The Michael Jackson Fan Club

(1-5-2008) Top-Rated "Thrillercast" Series Set To Run With Weekly Updates Throughout 2008

 Legacy Recordings proudly announces "Thrillercast," a ground breaking podcast event celebrating the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson's Thriller, the world's biggest selling album of all time.

Launched earlier this year in conjunction with Legacy's release of Thriller 25, the newly expanded deluxe 25th anniversary edition of Michael Jackson's watershed cultural touchstone, the "Thrillercast" series features icons of music, film, television, and popular culture exploring their unique personal experiences with Thriller and the album's influence on them, both personally and professionally.

Each episode of "Thrillercast" illuminates the Thriller experience from a fresh perspective, discussing the influence of Michael Jackson's songs, videos, choreography, persona, and iconography through the stories of actors and directors, journalists, musicians, choreographers, music industry insiders, DJs and fans whose lives were transformed by an album that's become an essential part of our collective history and consciousness.

Prior to the launch of the series, the "Thrillercast" pilot episode was leaked to a variety of Michael Jackson fan sites who responded with overwhelming enthusiasm eventually making the "Thrillercast" teaser episode the #1 Music Podcast on iTunes. Subsequent "Thrillercast" episodes have consistently placed in the iTunes Top 10 most downloaded music podcasts list.

"Thrillercast" is available for free through all major podcast providers, as well as directly through michaeljackson.com, Michael's newly-revamped official website. New episodes of "Thrillercast" will be released throughout 2008.

"Thrillercast" is produced by Legacy Recordings and Joseph Vella of Vella Interactive, who has been responsible for series centered on John Coltrane, Elvis Costello, The Beach Boys, Yo-Yo Ma and more.

"What truly separates 'Thrillercast' from any other current album-specific podcast series is the expansive and diverse perspective in which we are telling the story," said Joseph Vella. "Aside from the discussion of the music and brilliance of Michael Jackson's artistry, we are taking people back to 1982 and Epic Records and the pre-production of Thriller; we are examining Michael's dance style and the trio of Thriller music videos with a group of acclaimed choreographers and dancers several of whom were featured in the famous videos; we are recounting the early days of MTV and the impact Thriller had on the network with insiders who were there from the start; we hear from an eclectic mix of artists from all around the globe on the huge reach Thriller had, and continues to have internationally. We also breakdown the remixing of Thriller 25 and more."

Four episodes of "Thrillercast" (the preview and three full episodes) were posted during the month of February with 60,000 episodes being downloaded to external devices and 250,000 episodes listened to via iTunes. Cumulative episode usage in February reached 310,000 listens.

"Thrillercast" -- Episode highlights include:

Run-DMC's Darryl McDaniels

The "Thrillercast" launched its first episode with Darryl "DMC" McDaniels. On the episode, McDaniels talks about Michael's impact on MTV, the effect of Thriller's success on Run-DMC and the experience of introducing Michael at the Grammys.

will.i.am

One of the hottest artist/producers in today's pop music scene, will.i.am talks about growing up with Thriller, the influence Michael has had on him and his collaboration with the King of Pop on Thriller 25.

Adam Curry

The ex-MTV VJ and internet entrepreneur shares his personal story of hearing Thriller while in college as well as recounting his meeting with Michael to present the artist with a Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of MTV.

Vince Paterson

While most know him as the blonde gang leader in the video "Beat It," Vince was also one of the zombies in the Thriller video. He went on to choreograph videos with Michael for 10 years following Thriller.

LL Cool J

The legendary musician talks about being blown away upon hearing Thriller and also shares his experience approaching, and getting permission from Michael to be the first hip-hop artist to use a sample from the Thriller recording.

Episodes to include:

Thriller 25: wiill.i.am, Akon

The Making Of Thriller/Epic Records Back In 82: Quincy Jones, Larry Hamby

MTV & Thriller: Adam Curry, Mark Goodman

Music Videos/Choreography & Dance: Shane Sparks, Mia Michaels, Electric Boogaloos, Vince Paterson, Wade Robson

How Thriller Changed Radio: Lee Abrams

DJ Culture/Turntablists: DJ Spooky

Old School Rapper -- Thriller's cultural impact and connection to hip-hop: DMC (Of Run DMC), LL Cool J

Contemporary R&B/Soul/Pop/Gospel Stars -- How Thriller continues to influence music today: Omarion, Kirk Franklin, Katharine McPhee

Satirist: "Weird Al" Yankovic

The Jazz Connection: Chris Botti, Herbie Hancock

Thriller from around the world: Ceu Imogen Heap

Music And Cultural Journalist Perspective: Nelson George

Actors: Nick Cannon

Source: MJFC / Legacy Recordings / PRNewswire / The Earth Times