Our Music Director's Favourite Childhood Album Turns 30!

Everyone remembers the first album that resonated with them. It was a launching pad, a way to begin exploring the vast richness of the musical universe. And for me, that childhood album was Michael Jackson’s Bad.

Released on August 31, 1987, Bad changed my life. I was an energetic seven year old when it came out and I had thought “Thriller” was pretty cool, so naturally I was all over Bad. It was the first cassette tape I remember owning (I believe I got it for Christmas ’87) and I played it constantly. I would dance around the house, attempt to moonwalk, and sing along to my favourites. All 11 songs were great and my love for the album has never faded. I owned the cassette and now own the Special Edition CD, picture disc vinyl, original vinyl and a bootleg copy of Michael’s 1987 performance of “The Bad Tour” in Yokohama, Japan.

Bad was the last album Michael recorded with the legendary Quincy Jones and was the culmination of the most critically and commercially successful trilogy of albums ever recorded. It sold over 35 million copies, featured five #1 singles (a record at the time), and had 9 of the 11 songs on the album released as radio singles, which is unheard of. Even the two songs that didn’t get commercial release are amazing and they continue to be two of my favourites on the album: “Speed Demon” and “Just Good Friends” (a duet with Stevie Wonder). And while “Speed Demon” never got a big release, it was featured in Michael’s “Moonwalker” film. Check it out below, especially if you have a soft spot for claymation.

This was the album that cemented Michael as the greatest entertainer in the world. Just like everyone wanted a red leather jacket when Thriller came out, Bad-era Michael gave us the black leather jack (with buckles). This album also featured Michael’s first attempts to show his disdain for the media. Just listen to the lyrics for “Bad” or watch the absolutely amazing video for “Leave Me Alone”.

His subsequent tour was one of the biggest world tours ever, spanning 16 months, 123 concerts, 4 continents and 15 countries. It grossed over $125 million and created pandemonium everywhere it touched down. Heck, 300 people greeted Michael’s chimpanzee Bubbles when he touched down in Japan!

If you haven’t dusted off your copy of Bad in awhile, do yourself a favour today and put it on track one and just let it play.

I owe so much of my musical identity to Michael Jackson and I really believe this was the album that led me to where I am today professionally.

Thank you Michael.