Pop icon Michael Jackson shared a strong friendship with former Beatles bassist Paul McCartney, one that even led to a number of creative collaborations. But that relationship came to an abrupt end in 1985 when Jackson somewhat brutally paid $47.5 million to acquire the publishing rights to The Beatles’ back catalogue, outbidding McCartney in the process.
The move, unsurprisingly, infuriated McCartney, especially as he had been the one to alert Jackson to the auction in the first place. The former Beatle understandably felt betrayed, and, judging by a series of letters Jackson wrote at the time – in which he tears into The Beatles, Elvis Presley and Bruce Springsteen – there was clearly no love lost.
The letters were unearthed by a British red-top newspaper and published for the first time in recent years, offering a rare glimpse into Jackson’s frustrations as a Black artist trying to thrive in a white-dominated industry. He wrote candidly about how white artists had been branded as cultural kings, while their Black counterparts struggled for recognition.
Jackson took issue with figures like Elvis being called ‘The King of Rock and Roll’ and Springsteen being dubbed ‘The Boss’. He – the man actually labelled The King of Pop – believed there were Black artists who were just as, if not more, talented but who were denied the same acclaim.
His critique of The Beatles’ global success, built in part on Black musical foundations, echoed a point John Lennon had made himself. In a 1975 interview on The Tomorrow Show, Lennon admitted: “The Beatles just carried it a bit further, made it a bit more white, even more than Elvis did, because we were English.”
Michael Jackson’s fight against racial bias in music
In his letters, Jackson wrote: “Throughout history, white men have always branded the pages of history with Great White Hopes… Elvis being the King of Rock and Roll, Springsteen being The Boss, and The Beatles being the best.” He did find time to praise The Beatles, though, saying they “were good”, but added that “they weren’t better singers or dancers than the Blacks”.
Jackson claimed the media was controlled by white interests and could “make the public believe whatever they desire”. He pledged to change that through his art, writing: “I will change this NOW with the power of my songs and dance and looks and total reclusiveness and mystery world. I will rule as the King.”
He dismissed Elvis’ claim to that title and vowed to “show Springsteen who’s boss”. Jackson admitted to being “very angry” but insisted that his end goal was to inspire unity, saying: “White children can have Black heroes so they don’t grow up prejudiced.”
“My goal is to become so ‘Big’, so powerful. To become such a hero, to end prejudice. To make these little white kids love me by selling over 200,000,000 albums,” he wrote. “All of this put a fire in me… I did it over anger. To get even. To prove myself. I love white people, Black people, all races. I want what’s fair. Now is the time for my kingship forever. I want all races to love as one.”
While Jackson’s tone was cutting in places, his broader message was one of empowerment and equity. He made it clear that if he had to fight harder than his white peers to reach the top, he would, so long as it meant breaking down barriers along the way.