In the wake of Billboard Magazine‘s cover story on the late Michael Jackson, revealing that the late “King of Pop” generated an estimated $1 billion in revenue since his death, Canadian businessman Howard Mann has announced the existence of nearly 300 unreleased recordings of the Jackson 5.
Mann purchased a warehouse of belongings of Katharine and her then-husband Joe Jackson, the parents of Michael Jackson and his brothers. The couple filed for bankruptcy in 1999, which led to the loss of their possessions to Mann.
He claims he is in a business relationship with Katharine Jackson, who inherited the bulk of her late son Michael’s estate and is his executor. Katherine also is the permanent guardian of the King of Pop’s three children.
Joe Jackson, who was left out of Michael’s will, has publicly blamed Katharine for his son’s death, and the two are involved in litigation.
Litigation
Howard Mann announced that he has master recordings of 273 unreleased Jackson 5 music tracks. The tracks include solos by Michael and duets with other famous pop stars. The bulk of the tracks were cut for the 1976 TV series The Jacksons, a musical variety show featuring the Jackson family.
The 12-episode series ran as a summer replacement show during the Bicentennial Year.
Mann had acquired the contents of the warehouse during a bankruptcy auction. To exploit the items in his physical possession, he struck up a relationship with Katharine. So far, Mann has produced a coffee table book about the Jackson family, Never Can Say Goodbye: The Katherine Jackson Archives, which will go on sale at the end of June.
However, the lawyer for the Michael Jackson estate recently revealed that Katharine plans on suing Mann.
The Michael Jackson estate, after the King of Pop’s death, signed a contract with Sony worth an esimated $200-250 million to produce 10 albums over eight years culled from The Gloved One’s unreleased material.
The potential revenues from the unreleased Jackson 5 tracks might prove too lucrative to let Mann have a large share.
Mann has said he has struck a deal with Katharine Jackson to turn the unreleased Jackson 5 tracks into albums, but one of the Michael Jackson estate’s lawyer issued a press release stating that Mann has not been given any rights “to exploit any estate assets.” The estate plans to implement “whatever action is necessary to prevent him from unlawfully profiting.”
Katharine Jackson also is suing her ex-husband Joe, whom the King of Pop left out of his will. Joe, who had managed the Jackson 5, has blamed Katharine for his son’s death.
Michael Jackson’s father has been portrayed in the press as a tyrant who was deeply resented by his son. The King of Pop claimed publicly his father made him physically sick during a lonely childhood in which he and his brothers were physically abused by Joe. He ultimately forgave his father.
Sources:
Billboard Magazine, How Michael Jackson Made $1 Billion Since His Death
Sawf News, Michael Jackson’s estate to go after Katherine’s business partner
Showbusiness 411, Jackson Five Surprise! 273 New Tracks Discovered
TMZ.com, Jackson Estate Ready to Pounce on Profiteer
