In late 1981, two of the most famous superstars on the planet, Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney, were laughing together while recording their massive hit “Say Say Say.” During a quiet break, Paul pulled out a thick leather notebook. He proudly showed Michael his vast music publishing portfolio, explaining how incredibly lucrative it was to own other people’s songs.
Michael listened intently, a smile spreading across his face. Then, he looked straight at the former Beatle and joked, “One day, I’m gonna own your songs.”
Nobody realized that a simple conversation was about to spark the most dramatic, high-stakes business move in entertainment history. Michael wasn’t just a nervous kid anymore. He was a confident genius, and he was just getting started.
Paul McCartney Reflects On His Feud With Michael Jackson Over The Beatles Catalog
A bold claim from comedian Eddie Griffin is stirring up huge conversations online right now. He suggests Michael Jackson’s music empire extended much deeper than people realized, allegedly earning from major modern artists like Jay-Z and Beyoncé through complex publishing ties. But the wildest part of the internet rumor focuses on a legendary flashback: Michael acquiring The Beatles’ catalog and using it to save rock-and-roll pioneer Little Richard.
So, what is the real story behind this historic corporate battle?
Michael Jackson bought the Beatles’ catalog in 1985 from Australian businessman Robert Holmes à Court, whose company, ATV Music Publishing, owned the publishing rights at the time. Michael’s smart attorneys spent nearly a year quietly negotiating the deal.
On August 14, 1985, Michael finalized a shocking, historic move. He outbid every corporate competitor and purchased the entire catalog for a staggering $47.5 million!
Did he actually betray Paul McCartney? The truth is smooth, but it permanently fractured their famous friendship. Paul felt totally blindsided, claiming a close friend shouldn’t buy the rug they are standing on. But the reality was simple business. Paul had been offered the chance to buy the songs first. He refused because he felt the price tag was far too high for music he had written for nothing as a young man.
Michael Jackson Returned Little Richard His Publishing Rights After Buying The Beatles.
The viral internet rumors claim Michael bought the catalog just because it included Little Richard’s rights, immediately giving them back for free. But the real history is much more inspiring.
The Beatles never owned Little Richard’s music. However, the ATV catalog did hold his early foundational rock-and-roll hits. Little Richard was a flamboyant, boundary-pushing pioneer who laid the precise blueprint for rock, soul, and funk with timeless tracks like “Tutti Frutti.” He was the true “Architect of Rock and Roll.”
But like many Black pioneers of the 1950s, he had been exploited by a harsh industry, signing away his rights for pennies early in his career.
Michael Jackson and Little Richard shared a deep, mutual bond rooted in their identities as transformative Black artists. As a child star who grew up grinding in that same tough industry, Michael felt a profound empathy for older icons who had been cheated out of their wealth. In fact, Michael openly admitted that his famous, signature vocal “hee-hee” and “wooo” ad-libs were directly adapted from Little Richard’s iconic style!
Michael did not just sign over the master rights for free. Instead, he willed a much more meaningful solution into reality. He gave Little Richard a lifelong writing job at his publishing company. He completely restructured the old royalty payouts, using his own money to ensure his musical hero was finally compensated properly for his legendary work.