Michael Jackson wasn’t just the King of Pop—he was one of the smartest businessmen in music history. While most artists focused on making hits, MJ was thinking about ownership, and in 1985, he pulled off a move so brilliant that it left even The Beatles’ Paul McCartney speechless.
It all started in the early ‘80s when Michael and Paul McCartney became friends. They recorded hit songs like Say Say Say and The Girl Is Mine, and during their time together, McCartney casually told MJ about the power of music publishing—how owning song rights meant serious money.
Michael listened. And then, in 1985, he made a move no one saw coming.
ATV Music, the company that owned The Beatles’ entire song catalog, was up for sale. While other investors hesitated, MJ made a bold offer—$47.5 million—and won. Overnight, he became the owner of over 250 Beatles songs, including Hey Jude, Let It Be, and Yesterday. youtube.com/@behindthemelody_
According to PMA Magazine, Michael Jackson’s purchase of The Beatles’ catalog for $47.5 million in 1985 significantly impacted his friendship with Paul McCartney. Over time, the value of the catalog soared, leading to Sony acquiring Jackson’s remaining stake for $750 million in 2016.
Why This Move Was Genius..
At the time, people thought Jackson overpaid. But as the years passed, the value of The Beatles’ catalog skyrocketed. By the 2000s, his purchase was worth hundreds of millions. In 1995, MJ merged ATV with Sony’s publishing, forming Sony/ATV, one of the most powerful music catalogs in history.
For years, Jackson collected royalties off The Beatles’ songs—something that didn’t sit well with Paul McCartney. Their friendship never recovered.
The Final Payoff: A $750 Million Legacy
Despite financial struggles in the late 2000s, Michael held onto his music publishing empire. It wasn’t until after his passing in 2009 that Sony bought his 50% share for $750 million—making it one of the most profitable investments in music history.
Michael Jackson didn’t just make hits—he owned them. And in doing so, he played the industry better than anyone before or after him.
