More than thirty years after the album was released, today the RIAA announced that Michael Jackson's sixth record Thriller has officially been certified platinum 30 times over for U.S. sales. Billboard reports that Thriller, which has now been sold more than 30 million times in the United States alone, also maintains a record as the album with the longest reign at No. 1 with 37 weeks clocked at the top spot.
"RIAA has awarded Gold & Platinum records on behalf of the music business for nearly 60 years, but this is the first time an artist has crossed the 30X multi-Platinum plateau," the RIAA's CEO Cary Sherman said of the milestone. "We are honored to celebrate the unique status of Thriller in Gold & Platinum history. What an exceptional achievement and testament to Thriller's enduring spot in our hearts and musical history." Famed Epic Records CEO L.A. Reid added, "It is crystal clear that Michael Jackson is simply the greatest and biggest artist of all time. Not only are his charts hits and sales stats staggering, but his pure musicality was other-worldly. Thriller was groundbreaking and electrifying...it was perfection. I am extremely proud that Michael is the heart and soul of Epic Records and he will forever remain the one-and-only King of Pop."
Given the ongoing reality of constantly-dwindling record sales, it's hard to imagine a modern artist replicating the feat anytime soon, though Adele is definitely playing for keeps with her latest.
