Michael Jackson's Classic 1979 'Off The Wall' Album

Classic 'Off the Wall' album re-released February 26, 2016

Michael Jackson's first solo album on Epic Records, Off The Wall, will be re-released on February 26, 2016 as a CD/DVD with the new documentary, Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall, directed by Spike Lee. The movie made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2016, and debuted February 5, 2016 on Showtime. It features interviews with numerous stars, including John Legend, Pharrell Williams, and The Weeknd, as well as Jackson's parents, and his brothers Marlon and Jackie Jackson.

Produced by Quincy Jones, with songs composed by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, Off the Wall was the first solo album in history to include four top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: The title track "Off the Wall", "She's Out of My Life", and the number one singles "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You". After releasing four solo albums as a teenager on Motown Records, Off The Wall established Jackson as a superstar solo artist. The album has sold over 30 million copies, and generated numerous honors for Jackson. In 1980, he won his first Grammy Award, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for the album's first single, "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough." That same year, he also received three American Music Awards: Favorite Soul/R&B Album, Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist, and Favorite Soul/R&B Single for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough." In 1981, Jackson also won American Music Awards for Favorite Soul/R&B Album and Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist.

Here is a look back at "Michael Jackson's Classic 1979 Off The Wall Album."

01
of 09

'Off The Wall' sold over 30 million copies worldwide

Michael Jackson's 'Off The Wall'. Sony Music

Released on August 10, 1979, just prior to Michael Jackson's 21st birthday, Off The Wall catapulted Jackson from lead singer of The Jacksons, to international solo superstar. With Quincy Jones as producer, Off The Wall has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, and set the stage for the duo's next album, the greatest seller of all-time, Thriller

02
of 09

First solo album to contain four Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten Hits

Michael Jackson receives an award for his four top ten singles from the album 'Off The Wall' from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce on September 3 1980 in Los Angeles, California. Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images

Off The Wall made history as the first solo album to generate four top 10 singles on the Billboard 100. The first two singles, “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” and "Rock With You," each hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. The title track was the third single, and it peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100, and number five on the R&B chart. The ballad "She's Out Of My Life" was the fourth single from Off The Wall, and it also reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100. 

03
of 09

1980 - Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male

Michael Jackson. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Michael Jackson received his first Grammy Award, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, for “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” from Off The Wall. He previously received one Grammy nomination with The Jackson Five, and one solo nomination. In 1971, The Jackson Five's "ABC" was nominated for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus. In 1979, Jackson and Diana Ross were nominated for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for 'Ease On Down The Road" from the movie, The Wiz.

04
of 09

1980 - Three American Music Awards

Nicolette Larson with Michael Jackson at the American Music Awards. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Michael Jackson had never won an American Music Award prior to releasing Off The Wall. In 1980, he received three American Music Awards: Favorite Soul/R&B Album (Off The Wall), Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist, and Favorite Soul/R&B Single for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough."

05
of 09

1981 - Two American Music Awards

Michael Jackson. Images Press/IMAGES/Getty Images

Off The Wall is one of the few albums to win an American Music Award two consecutive years. It was voted Favorite Soul/R&B Album in 1980, and 1981. Also in 1981, Michael Jackson won Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist for the second straight year.

06
of 09

2008 - 'Off The Wall' Inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame

Michael Jackson. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

The Grammy Hall Of Fame was established by The Recording Academy's National Trustees in 1973 "to honor recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance" that are at least 25 years old. Off The Wall was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.

07
of 09

'Off The Wall' was the first Michael Jackson album produced by Quincy Jones

Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones worked together for the first time on the soundtrack for the 1978 movie, The Wiz. Jackson co-starred in the film with Diana Ross, and he was featured on the singles "You Can't Win," and "Ease on Down the Road" with Ross. While recording the soundtrack, Jones agreed to produce Jackson's next solo album, which became  Off The Wall. Jones produced three more albums with Jackson: the record-setting Thriller (1982), Bad (1987), and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial soundtrack (1982) which won a Grammy Award for Best Recording for Children.

08
of 09

'Off The Wall' featured first Michael Jackson/Paul McCartney collaboration

Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson. Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images

The very successful Michael Jackson/Paul McCartney association began with McCartney's song "Girlfriend" that Jackson recorded for Off The Wall. McCartney initially composed the song for Jackson, however he first recorded the tune with his group Wings for their 1978 London Town album. The duo recorded the gold number one duet "The Girl Is Mine" as the first single from Thriller, and also the platinum single "Say Say Say" for McCartney's Pipes of Peace album.

09
of 09

'Off The Wall' reunited Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder

Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images

Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson began their long association as young stars for Motown Records in the 1960s. Wonder composed the song "I Can't Help It" for Off The Wall. They also recorded "Just Good Friends' for Jackson's 1987 Bad album, and "Get It" for Wonder's 1987 Characters album. .