Sony/ATV Music Publishing has extended its deal with the Estate of Michael Jackson for the worldwide administration of the King of Pop's Mijac Music catalogue.
Founded by Jackson in 1980 as his personal publishing company, Mijac Music includes all songs written by the late singer and grew to include the Sly And The Family Stone catalogue and songs by the Philadelphia soul team of Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, as well as songs made famous by other artists such as Ray Charles, Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin.
The company went on to acquire some of the most iconic songs in rock, pop and soul music history, including Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now, Great Balls of Fire, (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher, If You Don’t Know Me By Now, Runaround Sue, Shake, Rattle and Roll, The Wanderer and You Don’t Know Me.
“Michael Jackson’s Mijac catalog is one of the most significant and valuable in music," said Sony/ATV chairman and CEO Martin Bandier. "Michael’s songwriting talents are respected and admired by everyone, but I also want to acknowledge his gifts as a smart businessman who put together an incredible catalog of classic songs. His Estate continues to further his vision and we are privileged to be the administrators of such an important collection of songs.”
John Branca and John McClain, co-executors of the Estate of Michael Jackson, added: “The incredible songs in the Mijac Music catalog showcase Michael’s creative genius as a songwriter, and further, his acumen in understanding the creative and commercial value of these acclaimed third party songs. We trust in Martin Bandier’s leadership and in his team. The music of the greatest entertainer that ever lived, Michael Jackson, is in the hands of the #1 publishing company in the world.”
