Michael Jackson

Off the Wall is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was released on August 10, 1979 by Epic Records following Jackson’s critically well-received film performance in The Wiz. While working on that project, Jackson and Quincy Jones had become friends, and Jones agreed to work with Jackson on his next studio album. Recording sessions took place between December 1978 and June 1979 at Allen Zentz Recording, Westlake Recording Studios, and Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles, California. Jackson collaborated with a number of other writers and performers such as Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Rod Temperton. Five singles were released from the album. Three of the singles had music videos released. Jackson wrote three of the songs himself, including the Platinum-certified lead single, “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”. It was his first solo release under Epic Records, the label he would record on until his death in 2009.

With Off the Wall, Jackson became the first solo artist to have four singles from the same album peak inside the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. The album was an enormous commercial success; as of 2014 it is certified 8 x Platinum in the United States and has reportedly sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best selling albums of all time.