Jackson suffered a setback to his health
He donated his $5 million share from the
on January 27, 1984. While filming a
Victory Tour to charity. He also co-wrote the
Pepsi Cola commercial, overseen by ex-
charity single "We Are the World" in 1985
ecutive Philip Dusenberry, at the Shrine
with Lionel Richie, which was released
Auditorium in Los Angeles, he suffered
worldwide to aid the poor in the U.S. and
second degree burns to his scalp after py-
Africa. It became one of the best-selling sin-
rotechnics accidentally set his hair on
gles of all time, with nearly 20 million cop-
fire. Happening in front of a full house of
ies sold and millions of dollars donated to
fans during a simulated concert, the inci-
famine relief.
dent elicited an outpouring of sympathy.

Jackson had his third rhinoplasty shortly
While working with Paul McCartney on the
thereafter, and began treatment to hide
two hit singles "The Girl Is Mine" (1982)
the scars on his scalp. Pepsi settled out of
and "Say Say Say" (1983), the pair became
court, and Jackson donated his
friendly. McCartney told Jackson about the
$1.5 million settlement to the Brotman
large amount of money he earned from own-
Medical Center in Culver City, Califor-
ing music catalogs; he was earning approxi-
nia, which now has a "Michael Jackson
mately $40 million a year from other peo-
Burn Center".
ple's songs. Jackson subsequently began

buying, selling, and distributing publishing

rights to music from numerous artists. In

1985, ATV Music, a music publishing com-

pany owning thousands of music copyrights,

including the Northern Songs catalogue that

contained the majority of the Lennon-

McCartney compositions recorded by The

Beatles, was put up for sale. Jackson took an

immediate interest in the catalog, but was

warned he would face strong competition.

Excited, he skipped around saying, "I don't

care. I want those songs. Get me those songs
On May 14, 1984, he was invited to the
Branca [his attorney]". Branca contacted
White House to receive an award from
McCartney's attorney, who clarified that his
President Ronald Reagan for his support
client was not interested in bidding: "It's too
of charities that helped people overcome
pricey". After Jackson had started negotia-
alcohol and drug abuse. Jackson won
tions, McCartney changed his mind and tried
eight awards during the Grammys that
to persuade Yoko Ono to join him in a joint
year. Unlike later albums, Thriller did
bid, but she declined, so he pulled out. Jack-
not have an official tour to promote it,
son eventually beat the rest of the competi-
but the 1984 Victory Tour, headlined by
tion in negotiations that lasted 10 months,
The Jacksons, showcased much of Jack-
purchasing the catalog for $47.5 million.
son's new solo material to more than two
million Americans. .
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