- Early January:
The single Billie Jean is released by Epic and Michael shoots a video for the song directed by Steve Barron.
- February:
Michael goes to London to work on songs with Paul Mac Cartney.
While in London , he attends the British Awards to accept an award on behalf of Barbara Streisand and he also visits his friend Mark Lester.
- February 8:
Michael & Paul Mac Cartney are on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine (as a picture)
- February 17:
Michael is on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine With exclusive photo and an interview by Gerri Hirchey.
- February 25:
At a CBS Records press conference, Jane Fonda presents Michael with a Platinum certification for Thriller.
- Late February:
The single Beat It is released by Epic.
- March:
The video of Billie Jean is added to MTV’s playlist which is seen as a major breakthrough for a black artist.
Michael is on the cover of Rock & Soul magazine.
The Jackson do not renew the managing contract of Weisner & DeMann.
- March 9:
On Skid Row, east of Hollywood , Michael begins filming the video of Beat It, directed by Bob Giraldi & choreographed by Michael Peters with 25 dancers and 50 actual Los Angeles gang members. The video costs $ 150 000!
- March 12 :
The co-managing contract between Joe Jackson, Weisner & De Mann expires.
- March 20:
Michael attends the opening night party of the stage show Dreamgirls with Latoya.
- March 25:
Michael & The Jacksons rehearse for Motown 25th Anniversary Show at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
- April:
Beat It is added to MTV’s playlist.
- April 6:
Michael attends a post concert party for Liza Minnelli at the New Universal Amphitheater, Hollywood with Quincy Jones & David Geffen.
- April 9:
All the Jackson brothers (including Jermaine) rehearse and tape their segment of the Motown 25th Special at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
- April 16:
Michael & Samir Kamoun don Charlie Chaplin outfits to pay tribute to him on his birthday.
- April 25:
Michael is on the cover of Jet magazine.
- May:
The single Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin is relased by Motown.
- May 16:
NBC broadcasts the two hour special Motown 25th: Yesterday, Today & Forever featuring for the first time since 1975, a performance of the six Jackson brothers for a medley of the Jackson 5 hits followed by a solo performance of Billie Jean during which Michael showcases his first ever public performance of the Moonwalk.
At the end of the show, Michael joins Diana Ross and all the Motown stars on stage to pay tribute to Berry Gordy.
The show is watched by 47 millions Americans and Michaels dancing talents are finally recognised when legends such as Fred Astaire & Gene Kelly call him and congratulate his performance.
- June:
Michael is on the cover of Creem magazine.
Member if The Jacksons World Fan-Club receive an improvised and unreleased song from the group named The Surprise Song.
- June 22 :
Michael decides not to renew his managing contract with Joe, Weisner & DeMann.
- July:
Michael is rumoured to work with Steven Spielberg on a new adapatation of the children fairy tale Peter Pan.
The single Human Nature is released by Epic.
- July 9:
Michael appears on the cover of the teenage magazine Top.
- August 20 :
Pre-production begins on the Thriller short film directed by John Landis & choreographed by Michael Peters.
- September:
It is announced that The Jacksons will tour the in 1984.
Michael is on the cover of Black Beat magazine.
- September 6 :
Michael signs an agreement through his production company Optimum Productions, that will pay John Landis 50 per cent of net profits from both the Thriller video and the documentary.
- September 25:
Michael’s performance at the Motown 25th is shown at the Emmy Awards Ceremony where it is nominated but does not win.
- September 30:
The Jacksons sign boxing tycoon, Don King, as promoter of their forthcoming tour.
- October:
Michael is on the cover of People, Interview, Globe & Rock & Soul magazines.
The single P.Y.T (Pretty Young Things) is released by Epic and it features Janet & Latoya doing background vocals.
- October 4:
A new duet between Michael & Paul Mac Cartney named Say Say Say is released by Columbia Records and becomes a big success.
Michael & Paul shoot the video in Santa Ynez Valley ( California ) with cameo appearances by Latoya Jackson & Linda Mac Cartney!
- October 11-20:
Michael shoots the Thriller short film in Los Angeles.Jackie Kennedy Onassis visit him on the set and has dinner at Hayvenhurst.
- November:
Michael & Diana Ross are on the cover of Ebony.
Michael attends a James Brown’s concert at the Roxy and and one point, he comes on stage to sing and dance!
Michael & Quincy return to the Westlake studios to make an interview about Thriller.
- November 11:
A $5 million endorsement contract is signed between The Jacksons & Pepsi Cola involving sponsorship of the Victory Tour & two TV commercials.
- November 30:
Michael attends a press conference at New York ’s Tavern On The Green to announce plans for the Victory Tour. He is aaccompanied by his parents & sisters (in the audience) plus his brothers and a young boy named Emmanual Lewis (star of the TV show Webster).
- December 2:
The 14 minutes short film of Thriller is premiered on MTV.
- December 8:
Michael leaves for New York to promote the Thriller video.
- December 14:
The Making Of Thriller is released on VHS and it will become the most biggest selling music video of all time!
