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For Michael Jackson, the beat went on: after 'Thriller,' hits kept coming

by Jim Farber
DAILY NEWS MUSIC CRITIC

Saturday, June 27th 2009, 4:00 AM

Hershorn/Reuters

Britney Spears presents the Performer of the Millennium award to Michael Jackson at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York, Aug. 29, 2002.

Michael Jackson performs onstage with guitarist Dave Navarro during 'A Night At The Apollo,' a Democratic fund-raiser, in 1999. Corkery/News

Michael Jackson performs onstage with guitarist Dave Navarro during 'A Night At The Apollo,' a Democratic fund-raiser, in 1999.

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Everyone knows there's only one way to go from the top.

But Michael Jackson sustained a fruitful chart life, and varied back story, after the unrepeatable peak of "Thriller."

His 1987 followup, "Bad," streamlined the quirks of his two previous albums to create his most smooth work of pop to date. Songs like "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" and "The Way You Make Me Feel" spurred the album to sales of over 7 million copies, and, perhaps inspired by that, for the first time Jackson began to allow some of the harder parts of his life to show.

In 1988, he released the autobiography "Moonwalk," which talked about some of the pain and abuse he suffered as a child. In some ways, the knowing quality he expressed at such a young age now seemed somewhat less mysterious.

Of course, many of the eccentricities and scandals of Jackson's career began to surface at this point. But they didn't distract fans from his music and art.

Michael also proved himself adaptable to the times by parting with longtime producer Quincy Jones in 1991 to work with new jack swing innovator Teddy Riley on the "Dangerous" album. Like "Bad," it also moved 7 million copies and featured No. 1 hits like "Black and White," another foray by the star into rock 'n' roll.

By this point, Michael became nearly as well known for his philanthropic work as for his music, raising huge sums to fight HIV/AIDS, among other causes. He also visited Africa for the first time and played a Super Bowl half-time show watched by some 135 million Americans.

Michael teamed with sister Janet to record a worldwide smash in "Scream," on his hits album "HIStory," which also
included a second disk of new material. This best-of set reaffirmed Jackson's meaning and worth in the culture.

When all is said and done, that's what will always resonate.



source: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/michael_jackson/2009/06/28/2009-06-28_for_michael_jackson_the_beat_went_on_after_thriller_hits_kept_coming.html

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