Michael Jackson’s posthumous millions

1
Michael Jackson Bad tour

If you haven’t had a chance to purchase ‘Michael’ yet, then click here to stream the album in its entirety.

2
Jackson Album Sales

The first single to be released from the album, called ‘Hold My Hand’, is a duet with Akon. The music video can be viewed here – it was filmed in California and features real Jackson fans as its cast.

3
30th Annual Grammy Awards

The video’s director Mark Pellington says, “The video is a tribute to all that Michael stands for – life, in all its permutations… a video of memory, healing and joy.”

Advertisement

4
Michael Jackson Memorial Service

When Michael Jackson died on 25 June, 2009 he was survived by three children. His daughter Paris reportedly turned her bedroom into a shrine to her father, with pictures of him hanging on her walls.

5
MICHAEL JACKSON

One song on the album, called ‘(I Can’t Make It) Another Day’, features Lenny Kravitz (who wrote and co-produced it). Recorded during Jackson’s ‘Invincible Era’, the track unexpectedly leaked in 2008, so Kravitz decided to complete it. The song also features Dave Grohl on drums.

6
MICHAEL JACKSON

According to Teddy Riley, one of Jackson’s producers, more previously unheard material from is set to be released. Riley worked on three of the tracks on ‘Michael’, and he told the BBC, “I look forward to doing the next one and I’m glad I’m on board.”

7
Music – Jackson 5

Another song from the album, ‘Much Too Soon’, was written at the time of ‘Thriller’. Jackson had liked the song, but was never able to find an album to fit it into. It was written by Jackson, co-produced with John McClain and features David Campbell on strings.

Advertisement

8
Michael Jackson

50 Cent, one of the contributors on ‘Michael’, has called the album “the 2010 version of ‘Thriller.”

9
 

The DVD of ‘This Is It’ was released in March and has earned more than $250 million worldwide. Michael Jackson was recently recognised by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences with a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for his recording of ‘This Is It!’.

10
JACKSON CONCERT

In addition to the millions of album sales, more than 40 million songs and 4.5 million ringtones have been downloaded since Jackson’s death.

11
 

Custom-made furniture Jackson had ordered for his mansion in England were auctioned off in Las Vegas after his death. Jackson reportedly spent $700,000 (£466,600) on the 22 pieces of furniture. All profits were given to the Jackson family.

Advertisement

12
 

Sheryl Crow, who toured with Jackson in the 1980s, said: “Like so many other people, I didn’t really weigh the importance of his presence until he was gone. The Jackson 5’s ‘ABC’ record was the first album I ever owned, and Michael ended up giving me my first gig as a back-up singer.”

13
 

It is estimated that Jackson’s estate generated at least $1 billion (£675m) last year, meaning that Michael became the world’s top earning dead celebrity, outranking designer Yves Saint Laurent. Nearly $200 million of Jackson’s $500 million debt has been paid off.

14
star studded Brit Award ceremony – London

Mayor Rudy Clay of Gary, Indiana (Jackson’s hometown) announced plans to erect a $300 million museum and performance complex in the singer’s name. It will take between three and five years to complete, and groundbreaking is expected in early 2011.

15
Music – Jackson 5

Billboard projects that through the rest of 2010, the release of ‘Michael’ will boost sales of his music enough for Jackson to account for 2.7% of Sony’s full year sales and 22% of Epic’s sales.

16
Music – Michael Jackson ‘Bad Tour’ – Wembley Stadium – London

During a recent auction in Beverly Hills, California, Jackson’s famous glove, which he wore during his ‘Bad’ tour in the late ‘80s, sold for a $330,000, while a signed jacket went for $96,000 and one of Jackson’s fedoras was purchased for $72,000.

17
Michael Jackson dies aged 50

Figures are also estimated at 400,000 copies of ‘Michael’ sold in its first week of release, according to Billboard. Sony projects that CD sales in the first week could total 340,000 with another 60,000 in the form of digital album sales.

Advertisement
Advertisement