With 60 copies on hand and another large shipment on the way, Fye Music Store located in the Wolfchase Galleria is prepared for fast and furious sales of the new Michael Jackson CD, Invincible, released Tuesday.
“We have a massive display in the front of the store plus copies of the CD on the new release rack,” said sales associate Ervin Dobson. “We are expecting Invincible to sell out quickly.”
Fans have been anticipating the release of Jackson’s CD since Aug. 20, when Jackson released the first single, “You Rock My World.”
“I really loved the new single by Michael,” said Crystle Glenn, an employee at Best Buy. “He will prove to the world why he truly is invincible.”
As a solo artist, Jackson proved his sound was Off the Wall by thrilling the world with Thriller and later showing he is Bad and Dangerous. He ended it all by telling us HiStory.
Now that he is returning, the Recording Industry Association of America has high hopes that the Jackson CD will bring all the recent record sales out of its slump.
People are already waiting to buy the new CD.
“I have been waiting for a new Mike album since HiStory,” said Vincent Long, a sophomore at Southwest Tennessee Community College.
Michael Jackson has already started some of the promotions for his new album by staging a two-day concert at Madison Square Garden in early September. The concerts, which featured music stars from all age groups and genres, grossed more than $10 million, according to web site MJIFC.com. The concerts will air at 7 p.m. on Nov. 13 on CBS.
“I can’t wait to see Michael back on stage and dancing the way only the King can,” said Sharon Head, an employee at Kroger.
Jackson started singing at age five and has been a superstar ever since. He started his career with his brothers as the Jackson Five. His first single in 1969, “I Want You Back,” hit No. 1 on the billboard charts. Michael broke from his brothers, releasing his first solo album in 1979. Jackson established himself as the King of Pop with the release of Thriller in 1982. Still holding as the number one selling album in the world, Thriller has sold more than 47 million copies worldwide and landed Jackson with a $1 billion contract from Sony.
“Thriller is and always will be the greatest album ever made,” said Nicole Fraprie, a 20-year-old freshman at Shelby State College.
Now 20 years later, Jackson is trying to re-create his success. The single, “You Rock My World,” which features actor Chris Tucker, reaffirms Jackson’s pop sound. The track, “Cry,” a gospel ballad, like Jacksons classic “Man in the Mirror,” which emphasizes the message of world unity. Another track is the soulful “Butterflies,” which takes Jackson back to his rhythm and blues roots.
Many fans are already familiar with “You Rock My World,” because of the single’s music video which premiered on Sept. 28.
“Michael has done it again,” said Marcus Holmes, a 20-year-old Toys-R-Us employee. “The song and video are great. I’ll be the first in line to buy the new album.”
Jackson has worked with Grammy-award winning producers, writers and beat mixers for this album. The album cost $30 million just to finish and release.
“I own every Michael Jackson solo album released,” said Anthony Beasley, a 19-year-old freshman at State Tech. “Whatever Mike does is a masterpiece, and I am sure that I will buy the new album.”
Young adults are not the only ones anticipating Jackson’s release. Baby boomers who grew up in the Jackson era were also anxious for Tuesday’s release.
“Michael ruled the radio waves and video channels when I was a child,” said Lillian Blevins, a 46-year-old mother of three who plans to buy the CD.
