You have to understand that his later fame was built upon his first fame (with the Jackson Five), then continued fame with The Jacksons, then on his massive solo effort (Off the Wall), all before Thriller raised his fame to a whole other level. The Jackson Five / the Jacksons honed his singing, dancing and entertaining skills before live audiences, and then the combination of Thriller and videos on MTV from Thriller and then the live performance at the Motown 25th anniversary TV special captured the public like no artist since Elvis or The Beatles. His eccentricities added to his fame, and Bad and Dangerous kept the fire lit. Even Janet Jackson, with her own megahit albums, added to his fame. It was like nothing could stop him and then the allegations and surgeries and suits sullied it all for quite a while.