King of Pop Michael Jackson turned 50 on August 29, 2008.  He gave an exclusive phone interview to ABC Good Morning America, and discussed his future plans, his musical influences (James Brown, Fred Astaire), contemporary music artists who acknowledge his influence (Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake), and more.  The phone interview is interspersed with footage from Michael Jackson’s legendary career, noting milestones such as his 1982 album Thriller which is the best selling album in music history.

Reflecting back, Jackson said the happiest time in his life was probably when he was recording his hit solo albums “Thriller,” released in 1982, and “Off the Wall,” released in 1979. Those albums — which were accompanied by a string of hit singles and videos and corresponded with the 1983 debut of his signature dance, the “moonwalk” — propelled him to the height of his stardom.

“That meant very much to me and seemed to be received so beautifully by the public and the world,” he said. “I enjoyed it very much.”

Asked to pick a single song as his greatest achievement, Jackson went back to the same period.

“Oh boy, that’s a hard one,” he said, before singling out “We Are the World,” “Billie Jean” and “Thriller.”

But Jackson was not content to rest on his laurels, saying, “I am still looking forward to doing a lot of great things.”

He hopes to release new music and tour, though he doesn’t have dates set.

“I am writing all the time,” he said. “I love composing and the whole thing. But I am also raising my children and enjoying it and teaching them to ride bicycles and how to read. I love it.”

Source: Michael Jackson: ‘I Feel … Very Young’ at 50

Michael Jackson GMA interview video August 29, 2008



Here is a compilation video of some of Michael Jackson’s best moonwalking

To see all of Michael Jackson’s music videos, visit the Official Michael Jackson YouTube channel

Video: Michael Jackson 50th Birthday Interview with Good Morning America 8-29-08