Sony/ATV and Michael Jackson Estate Extend Mijac Admin Deal

Sony/ATV Music Publishing and the Estate of Michael Jackson have announced a long-term extension of Sony/ATV’s worldwide administration of Michael Jackson’s extraordinary Mijac Music catalogue.

Founded by Michael Jackson in 1980 as his personal publishing company, Mijac Music grew to be one of the greatest catalogues in popular music, and includes – in addition to the universally acclaimed songs written by the King of Pop – the classic Sly and the Family Stone catalogue and songs by the legendary 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.   

Sony/ATV Chairman and CEO Martin Bandier said: “Michael Jackson’s Mijac catalogue is one of the most significant and valuable in music. 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 catalogue 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.”

Commenting on the deal, John Branca and John McClain, co-executors of the Estate of Michael Jackson, remarked: “The incredible songs in the Mijac Music catalogue 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.”

The Mijac catalogue includes all of the songs written by the legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson, including “Another Part Of Me,” “Bad,” “Beat It,” “Billie Jean,” “Black or White,” “Can You Feel It,” “Dangerous,” “Dirty Diana,” “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” “Earth Song,” “Heal the World,” “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” “Jam,”  Scream,” “Smooth Criminal,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “They Don’t Care About Us,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” “We Are the World”  and “Say Say Say” and “The Girl Of Mine,” the latter two of which he recorded with Sir Paul McCartney.

Jackson’s first acquisition in 1983 was the catalogue of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist Sylvester Stewart, aka, Sly Stone. The catalogue includes Sly and the Family Stone hits such as “Dance To the Music,” “Everybody is a Star,” “Everyday People,” “Family Affair,” “Hot Fun in the Summertime,” “Stand”, and more.

Thereafter, Mijac went on to acquire some of the most iconic songs in rock, pop and soul music history, including “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now,” “After Midnight,” “Ease on Down the Road,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher,” “I Got A Woman,” “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” “Love Train,” “Mr. Bojangles,” “People Get Ready,” “Runaround Sue,” “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” “Sixteen Candles,” “The Wanderer,” “What’d I Say,” “When a Man Loves a Woman” and “You Don’t Know Me”.