And not only did that break records and set standards, the 10-minute video, or mini-movie, for the song "Thriller" pioneered the way for music videos.

The only album that has challenged "Thriller" for the bestselling album of all time is the Eagles' "Greatest Hits 1971-1975." And every few months they switch places. But now, for sure, "Thriller" will once again surge with sales because the King of Pop is gone.

His subsequent albums — "Bad," "Dangerous," "HIStory: Past, Present and Future Book 1" and "Invincible" — still were successful but not to the magnitude of "Thriller."

In fact, "Invincible," which was released in 2001, sold more than 200,000 copies in its first week of distribution and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

But with the fame came the tragedies and missteps.

Pyrotechnic malfunctions, accusations of child molestation, canceled tours, painkiller addiction and failed marriages — one to Lisa Marie Presley and the other to Debbie Rowe — were fodder for the tabloids.

Then MJ became reclusive and secretive.

That only fanned the flames for the media, who called him "Wacko Jacko."

The 2002 incident where he playfully dangled his baby off the balcony in front of the paparazzi didn't help his image, either.

In 2004 he was 15 minutes late to his child-molestation hearing in Los Angeles but instead of walking straight into the courtroom, he stopped to shake hands with his fans.

Then during the hearing, which took about 10 minutes, he actually left early to go to the restroom. When he emerged from the courthouse, he jumped on a vehicle and did an impromptu dance.

His lawyers said it was a "spontaneous display of affection." I called it a lack of respect for the courts.

At any rate, Jackson was acquitted of the child molestation charges in 2005. And he settled other cases out of court. But he was never able to shake the stigma of being an accused child molester.

Lately, things began to look up for MJ, who was preparing to embark on a world tour.

But the multi-Grammy Award-winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer who delighted millions throughout the '80s is dead.

And I'm sure the media await the autopsy reports with bated breath.

A friend told me that Michael Jackson's death is what Elvis' death meant to our parents. Or John Lennon's.

I agree.

Goodbye, Michael, but as you sang all those years ago, you "Never Can Say Goodbye."

E-mail: scott@desnews.com