How Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Changed The Music Business

• “A night at the movies turns into a nightmare when Michael and his date are attacked by a

hoard of bloody-thirsty zombies - only "Thriller" can save them now”.

• Nearly 27 years after its release, "Thriller" still stands as the best-selling studio album in the United States, which has certified it 28-times platinum. More than 50 million copies have been sold internationally, according to estimates.

• But the album's success can't be measured by sales alone. As Jackson moonwalked his way into music history, "Thriller" set a new benchmark for blockbusters that changed how the music business promoted and marketed superstar releases. It also changed MTV, breaking down the cable network's racial barriers and raising the bar for video quality.

• Along the way, "Thriller" redefined the expectations for blockbuster releases. Starting in 1984, Columbia released seven singles from Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A.," all of which landed in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.

• When Michael Jackson died, "Thriller," zoomed back to the top of the charts,

• The album, which came out in 1982, was the first released around the world at the same time and the first to spawn seven singles from the same project.

• With such groundbreaking videos as "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and, of course, "Thriller," Jackson also changed the face of MTV and videos forever.