On May 16, 1983, Jackson stunned the world with the moonwalk, the backward gliding step he adapted from street dance. Photo: Paul Drinkwater/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images Michael Jackson performing at ’'Motown 25'

READ MORE: Michael Jackson: Behind the Scenes of His Iconic 'Thriller' Music Video Debuting the moonwalk and his signature glove The video’s unison zombie dance still inspires mass groups to try the choreography, and the album continues to be the world’s best-selling album with estimated sales of at least 66 million, according to the Guinness World Records, though some estimates set the number much higher. 1 when its ghoulish video was released a year later. Thriller stayed at the top of the charts for 37 weeks, which was a first, and though its position waned, it shot back to No. The album made Jackson the first artist to win eight Grammy Awards in one night. 1, containing seven top 10 hits on Billboard Hot 100, including the rock-driven cautionary tale “Beat It” and the plaintive “Billie Jean,” as well as the spooky but danceable title track. Released on November 30, 1982, it debuted at No.

The album Thriller reinvented all standards of commercial pop success. As one of the 20th century’s most important and enduringly popular entertainers, he had dozens of newsworthy, career-shaping moments: Here’s a look at 10 of the most iconic: The 'Thriller' album and music video Famous since the age of 11, he was a superstar by his mid 20s and continued to be a beloved, if flawed, phenomenon through his death on June 25, 2009. Michael Jackson rocketed to global stardom in the early 1980s, but his legacy as the King of Pop is based on more than the height of his career.

10 defining moments in life