Michael Jackson is planning to make amends with former pal Sir Paul McCartney – by leaving his share of the Beatles back catalog to him in his will, according to reports.
Sir Paul, 66, was furious when the eccentric star outbid him in 1985 to win ownership of the $700million publishing rights to the whole Lennon-McCartney songbook
The pair – who collaborated on early 80s hits The Girl is Mine and Say, Say, Say – have not spoken since.
Jackson sold half of his Beatles back catalog rights to Sony in 1995, but still makes about $80million a year from them.
Sir Paul said recently, “The annoying thing is I have to pay to play some of my own songs. Each time I want to sing Hey Jude I have to pay.”
Jackson – who is widely reported to be suffering from a serious genetic lung disease – is now determined to put an end to his 24-year-long feud with McCartney.
A source tells Britain’s Sunday Mirror newspaper, “Michael is worried about his health so decided it was time to look at his finances.
“Most of his estate has been divided up between his three children. But Michael told his lawyers he was sad he no longer talks to Sir Paul and said he wanted to make things right.
“Michael is suffering serious back and leg pain and has for a few years. He gets spasms in his back which means he spends a lot of time in bed and a wheelchair.
“He weighs just over seven stone and is very frail. He’s also had a nasty bout of emphysema and there have been reports he has another lung disease.”
Last night a source close to Sir Paul said, “If Michael Jackson was to give back the song rights in his will then Macca would be delighted.”
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