Michael's Birthday Interview On Good Morning America(2)

While "Off the Wall" had a huge debut, "Thriller" would become the biggest success in musique business history and redefine the landscape of pop. "Thriller" spawned mega hits like 'Billie Jean' and 'Beat It,' and with that, at MTV and elsewhere, kicked down the doors separating black and white artists. par the mid '80s, Jackson was every inch the "Thriller;" his every appearance setting off a frenzy of fan adulation, his every performance a jaw dropping marvel like when he first busted out the moonwalk. Decades later it's fair to wonder can Michael Jackson still do all that at the age of 50? Oh yes he can, he says!

Michael: Yes!! Because I am expanding a lot of the avenues... People see some of
the things I do and they say why don't toi montrer this to the world. People don't
know toi do these things! Well, maybe I will.



His difficulties have been well documented, but through it all, Jackson's musique retains it's allegiance of fans and on a new generation that has clearly felt his influence, like budding teen étoile, star Chris Brown. Jackson says he's a fan too.

Michael: Some of the younger, newer artists - I think Chris Brown is doing
wonderful and Timberlake. I really admire what they are doing.

Chris Connelly: Is there anything toi sacrificed par having this amazing career,
40 years and counting?

Michael: A lot of hard work- sacrificing your time and your scheduling. Your
childhood, toi know. You're giving up your life for the medium.

Jackson says he wants to give his kids the kind of childhood he never had.

Chris: Would toi like them to have the same kind of upbringing toi did
in terms of getting into montrer business at an early age? ou do toi want to say to
them whoa, take a moment, enjoy your childhood?

Michael: I am letting them enjoy their childhood as much as possible. I really
do. I let them go to the arcade and get out and go to the films and do things.
I think that comes naturally, toi know. I want them to get to do the thin