The songs ain’t mine…
Videos by American Songwriter
Somewhere amidst the sensationalism surrounding Michael Jackson’s untimely death, a rumor has been circulating concerning the fate of his 50% stake in Sony/ATV publishing rights. The speculation apparently originated early this year when British tabloid The Mirror reported that the King of Pop would “bury his 24-year feud with Sir Paul McCartney – by leaving his share of the Beatles back catalogue to him in his will.”
Jackson and McCartney’s relationship has been somewhat strained since they recorded hits together like “Say, Say, Say” and “The Girl Is Mine.” Still, McCartney claims, “we never really fell out, and I have fond memories of our time together.” While Paul kept quiet until Jackson’s will was released, he did make a point to set the record straight. In a statement on his website, he asserted that all the hearsay “was completely made up and something I didn’t believe for a second.”
Though Jackson has amassed a significant debt in recent years, his claim in Sony/ATV was a valuable one that included rights to songs by Eminem, Bob Dylan, and the Beatles. Rolling Stone reports that his share could yield upwards of $500 million per year. This fortune, along with all of his assets, will be bequeathed to the Jackson Family Trust.
Rumors about Jackson will continue to buzz longer than any of us would like. McCartney advises simply, “Don’t believe everything you read folks!”
