The Wiz (film) certain we didn't use anything from it. They made a brilliant movie, and even though our concept is different – they're Kansas, we're New York; they're white, we're black, and the score and the books are totally different – we wanted to make sure that we never overlapped in any area." Michael Jackson, a former Motown star and close friend of Diana Ross was cast as the Scarecrow. By the start of development on "The Wiz" in 1977, he and his brothers The Jacksons, had left Motown for Epic Records, though Jackson had yet to make a solo album since
50 Best Songs – The Motown Years: Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5 50 Best Songs – The Motown Years: Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5 50 Best Songs – The Motown Years: Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5 (also known as 50 Best Songs or The Motown Years) is a 3-disc compilation box set by American singer Michael Jackson, and the group The Jackson 5, released on 2008 by Universal Motown Records celebrating Jackson's 50 birthday. The 50-track album features all of the hits through the Motown years from both the Jackson 5 with "ABC", "I Want You Back", "Never Can Say Goodbye" and Michael's solo material including "You've Got a Friend",