Michael Jackson’s Estate has succeeded in having some “extremely rare” unreleased recordings removed from being sold.
Last month, Gotta Have Rock and Roll announced plans to auction off more than two dozen master tapes purportedly recorded by the late ‘Thriller’ singer at New York’s The Hit Factory in 1994 – and expected to fetch up to $4,000 for each tape. However, lawyers acting on behalf of the estate threatened to sue, arguing that the recordings were “unquestionably stolen”.
A November 29 letter from attorney Jonathan Steinsapir, obtained by Billboard, demanded that the company “cease and desist from any and all efforts to auction these tapes” and return the recordings immediately.
The letter continued: “Neither Michael Jackson nor his record company, Sony Music Entertainment, has ever sold or given away any master tapes from his recording sessions at The Hit Factory (or anywhere else).
“These tapes were undoubtedly stolen or otherwise taken without authorization. Accordingly, they are the property of the Jackson Estate.
But the letter seemed to have no effect, and so this week attorney Alex Spiro emailed the auction house’s attorney, noting that the company had already informed the estate that it “will not comply with these claims.
They wrote: “We are writing to inform you that we intend to seek a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in New York Supreme Court tomorrow (December 13). Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.”
By Wednesday (13Dec23), the tapes had been removed from sale, although Gotta Have Rock and Roll are still selling a number of other items related to the “Bad” singer, including a “circa 1984 owned + worn red, military-style jacket” which they estimate will sell for over $10,000.
