It’s been 40 years since michael jackson released their landmark album Thrillerand to celebrate how influential the record has been in pop culture to this day, Maxwell delivered a touching performance of “Lady in My Life” at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday night (May 15).

Dressed in a sparkling MJ-inspired jacket, gloves and tie, Maxwell delivered the romantic lyrics that had fans falling in love with the late icon for decades. “Baby through the years / Gonna love you more every day / So I promise you tonight / You’ll always be the woman of my life,” he sang in the chorus, backed by a soulful band.

On the Billboard graphics, the iconic Thriller became the first album to generate seven top 10s on the Billboard Hot 100 – with “Billie Jean” and “Beat It” at number one. The album spent a staggering 37 weeks atop the Billboard 200. At the Grammys in 1984, Thriller won seven awards, including album and record of the year (“Beat It”).

Jackson’s landmark 1982 album title was penned by Rod Temperton, while his beloved chilling video was inducted into the National Film Preservation Board’s National Film Registry. “Thriller” returns frequently to the Hot 100 around Halloween, giving Jackson a solo Hot 100 top 20 song throughout the 1970s, 80s, 90s, 2000s, 10s and 20s.

In 1992, the BBMAs presented a special award in honor of Thriller10th anniversary.

Watch Maxwell’s performance below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX2vThYDwqA

The Billboard Music Awards are produced by MRC Live & Alternative, a division of MRC. MRC and Penske Media are co-parent companies of Billboard.