Among the multitude of credits that Quincy Jones has collected over the years are three iconic albums from the late-Michael Jackson, Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad.
According to Jones, he is owed at least $10 million in royalties from the estate of Jackson and Sony Music Entertainment, saying that he has never been paid for the edited tracks on which he worked that were used in the This is It film and two Cirque du Soleil shows based on Jackson’s music. Jones’ claim to the money is based both on his original work and his contract that gave him first rights on any reedits of the material to protect his professional reputation, something that was not delivered.
The lawsuit to collect that money was first initiated three years ago and, on Thursday, Superior Court judge Michael Stern ruled that the suit should go forward to jury so that they can consider all of the facets of the case and deliver a judgement.
Along with the royalties, Jones is also suing for a credit on the This is It film.
The three Jackson albums on which Jones worked were responsible for seventeen top ten hits, nine of which went to number 1 (Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough, Rock With You, Billie Jean, Beat It, I Just Can’t Stop Loving You, Bad, The Way You Make Me Feel, Man in the Mirror and Dirty Diana).
