Efforts to auction “extremely rare and unreleased” recordings by the late Michael Jackson have been thwarted by the singer’s estate. Last month, auction house Gotta Have Rock and Roll revealed plans to auction over two dozen master tapes, believed to be recorded by the Thriller singer in 1994 at The Hit Factory in New York. Valued at up to $4,000 per tape, the auction faced legal challenges as attorneys acting on behalf of the Jackson Estate argued that the recordings were unlawfully obtained.
Lawyer Jonathan Steinsapir issued a letter on November 29, obtained by Billboard, demanding that Gotta Have Rock and Roll “cease and desist from any and all efforts to further auction these tapes” and promptly return the recordings. The letter asserted that Michael Jackson and his record company, Sony Music Entertainment, had never authorized the sale or giveaway of master tapes from recording sessions at The Hit Factory or elsewhere. It emphatically claimed that the tapes were stolen property belonging to the Jackson Estate.
Despite the legal warning, Gotta Have Rock and Roll appeared undeterred, with attorney Alex Spiro informing the estate through an email that they would not comply with the demands. The email further revealed the auction house’s intention to seek a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in New York Supreme Court, with court action scheduled for December 13.
The legal battle raises questions about the ownership and authenticity of the contested recordings, adding a layer of complexity to the legacy of Michael Jackson’s unreleased works. As fans and the music industry closely watch developments, the estate’s determination to protect the late singer’s intellectual property underscores the ongoing challenges faced by posthumous management of iconic artists’ legacies. The court proceedings on December 13 will likely provide more insight into the fate of these rare recordings and the broader implications for the handling of unreleased material from legendary artists.
