Jackson Marks Thriller's 25th

Mon., Feb. 11, 2008 6:47 PM PST by Natalie Finn

Michael Jackson can't believe it's been 25 years since Thriller came out, launching him into the stratosphere of pop stardom.

While a lot can happen in a quarter of a century, of course, an anniversary version of his multiplatinum hit machine, digitally remastered and featuring a handful of guest stars, will drop Tuesday.

And in honor of the big 2-5, the typically reclusive artist took time out to thank the fans who have stood by him throughout.

"It's hard to believe that 25 years ago Quincy Jones and I embarked on an album named Thriller," Jackson said in a video message released Monday by record company Sony-BMG.

"To be able to say that Thriller still holds the record as the biggest selling album of all time is just mind-blowing. I have you, my fans throughout the world, to thank for this achievement."

The former gloved one has sold more than 750 million albums worldwide, including more than 100 million copies of Thriller, which spawned the tunes "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin," among others. Seven of the nine tracks were top-10 singles.

And while Jackson's escapades and legal troubles and general weirdness and face masks on his kids and… Anyway, while the man has overshadowed the music for some time now, the 49-year-old icon said his fans haven't heard the last of him.

"There is still much more to come for Michael Jackson," he continued. "My passion for music has never stopped…It's my hope that Thriller continues to live on for each new generation to discover."

A new generation will get to rock with Thriller 25 starting tomorrow.

A massive spin campaign—which, according to a press release, apparently started with the SoBe Life Water Super Bowl commercial featuring Naomi Campbell and a troupe of lizards dancing to "Thriller"—is planned for 2008.

The 21st-century heralding of Thriller will include a 40-part commemorative podcast, a YouTube dance-video contest and, starting Mar. 1, an XM Satellite Radio station devoted entirely to Jackson's music for a month.

Meanwhile, the actual new album features all of the 1982 original's nine songs, plus seven revamped tracks, including "Beat It 2008," featuring Fergie," and Kanye West's "Billie Jean 2008" remix. Will.i.am and Akon also contributed new vocals to the disc.