Michael Jackson‘s iconic Billie Jean performance first aired on this day 40 years ago.

[Bondye Vodou]

I ain’t never seen a music video where the artist displayed as much swag and charisma as the GOAT in this classic.

 

[MikelArteta]

Everything shut down. My entire family was glued to the tv and it’s all we talked about in school the next day. They did the same thing for Remember the Time as well

even his last big cd when he was alive they did the same i remember his song premiered on a bunch of different stations

 

[3xplatinum]

Yep. I remember when Black and White and Remember the Time debuted in prime time

Yep, these kids will never understand how everything shut down for an MJ music video debut

Everything shut down. My entire family was glued to the tv and it’s all we talked about in school the next day. They did the same thing for Remember the Time as well

I know with youtube theres no reason to have a video premiere but This is another reason why I always say there will never be another artist coming close to MJ

Even with all the major stars back then (Madonna, U2, Rolling Stones) none of them got the treatment MJ got.

Look at the Liberian girl video, Mike had all the A- list celebs glazing over him. Never be another

 

[shopthatwrecks]

3:17 i know her thang hairy

 

[Rhapscallion Démone]

Wow and today is also Janet's birthday. So her big bro took over the world on her birthday

 

[Rell84shots]

Most iconic moonwalk of all time, and it's not even his top 50 best moonwalk.

 

[patscorpio]

Yep. I remember when Black and White and Remember the Time debuted in prime time

Def remember that shyt...shyt was epic

 

[CobaltBlue]

I’m (but not really tho) and saw this live as a kid. This ALLLL we talked about at school the next day.

An all time great performance.

This amount of electricity and simultaneous composure is unparalleled .

 

[TMBlue]

What these nikkaz know about a MJ video premiering on Fox after the Simpsons...

 

[En Sabah Nur]

Most iconic moonwalk of all time, and it's not even his top 50 best moonwalk.

When he would freestyle at the end of future Billie Jean performances over nothing but drums (see 5:20)

 

[Rollie Forbes]

Thriller music video was such a big deal that they publicized when it would premiere on different channels. First on MTV and then on the other channels.

And they didn't replay Motown 25. Was heavily promoted, so EVERYBODY watched it when it aired.

MJ was literally one of the only artists i ever knew to have his videos debut on national television (not cable). I remember watching Bad and Black and White debut live on NBC or some shyt.

Yep. I remember when Black and White and Remember the Time debuted in prime time

Yep, these kids will never understand how everything shut down for an MJ music video debut

Everything shut down. My entire family was glued to the tv and it’s all we talked about in school the next day. They did the same thing for Remember the Time as well

even his last big cd when he was alive they did the same i remember his song premiered on a bunch of different stations

What these nikkaz know about a MJ video premiering on Fox after the Simpsons...

All facts! Michael Jackson video premieres were a huge event, and all of us talked about the video the next day with our friends at school!
The only other artist that I can remember who was able to secure a prime time video premier was MC Hammer for 2 Legit 2 Quit.

 

[The Connoisseurs]

My introverted Super Hero

 

[Rollie Forbes]

Speaking of MJ, here's comedian Boo Kapone talking about Michael Jackson being a crip and fighting Tupac.

 

[TMBlue]

All facts! Michael Jackson video premieres were a huge event, and all of us talked about the video the next day with our friends at school!
The only other artist that I can remember who was able to secure a prime time video premier was MC Hammer for 2 Legit 2 Quit.

Even the 2 Legit 2 Quit video had MJ at the end of the video with the glove.