Star to top charts again

AT Amoeba Records on LA’s Sunset Boulevard, a run on Michael Jackson’s back catalogue has led to a frantic search to replenish stocks.

Within an hour of the death being announced the singer’s section at the large record shop was empty, forcing staff to head to the warehouse to search for the odd copy of Thriller that might be hidden away.

But last night they were still struggling to keep up with demand and eagerly awaiting a big shipment today of Jackson albums.

Timothy Latham was one of the staff members on duty when news broke that the King of Pop was dead.

“It was insane, there were mobs here. We sold out in less than an hour,” the tired looking sales clerk said.

He continued: “On Friday it was almost as bad, it took two-and-half hours to sell out.”

Additional supplies found in the warehouse have meant that some titles have been able to be replenished, but people wanting some of Jackson’s big releases may have to wait for a couple more days before getting their desired album.

“On Tuesday there will be a big shipment of everything,” the record shop worker said.

The surge in Jackson sales pretty much ensures that he will be returned to the top of the Billboard charts next week. An article on the US chart compiler’s website notes that many retailers ran out of all Jackson stock on Thursday night.

But despite the supply and demand problems, the article confidently predicts that the King of Pop will dominate the forthcoming album charts.

“Initial reports of Jackson’s album sales from Thursday alone indicate that one of his albums – possibly Number Ones – will easily fly to number one on the chart next week,” Billboard’s Keith Caulfield wrote.

Classic albums Thriller, Off the Wall and Bad also look set for a chart return.