I entered a supermarket In Bursa and immediately noticed that Michael Jackson’s Thriller was playing on the sound system in all its glory. Wow, I thought, it’s been a while since I’ve heard that.
On the ferry back to Istanbul I bought a magazine because the cover headline read “Faith 2.0″ and had features on cross-cultural marriages and a controversial new Turkish film about religion. I noticed after I bought the magazine that it was packaged with its teen magazine counterpart, which had the classic pull-out posters of various pop stars. And who occupied the centerfold?
Michael Jackson.
But not scary Michael Jackson. It was the cover image from his 1982 album.* An album you may have heard of. It was called Thriller .
Yet another weird coincidence approaching slot-car proportions.
(I was also surprised to come across the name of my advisor, Robert Wuthnow, in an article, though it wasn’t in the teen mag and he didn’t have a poster. If there had been a poster, do you think that would’ve gotten special mention in Footnotes ? That’s the kinda public sociology I’m talkin’ about.)
So what’s up with Michael Jackson? I remember that he was still quite popular among youth in Jordan and Egypt, at least 7-8 years ago, but I never thought he was so hot in Turkey. Then again, he seems to be rising again in several markets. As of last week Thriller was #5 on the Irish charts.
*On closer inspection, I don’t think the images are identical. But definitely the same photo shoot.
8 comments ↓
Hi! Best wishes from jamesgibbon.com. Wish I’d registered the .net as well, now
Bro,
It is the 25th anniversary of “Thriller” this year. I know…we can’t possibly be that old…but yes, it has been 25 years.
There is a “remix” album due out this month. Michael Jackson selected artists to re-record some of the thriller tunes; Kanye, Akon, Wil.I.Am are all on this album. Some demo versions of songs, as well as ‘extra bonus material’ are promised on the remix album. There is also a DVD with extra footage from the video “Thriller”.
I have also noticed a surge, if you will, of MJ news due to the 25th anniversary, so possibly this is what you are seeing as well.
btw…the Kanye ‘remix’ version of ‘Wanna be Startin Something’ is actually pretty good. Not so good: the fact that the original version of “The Girl is Mine” will not be included, due to a longstanding dispute with Paul McCartney. Guess Paul is still peeved that MJ bought up the Beatles entire catalog and sold it off to commercial advertisers. The nerve.
Hi, James - Welcome! I’ve actually read your blog on and off for a year or so! Just as long as neither of us are confused with the politician Jim Gibbons.
Ahh, that explains a lot, Laura. I’ll have to look up the Kanye remix.
Your comment about advisors as centerfolds has to be one of the best yet…. although I’m guessing it will be a while before social scientists end up being put up on the walls of teenagers. I don’t even think the kids I work with know what sociology is! But now you’ve given me a goal
Hope you guys are enjoying your time over there, although we still miss you around Wallace
Thanks, areyno.
Maybe I can make a suggestion to the editors of Contexts about the posters…
ha!i love supermarket music in malawi. michael often features, as do: celine, seal, avril, and abba.
OMG!!! I love the idea of a Michael Jackson poster in a magazin he is Totally COOL!!! =D
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