today: Michael Jackson had the Hot Shot Debut at No. 47 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart with his single, "Billie Jean." This self-penned song was Jackson's second single release from his mammoth album, "Thriller," and it became the first No. 1 hit from the album following the No. 2 peak of its leadoff, "The Girl Is Mine," a duet with Paul McCartney. The song is truly Jackson's tour de force and it began a 7-week run at No. 1 on March 5, 1983. The single also enjoyed a 9-week run at No. 1 on the Billboard R&B Chart and was certified Platinum for sales exceeding two million copies. The single earned Jackson Grammys for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Male Vocal. Jackson went on to score 7 Top Tens from the album. He was the first artist to achieve that feat which was tied by Bruce Springsteen with his 1984 album, "Born In The U.S.A." Janet Jackson made it a three-way tie in 1991 when her 1989 album, "Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814," went one step further and delivered 7 Top 5 singles. "Thriller" remains the best-selling album of all time with worldwide sales exceeding and estimated 70 million copies and is the first album to be certified 30X Platinum. To date, it has been certified 34X Platinum. Only the Eagles are ahead with their 1976 compilation "Eagles - Their Greatest Hits: 1971-1975," certified at 38 million. Michael Jackson has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice - in 1997 as a member of the Jackson 5 and 2001 as a solo artist. Please click the following link to view the accompanying video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi_XLOBDo_Y
