Thriller jacket

Last updated

The Thriller jacket at the Grammy Museum Clothing of Michael Jackson (Grammy Museum) July 2022 (3).JPG
The Thriller jacket at the Grammy Museum

The Thriller jacket is the red jacket worn by Michael Jackson in the music video for his 1983 hit "Thriller". Designed by Deborah Nadoolman Landis, the candy-apple-red jacket featured black stripes and raised shoulders forming an inverted triangle. The jacket became the "hottest outerwear fad of the mid-1980s" and was widely emulated. [1] Because counterfeit copies of the jacket could sell at over $500, in 1984 Jackson filed a lawsuit in New York City to prevent unauthorized copies of the jacket and his other merchandise. [2]

Contents

On 27 June 2011, the jacket sold for $1.8 million at Julien's Auctions. [3] The buyer, Milton Verret, described the jacket as "the greatest piece of rock and roll memorabilia in history". [4] [5] The proceeds from the jacket were donated to the Shambala Animal Kingdom, where Jackson's Bengal tigers were housed when he left Neverland Ranch in 2006. [6]

Design

Michael Jackson wearing the Thriller jacket Michael Jackson's Thriller jacket.jpg
Michael Jackson wearing the Thriller jacket

The jacket was designed by Deborah Nadoolman Landis. She had also designed Indiana Jones' jacket in Raiders of the Lost Ark , among other things. [7] [8] [9] The red jacket was noted for its V-shaped black stripes, the unusual style of the front buttons, and the angular, rigid shoulders protruding out over the tops of the arms. [10] [11] Landis stated that she specifically designed the jacket to help Jackson appear more "virile". [12] [13]

Fashion designer Zaldy was responsible for a redesigned version of the jacket for the cancelled This Is It concerts. It had an imitation of blood on its shoulders, and on the inside a stamp resembling the feline beast Jackson turns into in the video. [14]

Reception

The jacket became the "hottest outerwear fad of the mid-1980s" and was widely emulated. It is sometimes emulated by celebrities today such as Chris Brown and Kanye West. [1] [15] It also became one of the most sought after by many people and the epitome of the 1980s teen cool. [16] [17] The jacket he wore in the Thriller video, along with a copy of the black and white leather jacket he wore in one of the Pepsi commercials and in the dance rehearsal portions behinds the scenes of The Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller, are among his best-selling jackets. [18] Expensive counterfeits were mass-produced and often sold for over $500 to people thinking they were getting the real thing. [19] Because of this mass counterfeiting and the profits it earned, in 1984 Jackson filed a lawsuit in New York City to prevent unauthorized copies of the jacket and his other merchandise. [2]

Leaving Neverland

In the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, choreographer Wade Robson, who claims Jackson sexually abused him, burns Jackson memorabilia including a Thriller jacket. Director Dan Reed said that the jacket was genuine, [20] [21] but Robson claimed that it was custom-made for his childhood performances. [22] According to auction house Julien's Auctions, in 2011 Robson sold a jacket from "Thriller" for $49,920. [23] [24] The actual jacket was owned by the Verret family in Austin, Texas, and was added temporarily to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, in May, 2022, under "high security" surveillance. [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackie Jackson</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1951)

Sigmund Esco "Jackie" Jackson is an American singer and songwriter best known as a founding member of the Jackson 5, for which he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Jackson is the second child of the Jackson family, and the oldest Jackson brother.

<i>Thriller</i> (album) 1982 studio album by Michael Jackson

Thriller is the sixth studio album by the American singer and songwriter Michael Jackson, released on November 29, 1982, by Epic Records. It was produced by Quincy Jones, who had previously worked with Jackson on his 1979 album Off the Wall and who would later produce his 1987 album Bad. Jackson wanted to create an album where "every song was a killer". With the ongoing backlash against disco music at the time, he moved in a new musical direction, resulting in a mix of pop, post-disco, rock, funk, synth-pop, and R&B sounds. Thriller foreshadows the contradictory themes of Jackson's personal life, as he began using a motif of paranoia and darker themes. Paul McCartney appears on "The Girl Is Mine", the first credited appearance of a featured artist on a Michael Jackson album. Recording took place from April to November 1982 at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, with a budget of $750,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neverland Ranch</span> Home of Michael Jackson from 1988 to 2005

Sycamore Valley Ranch, formerly Neverland Ranch or Neverland Valley Ranch, is a developed property in Santa Barbara County, California, located at 5225 Figueroa Mountain Road, Los Olivos, California, on the edge of Los Padres National Forest. From 1988 to 2005, it was the home and the private amusement park of the American singer Michael Jackson. The ranch is about 5 miles (8 km) north of unincorporated Los Olivos, and about eight miles (13 km) north of the town of Santa Ynez.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wade Robson</span> Australian dancer and choreographer

Wade Jeremy William Robson is an Australian dancer and choreographer. He began performing as a dancer at age five, and has directed music videos and world tours for pop acts such as NSYNC and Britney Spears. Robson was the host and executive producer of The Wade Robson Project, which aired on MTV in 2003. In 2007, he joined the Fox television dance series So You Think You Can Dance as a guest judge and choreographer. He won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography for the dance number "Ramalama " of So You Think You Can Dance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Landis</span> American filmmaker (born 1950)

John David Landis is an American filmmaker and actor. He is best known for the comedy films that he has directed – such as The Kentucky Fried Movie (1977), National Lampoon's Animal House (1978), The Blues Brothers (1980), An American Werewolf in London (1981), Trading Places (1983), Three Amigos (1986), Coming to America (1988) and Beverly Hills Cop III (1994), and for directing Michael Jackson's music videos for "Thriller" (1983) and "Black or White" (1991).

People v. Jackson was a 2005 criminal trial held in Santa Barbara County Superior Court in Santa Maria, California. The American pop singer Michael Jackson was charged with molesting Gavin Arvizo, who was 13 years old at the time of the alleged abuse, at his Neverland Ranch estate in Los Olivos, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thriller (song)</span> 1983 single by Michael Jackson

"Thriller" is a song by the American singer Michael Jackson. It was released by Epic Records in November 1983 in the UK and on January 23, 1984, in the US, as the seventh and final single from his sixth studio album, Thriller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black or White</span> 1991 single by Michael Jackson

"Black or White" is a song by American singer Michael Jackson, released by Epic Records on November 11, 1991, as the first single from his eighth studio album, Dangerous (1991). Jackson wrote, composed, and produced it with Bill Bottrell. Epic Records described it as "a rock 'n' roll dance song about racial harmony".

<i>Michael Jacksons Thriller</i> (music video) 1983 music video

Michael Jackson's Thriller is the music video for the song "Thriller" by the American singer Michael Jackson, released on December 2, 1983. It was directed by John Landis, written by Jackson and Landis, and stars Jackson and Ola Ray. It references numerous horror films and has Jackson dancing with a horde of zombies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deborah Nadoolman Landis</span> American film costume designer

Deborah Nadoolman Landis is an American costume designer, author, and professor. She has worked on notable films such as Animal House, The Blues Brothers, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Three Amigos, all of which credited her as Deborah Nadoolman. Landis served two terms as president of the Costume Designers Guild of which she has been a member for more than thirty years. She is married to director John Landis; their son is screenwriter Max Landis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taj Jackson</span> American musician and producer

Tariano Adaryll "Taj" Jackson II is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and director. He is an original member of 3T along with his brothers; Taryll Adren Jackson and Tito Joe ("TJ") Jackson. His career and solo work include a reality television series for which he was executive producer. His band 3T currently still tours, and he works as a spokesperson on behalf of the Jackson family.

Shambala Preserve is an animal sanctuary established in 1972 and located in Acton, California, a desert community 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Palmdale, off of California State Route 14 and 40 miles (64 km) north of Los Angeles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Jackson</span> American singer (1958–2009)

Michael Joseph Jackson was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Known as the "King of Pop", he is widely regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. During his four-decade career, his contributions to music, dance, and fashion, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture. Jackson influenced artists across many music genres. Through stage and video performances, he popularized complicated street dance moves such as the moonwalk, which he named, as well as the robot.

"D.S." is a song by Michael Jackson, released on his 1995 album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I. It is a rock song that conveys themes such as bitterness, mistrust and corruption within law enforcement. It was written, composed and produced by Jackson and includes an instrumental accompaniment and guitar solo by Slash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julien's Auctions</span>

Julien's Auctions is a privately held auction house based in Beverly Hills, California founded in 2003 by Darren Julien and co-owned with Martin Nolan. They specialize in auctions of film memorabilia, music memorabilia, sports memorabilia, Fashion and street and contemporary art. Julien's Auctions has received attention for their auctions of various high-profile items. They have handled collections and estates from entertainers such as Marilyn Monroe, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Banksy, Cher, Bob Mackie, Michael Jackson, Tompkins and Bush, Slash, Ronnie Wood, Bill Wyman, Frank Zappa, Greta Garbo, Nirvana, Hugh Hefner, Sharon Tate, Pele, Elvis Presley, Burt Reynolds, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Sylvester Stallone, Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Prince, Madonna, Olivia Newton-John, Bette Midler, Mae West, Barbra Streisand, Jane Fonda, Aretha Franklin, Janet Jackson, Amy Winehouse, Elizabeth Taylor, Doris Day, Betty White, Don McLean and Fleetwood Mac. The auction house's first placement was in 2009 for the sale of one of Michael Jackson's bejeweled white gloves which sold for $420,000.

"Dangerous" is a song by American singer and recording artist Michael Jackson. The song appeared as the fourteenth and final track on Jackson's album of the same name, released in November 1991. Written and composed by Jackson, Bill Bottrell and Teddy Riley, the song was planned as the tenth single from the album, set for a January 1994 release. However, these plans were cancelled due to allegations of child sexual abuse which were made against Jackson in August 1993 and Jackson's health concerns. "Dangerous" is a new jack swing song which also incorporates industrial music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MJ Gallery at Ponte 16</span>

MJ Gallery at Ponte 16 is an art gallery located on the second floor of the Ponte 16, Ponte 12A - 20, Rua das Lorchas e Rua do Visconde Paço de Arcos, Macau. It is the first Michael Jackson-themed gallery in Asia, and the second permanent exhibition venue in the world to exhibit artifacts from the life and work of Michael Jackson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cultural impact of Michael Jackson</span>

American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson (1958–2009) is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th and 21st century and one of the most successful and influential entertainers of all time. Often referred as the "King of Pop", his achievements helped to complete the desegregation of popular music in the United States and introduced an era of multiculturalism and integration that future generations of artists followed. His influence extended to inspiring fashion trends and raising awareness for social causes around the world.

<i>Leaving Neverland</i> 2019 documentary film

Leaving Neverland is a 2019 documentary film directed and produced by Dan Reed. It focuses on two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who allege they were sexually abused as children by the American singer Michael Jackson. Their allegations are the subject of a recent legal ruling, Safechuck v. MJJ Productions, clearing the way for a trial of their long-running claims.

Michael Jackson's Boys Is a 2005 TV documentary made by Tiger Aspect Productions, and first aired in the UK on Channel 4 in January 2005 narrated by Mark Strong and later on ABC in the U.S. in February 2005 with narration by Martin Bashir, the U.S. version also featured addition interviews not shown in the British version that increased the length of the documentary for an additional hour. The documentary was released just prior to the Trial of Michael Jackson, and it focuses on a "supposed history" of Michael Jackson's interest in boys.

References

  1. 1 2 Mansour, David (2005). From Abba to Zoom: a pop culture encyclopedia of the late 20th century. Andrews McMeel Publishing. p. 487. ISBN   978-0-7407-5118-9.
  2. 1 2 Campbell, Lisa D. (March 1993). Michael Jackson: the king of pop. Branden Books. p. 101. ISBN   9780828319577 . Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  3. ↑ Perpetua, Matthew (27 June 2011). "'Thriller' Jacket Brings in $1.8 Million". Rolling Stone .
  4. ↑ "Michael Jackson's Thriller jacket sells for $1.8m at auction". BBC News. 27 June 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  5. ↑ "Michael Jackson's "Thriller" jacket up for auction". Reuters. 6 June 2011 – via www.reuters.com.
  6. ↑ "Michael Jackson's Thriller Jacket Sells For £1.1Million | MTV UK". www.mtv.co.uk. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  7. ↑ Goode, Lauren (30 June 2009). "Deborah Landis, Designer of the Red Jacket Michael Jackson Wore in "Thriller"". Wall Street Journal.
  8. ↑ Communications, Emmis (April 1985). "Texas Monthly". Domain: The Lifestyle Magazine of Texas Monthly. Emmis Communications: 176. ISSN   0148-7736 . Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  9. ↑ Landis, John (31 August 2017). "John Landis on the making of Michael Jackson's Thriller: 'I was adamant he couldn't look too hideous'". The Guardian– via www.theguardian.com.
  10. ↑ Williams, Russell (June 2003). Reborn Again. Xulon Press. p. 37. ISBN   978-1-59160-675-8 . Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  11. ↑ Gautier, Yves (2010). Michael Jackson, Backdoor to Neverland: Exposing the King of Pop's Secret Mindsets. Yves GAUTIER. p. 81. ISBN   978-1-4528-1576-3.
  12. ↑ Lauren Goode (30 June 2009). "Deborah Landis, Designer of the Red Jacket Michael Jackson Wore in "Thriller"". The Wall Street Journal . Speakeasy. Retrieved 4 July 2009. At the time, she says, the 25-year-old Jackson weighed only 99 lbs, with a 26-inch waist ("exactly the same height and weight as Fred Astaire"), and one of the challenges she faced was making the performer appear more "virile."
  13. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. ↑ The Gloved One: Documentary (DVD). Michael Jackson's This Is It: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. 2010.
  15. ↑ International textiles. International textiles. 2001. p. 185.
  16. ↑ Men's Health. Rodale, Inc. March 2006. p. 9. ISSN   1054-4836 . Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  17. ↑ English journal. National Council of Teachers of English. 1994. p. 59.
  18. ↑ Campbell, Lisa D. (March 1993). Michael Jackson: the king of pop. Branden Books. p. 101. ISBN   978-0-8283-1957-7 . Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  19. ↑ Hadden, Briton; Luce, Henry Robinson (1984). Time. Time Inc. p. 152.
  20. ↑ Daly, Rhian (5 March 2019). "Wade Robson clarifies whether he burned Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' jacket". NME.
  21. ↑ "Wade Robson Speaks Out on Burning His Michael Jackson 'Thriller'-Style Jacket in Leaving Neverland". PEOPLE.com.
  22. ↑ "Leaving Neverland: What Was Wade Robson Burning in the End-Credits Sequence?". Vanity Fair. 5 March 2019.
  23. ↑ Martinelli, Marissa (5 March 2019). "Wait, Did They Just Burn Michael Jackson's "Thriller" Jacket?". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  24. ↑ "Michael Jackson Accuser Tried to Sell Memorabilia Anonymously". The Blast. 25 February 2019.
  25. ↑ Bowenbank, Starr (26 May 2022). "Michael Jackson's Red 'Thriller' Jacket Enters Rock Hall Under High Security". Billboard . Retrieved 27 November 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.