Thrill to Jacko’s finest

4:27pm Wednesday 26th March 2008

Those of us old enough to remember Michael Jackson's Thriller album the first time round will recall the international frenzy it caused.

Jackson's sixth solo album was released in the UK in 1983 and became the biggest-selling album of all time, shifting up to 100 million copies worldwide.

This year it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and has been reissued as Thriller 25, celebrating its quarter century.

The album spawned something of a monster - literally - in the shape of Jackson's epic Thriller video. The 14-minute long mini film', directed by John Landis, was the most expensive video of its time, costing $800,000.

It featured Jackson's memorable and much-copied zombie dance, and the transformation of him into both a zombie and a werewolf.

The special effects may seem tame now but at the time it was groundbreaking stuff.

Now, as well as the 25th anniversary reissue, there's a live stage show celebrating the songs of Thriller.

Thriller LIVE is on its first UK tour and rolls into Bradford next week, created by Michael Jackson biographer Adrian Grant.

With choreography by LaVelle Smith Jnr, the show features a spectacular mix of dancing, lights and sound. More than two hours of hit songs include Billie Jean, Thriller and Human Nature, as well as other Michael Jackson and Jackson 5 hits such as I Want You Back, I'll Be There, Can You Feel It, Rock With You, Blame It On the Boogie and Earth Song.

The cast includes dancer Hollie Robertson, who won BBC1's Strictly Dance Fever in 2006 with partner Darrien Wright and went on to appear in West End productions of Footloose and Fame.

So dig out that white glove, adjust that trilby to a jaunty angle, and get practising your moonwalk.

• Thriller Live is at St George's Hall on April 2. For tickets ring (01274) 432000.

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