Michael Jackson releases “Ben” LP — original “Rats Cover” withdrawn

Michael’s second solo album, Ben, is released. The original cover artwork pictured a horde of rats superimposed on the bottom of his portrait — a literal nod to the title song, which is the theme to the 1972 horror film of the same name (a sequel to Willard). The cover is withdrawn shortly after release following complaints that children found the rats disturbing, and replaced with the now-familiar portrait-only cover. The original “Rats Cover” remains a much sought-after collectors’ item to this day.