This is why I hate the “catalog” rule. Classic albums that outpace sales of new content prove that 1)consumers will buy music they like even if the tracks are easily available for free and 2)most (not all, but most) new music does not have the legs of older music. If record companies would recognize this and concentrate on marketing and promoting quality – talented artists, solid albums – their fortunes would turn around.

I agree with Older than Dirt

agreed as well, and i would love nothing more than to NOT see the black eyed peeyourpants at the top of the charts

Usually, death of an artist produce an interest in revisiting that artist’s works. I think there is one other factor at work with the sudden upswing in sales. I think alot of people were fans of Michael Jackson’s music. However, after repeated child molestation charges. Most music fans didn’t want their money going to him. So, they were waiting to buy his albums after he died.

You sound like my dad when you say “most (not all, but most) new music does not have the legs of older music.” With all due respect, EVERY generation has MORE than it’s share of crappy music, it’s just that the older stuff has been lost in the sands of time and we can look back with rose colored glasses while you’re still having today’s crappy music stuffed down your throat. For every Ramones that came out of the 70’s, there was a Bay City Rollers, a Tony Orlando and Dawn, a Captain and Tennille, etc., etc… If anything, there’s MORE good music these days because there are more independent labels and more outlets such as the internet for music that wouldn’t have gotten signed in 1973. You just have to look for it, like you did then (true geniuses like Roxy Music weren’t burning up the charts in the 70’s). And most of the time, you ain’t going to find it on the Billboard Top 200. And I’m 40 years old, so I am not some kid defending his music. I just didn’t stop buying music after I turned 25.

If you think music stopped being good in 1978, try Fleet Foxes, Wilco, Animal Collective, The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, Jarvis Cocker, Rhonda Vincent, Ryan Adams (every 3rd album he puts out), Radiohead, Dirty Projectors, Pavement, Dwight Yoakam, Grizzly Bear, Mars Volta, Isis…and then let me know what you think. You may hate some of it, but you may love some of it and realize that there’s a lot of good music out there you aren’t listening to.

You sound like my dad when you say “most (not all, but most) new music does not have the legs of older music.” With all due respect, EVERY generation has MORE than it’s share of crappy music, it’s just that the older stuff has been lost in the sands of time and we can look back with rose colored glasses while you’re still having today’s crappy music stuffed down your throat. For every Ramones that came out of the 70’s, there was a Bay City Rollers, a Tony Orlando and Dawn, a Captain and Tennille, etc., etc… If anything, there’s MORE good music these days because there are more independent labels and more outlets such as the internet for music that wouldn’t have gotten signed in 1973. You just have to look for it, like you did then (true geniuses like Roxy Music weren’t burning up the charts in the 70’s). And most of the time, you ain’t going to find it on the Billboard Top 200.

Completely agree with the post below me. Well said!

Okay – points well taken.

– Believe it or not, I listen to a lot of new music. Check out the new Diane Birch CD – great stuff!

– Admittedly, a lot of great music went unrecognized in its heyday – even by me. Bob Marley’s “Legend” CD is one of the best-selling albums of all time…but where was I when this music was new?

– I had a brief commercial radio career. It conincided with the “Thriller” album – I went into radio with “The Girl Is Mine” and went out with “PYT.” If you had asked me at the time what I thought of “Thriller”, I wold have told you I was sick of it – every day for almost three years! However, time and distance has made me realize it is a pop classic. Wish we had more of those these days.

– I think people are buying Michael Jackson’s music because they are being given an opportunity to re-access it.

– Weird has always been with us when it comes to performers. On reflection, does anybody think that Frank Sinatra was or Bob Dylan is “normal”?

– Every generation has its crap. And every generation has its gulity pleasures. If you haven’t ever shouted along to “Saturday Night” by the Bay City Rollers, you need to start attending better parties.

– My point remains. I can’t drive through a medium-sized market without being able to find a “classic rock” or “70’s oldies” station. I have to hunt high-and-low to find a “90’s” or “2000s” radio station. If today’s record company executives want to truly test their metel, they shouldn’t fear having their current product measure against the sales of their predecessors. Most often, they’ll be vindicated. But – every once in a while – they’ll get their butts handed to them. That’s how it should be.

I’m glad to see this.

Some smartass part of me is wondering how many dozen copies Invincible sold this week? (I actually gave it a spin for the first time since I bought it in 2001 – “Unbreakable” is a pretty sweet track!)

his the king of pop .elvis king of rock wow what champs I lived both I’m a legend .

I love the king long live the king.elvivs ma

What did you expect?

Michael Jackson, the Immortal King of Pop does it Again

Michael Jackson, the Immortal King of Pop does it Again

i love every song Michael Jackson sings.I am his number one fan,although Michael Jackson is gone i will pray that god will bless his family ,and all those people who love Michael Jackson ,just keep on loving him and am sure that if he where still alive today he would have showed how much he loved his fans by singing for us .I know people say that children are shy when they see someone new but i am only eleven years old and want to say to Michael Jackson “i love you and i pray that god will bless all the problems that you had with your skin i am glad that you accepted Jesus as your personal lord and savior” i did not know that i could write for so long when i am sad . I saw every cd and video that came out by MICHAEL Jackson . i love them all but my favorite song is thriller and my favorite music video is thriller and my favorite movie is moon walker. Once again i will say i love you Michael Jackson and may the LORD richly bless the Jackson family.

older than dirt sounds jealous of Michael jackson

Hey, Im a 70’s guy from Cleveland when WMMS ruled the roost and saw ‘em all. It was an incredible time.We oldy but goodies have to give an ear to the new acts. I just bought Bible Belt by Diane Birch and can’t put it down. She’s incredible.The problem with the indy labels is ,sometimes they just don’t have the promo capital to help push a great act.KEEP LOOKING!!!!

i just cant get past how he destroyed his face! at one time mj was a handsome man now he is just plain sad. what was he thinking?

R.I.P Michael Jackson x
greatest music of all EVER x

Michael Jackson sold over 750,000,000 records while he was alive. Elvis didn’t do it. Beatles didn’t do it. Bing Crosby didn’t do it.

If Elvis is King, Michael Jackson is GOD.

nuff said.

MJ’s music will live forever!
He’s a genius and his power to influence people is incomprehensible…

Hey bellaboo41670 you also have to remember that he got burned which was a big problem and that he had some kind of skin cancer. Also he was like a perfectionist always trying to make himself look better,so he must have thought he was really going somewhere as he kept changing his looks. He doesn’t look like he has a big nose either. I have to admit he was a handsome man before any of that stuff happened. But that doesn’t matter cause he was still the Michael we all knew and loved. R.I.P. MJ

I love every song of MJ. He is my hero forever

I think michael will always sing to us in the breeze and guide us through our lives and all those people who think michael was stupid you should shut up because he was a good MAN!!! Every time I go to my nanas I always watch michael jackson for the whole day. I love michael I am his biggest fan.R.I.P michael.

Michael Jackson is always a cut above the rest. Beatles, Elvis,Frank Sinatra,Jim Hendrix,Bob Marley,James Brown, all of them comes behind MJ. And Prince is a cranky Creep.He can’t sing.

why did he have to die

I like all musics of michael jackson. i love you michael jackson for ever i can’t forget you.i love you so much more than i say.