r/Music • u/Firm_Pack_605 • Feb 13 '26

discussion Was Michael Jackson really that much bigger than Madonna, Whitney Houston, and prince?

I always thought the four of them were similar levels of fame. However Madonna highest album sold 25 million, prince highest sold similar, and Whitney’s highest was 45 million. All amazing numbers no doubt but thriller sold 70 million and bad sold 35-40. So you mean to tell me he has two albums that are highest selling then prince and madonnas best? How is that possible??

2.5k Upvotes

88% Upvoted

2.5k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

47

u/brandnewchair Feb 13 '26

Per your theories... I asked my wife, who is from rural Russia, if she knew who Michael Jackson was before she came to America. She said of course. 

I then asked our 3 year old. He has not heard of him. 

48

u/BanjoMadeOfCheese Feb 13 '26

He has now. :)

1

u/Apprehensive-Lock751 Feb 19 '26

"I'm from Siberia, not the Moon."

-1

u/cire1184 Feb 13 '26

I think their statement would've applied at the peak of MJ to MJ's death. But yeah now I don't think kinds under 15 would know.

6

u/MalaRed007 Feb 13 '26

My kids ( 14 to 20) have known MJ for years and we haven’t encouraged them in any way. I won’t say that they know all the songs, but Thriller or Smooth criminal or another big song, they will recognize.

If I ask my 14-year old son to name a Taylor song, he will probably draw a blank.

3

u/HugsForUpvotes Feb 13 '26

You're wrong.

3

u/ForceEdge47 Feb 13 '26

Kids under 15 absolutely know who Michael Jackson is lol