Alongside Diana Ross, Michael Jackson starred as the scarecrow in the 1978 movie The Wiz. The musical is an adaptation of Frank L Baum's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and featured an entirely African American cast. Although it was a massive flop, both critically and commercially, the film role proved to be a very fruitful experience after he met the man who scored it, Quincy Jones. The two immediately bonded and Michael asked Jones to produce his upcoming fifth solo album.

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