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ShareMumbai: Right from the moment Rhythm House, the iconic music store in Kala Ghoda, opened on Friday morning, phones kept ringing without a break. Callers were enquiring about the available albums of Michael Jackson. "I do not know whether they want to buy it for themselves or for their friends," said Mehmood Curmally, manager of the store, according to whom, the weeks to come will see a rise in demand for Jackson's albums.
The release of his album The Thriller shot Michael Jackson to international stardom in 1982. The release in India was subdued, recalled Anil Malani of Hiro Music. But after it was out, it became a super hit. "International super hits do not necessarily become hits in India, but The Thriller attracted a huge fan base," said Malani.
"It was a landmark in sale of audio tapes in those days," said Curmally, recalling playing the song many times over at Rhythm House after its release. The album was re-released in November 2008 to mark its 25th anniversary. Since its release, it has sold around 300 copies at the Rhythm House store alone.
After his concert in the city in 1996, when Jackson rocked fans to Moonwalking, the sale of his albums soared. The latest album King of Pop, a compilation of Jackson's 35 songs was released in February this year and has sold 200 copies so far.
After two decades and seven albums released as an adult solo artist, "the youngsters in the city keep rediscovering him," said Namish Chindarkar of Planet M. A large number of youngsters still come asking for Jackson CDs, he added.
