When the spring of 1982 opens, in Ronald Reagan’s conservative America, the youngest of the Jackson Five is far from unknown. At 23, he has already largely confirmed his talent as a soloist, thanks in particular to the commercial success of the album Off the Wall, released in 1979. But the frustration of not having been crowned album of the year affects the future king of pop. No question, this time, of missing the first step of the podium, he gives instructions to the musicians, in particular those of the group Toto, who participate in the project. Taking the example of “The Nutcracker” by Tchaikovsky, Michael Jackson wants each track on the album to be a potential hit.
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Its producer, the brilliant Quincy Jones is no less ambitious: “With Thrillerwe are going to save the recording industry”, he declared at the launch of the project, convinced that his colt is the future pop star. Aware that the album must explore different musical styles, the two men surround themselves with talented artists with varied sensibilities. After signing the hits “Rock with You”, “Off the Wall” and “Burn This Disco Out” from the previous album, the hitmaker Rod Temperton is back in the studio. a few goldsmiths named Paul McCartney James Ingram or sound engineer Bruce Swedien.
