It’s hard to believe Michael Jackson’s Thriller is 25 years old—seems like yesterday I was throwing a Thriller party for my seventh birthday.

The Quincy Jones-produced masterpiece still pops today and stands as a creative pinnacle in the career of an artist who in the decades since became a caricature, and later downright freak of Howard-Hughes proportions.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the biggest selling album of all time, Legacy Recordings (Epic Records) has reissued the CD with new packaging, a bonus DVD, and remixes by Kanye West, Fergie, and Akon.

Meanwhile, the former king of pop’s Web site, Michaeljackson.com, is presenting ”Thrillercast," a year-long podcast series featuring music icons and celebrities talking about the album and how it influenced their lives.

The first episode is available today and features Darryl McDaniels of Run-D.M.C. Check it out. Sham-on.

Postscript: Rommie contends that 1979’s Off The Wall was Michael’s creative peak.