Thriller 40th Anniversary

interesting that there was in fact a full dress rehearsal of ‘billie jean’, where Michael went all out. I was always under the impression that he kept it a secret from everyone (though, it was probably just his family). I wonder if any footage exists, and if it was any different to the final performance?
the official social media page is rightfully marking this momentous occasion 👍🏽💜
 
what a coincidence that questlove would echo the comparisons I made in a previous post, between the ‘billie jean’ and dancing machine’ performances, ten years apart from each other
That's super fascinating actually. How MJ seemed to so successfully make a smash hit, get tons of accolades, and then somehow get a round 2 resurgence. How often does that happen?
 
Also, why isn't Motown 25 on the YouTube Channel? Why doesn't the estate endorse it officially?
I’ve been suggesting this in the comments section for years. under this very post on instagram actually. different accounts upload it almost daily (with varying degrees of quality), only for them to be taken down due to copyright. shame really…
 
I’ve been suggesting this in the comments section for years. under this very post on instagram actually. different accounts upload it almost daily (with varying degrees of quality), only for them to be taken down due to copyright. shame really…
There's a really good comprehensive Motown 25 DVD. I own it. They could just post that maybe.
 
Anyway, I just watched Motown 25, the whole thing. It was pretty beautiful. MJ literally changed the world with his show, and the whole audience became a blaze. The hype that emerged every time he appears, you can almost take for granted after a while. It's fascinating in comparison to all others. Even still, there's multiple great moments; Stevie was the consummate performer as always, Smokey was always just way too smooth, and Marvin Gaye just seemed absolutely incandescent. It was a pretty powerful ode to an era of time long since passed and it definitely deserves to be talked about still, even now.
 
surely michael/the estate would own his performance from it. he had more creative control over it than any other artist. to the point where he initially decided against having it televised. he edited and directed it. shouldn’t that count for something?

the entire special has been available on home media since 1983. I actually find the vhs (pal) to be the best quality somehow..
 
Its available on the History on film vol 2 dvd and as an extra on Thriller 25
the entire ‘Motown 25th anniversary’ show was released on vhs 📼 michael’s performance was also included in his ‘making of thriller’ and ‘the legend continues’ releases.
 
I still remember when they released this documentary with the trailer making a big deal out of seeing the Billie Jean rehearsal, then it was like 5 seconds and had someone talking over it
Susan depasse confirmed that there was more rehearsal footage, but it was the estate that blocked them from using it. this is proof that they own michael’s portion of the show. maybe they’ll show it in the upcoming ‘thriller’ documentary?
 
Susan depasse confirmed that there was more rehearsal footage, but it was the estate that blocked them from using it. this is proof that they own michael’s portion of the show. maybe they’ll show it in the upcoming ‘thriller’ documentary?
Knowing Michael and his team, I am sure they negotiated before the show about owning the rights to his performance.

Also, the Estate blocking more rehearsal footage means we'll never get to see it. I don't think he did the moonwalk in the rehearsal anyways, but still...
 
Knowing Michael and his team, I am sure they negotiated before the show about owning the rights to his performance.

Also, the Estate blocking more rehearsal footage means we'll never get to see it. I don't think he did the moonwalk in the rehearsal anyways, but still...
Didn't MJ start experimenting with the moonwalk around 81?
 
Susan depasse confirmed that there was more rehearsal footage, but it was the estate that blocked them from using it. this is proof that they own michael’s portion of the show. maybe they’ll show it in the upcoming ‘thriller’ documentary?
where did she say that ?
 
Knowing Michael and his team, I am sure they negotiated before the show about owning the rights to his performance.

Also, the Estate blocking more rehearsal footage means we'll never get to see it. I don't think he did the moonwalk in the rehearsal anyways, but still...

I wonder if Michael had his own team filming
 
Knowing Michael and his team, I am sure they negotiated before the show about owning the rights to his performance.

Also, the Estate blocking more rehearsal footage means we'll never get to see it. I don't think he did the moonwalk in the rehearsal anyways, but still...
My thing is WTF👏🏾ARE👏🏾THEY👏🏾HIDING? WHY IS IT BLOCKED..... WHY WON'T THEY GIVE US UNRELEASED FOOTAGE LIKE.....WTF BRANCA!! I CAN'T WAIT TIL HE GOES!!!
 
the Billie Jean performance is legendary and there's no denying it but The Jacksons intro performance gets me going a little bit more. Could be because of the live vocals
I get it. Motown 25 is iconic but it's pretty well played. The J5 stuff is rare. That Never Can Say Goodbye is pretty incandescent.

Really, the whole show of Motown 25 is, dare I say, underrated lol. The whole show is basically great from beginning to end, besides maybe Adam Ant.
 
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