Thriller's 25th anniversary

25 years later, Jackson's 'Thriller' remains the one to beat

By Steve Jones, USA TODAY

Michael Jackson thrilled the world 25 years ago with Thriller, and he's ready to do it again, this time with help from some friends.

He celebrates the lasting success of his masterpiece with the release today of Thriller 25, an expanded anniversary version of the nine-song original that includes seven bonus tracks. Among them: remakes featuring collaborations with Akon, will.i.am and Fergie, and updated vocals and production by Jackson. Kanye West contributes a remix, Billie Jean 2008.

The set closes with For All Time, a song recorded but not finished during the 1982 Thriller sessions.

Also included is a bonus DVD with the Thriller, Beat It and Billie Jean videos and Jackson's Emmy-nominated performance of Billie Jean from the NBC special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever.

The set comes in three versions: one with original cover art, one with a new "zombie" cover and a deluxe edition with a booklet.

Thriller sold more than 27 million copies in the USA, and Jackson earned a record-setting eight Grammys and 12 nominations in 1984. The album transformed pop music with its groundbreaking videos and an unprecedented seven top 10 singles.

Producer Quincy Jones says he's amazed the songs are still club staples.

"I'm astounded by it," Jones says. "I just went around the world — Cambodia, China, Brazil, Africa — and at (midnight), they're playing Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' or Billie Jean. It blows my mind that a record stands up that long."

The new album is part of a year-long celebration. Legacy Recordings today launches a 40-episode Thrillercast podcast available through iTunes, Zune, RSS and michaeljackson.com, featuring celebrities talking about hearing the original album. Also, XM Satellite Radio will launch a new channel, XM Thriller, dedicated to Jackson's music, which airs in March.