Did Michael Jackson Will Paul McCartney back his Beatles Songs?
Remember the reports earlier this year that Michael Jackson was to will his ownership the Beatles Publishing Catalog back to Paul McCartney? Will McCartney now get his songs back?
Today, Paul McCartney’s homepage simply says…
“It’s so sad and shocking. I feel privileged to have hung out and worked with Michael. He was a massively talented boy man with a gentle soul. His music will be remembered forever and my memories of our time together will be happy ones. I send my deepest sympathy to his mother and the whole family and to his countless fans all around the world.”
Very diplomatic of Sir Paul considering how his one-time friend and musical collaborator later stabbed him in his Back-in-the-USSR. McCartney often told the story of how he gave Jackson some older-brotherly advice telling the gloved-one he should invest in something he loves like Music Publishing. McCartney was certain his friend and collaborator was joking when Jackson said, “One day I’m going to buy your songs Paul”.
Only Jackson wasn’t joking. In 1985, Michael Jackson outbid Paul McCartney and paid 47.5 Million for the Beatles Publishing Catalog.
But now, the Beatles Publishing future is uncertain after Jackson’s death.
Last January, The U.K.’s Daily Mirror reported that a Jackson insider had stated, “Michael told his lawyers he was sad he no longer talks to Sir Paul and said he wanted to make things right.” Is it possible Jackson foresaw his early death later the same year and wanted to correct his earlier wrong doing?
But who really owns the catalog now? Was Jackson able to hold onto his investment despite his recent financial downfall? Jackson sold 50% to Sony but held onto the other half of the publishing catalog.
However, according to a 2002 lawsuit filed by a creditor, Michael later used his music shares to secure a 270 Million Dollar loan. By 2005, The Wall Street Journal reported Jackson racked up 500 Million in debt.
It is possible the shares in Beatle’s publishing will go to some creditor. Or, perhaps back to his onetime friend and mentor Paul McCartney. Keep those fingers crossed.
McCartney and Jackson’s collaboration started after Paul wrote “Girlfriend” from his London Town album with Jackson in mind. Jackson’s producer Quincy Jones suggested to Michael that he record the song for his first album “Off the Wall”. Jackson didn’t use the song, but thought of Paul for his next album “Thriller”.
So, McCartney and Jackson worked together in 1982 on Jackson’s “This Girl is Mine” for the Thriller album. Then they worked together again in 1983, this time for McCartney’s “Say Say Say” from the Pipes of Peace Album.
After they had their bidding war over the Beatle’s Publishing Catalog, they reportedly never spoke again.
Even after death, Michael continues to dish up the strangest stories.
Pete the Beatle Geek
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http://www.BeatlesGifts.com
Paul McCartney Gives his Friend a Brotherly Pat on the Back While Michael Jackson Prepares to Sucker Punch Paul.
Beatles News | Beatle Geek Pete
Beatles, Beatles Gifts, Beatles Publishing, Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson Will, Paul McCartney
Why did he have to steal Pauls songs. He was supposed to be his friend
Michael shall be missed, his music lives on
I just Googled for sympathy gifts and Got your Page.Your Post Did Michael Jackson Will Paul McCartney back his Beatles Songs? | Beatles Gifts, News & Merchandise is really Nice.Thanks
yeah i know why did he have to steal the beatles songs cause i mean if yoko ,olivia/dhani,ringo,or paul would have the songs its allright cause well they are part of the beatles but michael what!!! its so unfair..!
Michael Jackson didn’t steal anything. Paul was offered the songs for $20 million. He asked Yoko to go in $10 million each. She said no. She felt they could get them for $5 million each. Michael had the entire ATV collection appraised and came to the conclusion that both Paul & Yoko were nuts and had seriously undervalued the worth of the catalog. He was right. The bidding topped out at over $50 million. Michael Jackson wasn’t even the top bid. He was second, but his bid offered the most up front cash, so he got them for $47.5 million. They went on to be worth over $1 billion in time. Both Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono had the money to get them if they really wanted them. They were too cheap. Then Paul spent the next 20 years bad mouthing MJ to distract from his own stupidity. Sorry, but sometimes the truth hurts.
You kill me Pete.
The truth hurts.. oh please guy. The point you are missing is plain and simple.Even if Paul and Yoko under valued the catalog and it was sold to some one else..and there is the key word SOMEONE ELSE.Paul at least could have probably dealt with it a little better knowing he wasn’t back stabbed by his very good PAL!!. Ethics my friend Ethics. If the tables were turned McCartney would not have done it to Jackson. Paul has class and is a real musician. When Jackson died he didn’t see the Lord first he saw John Lennon.