John McClain, the veteran music executive and co-executor of Michael Jackson’s estate, has died at 71. He passed away in Malibu on Tuesday after years of illness, and helped shape major posthumous projects for the Jackson legacy.
John McClain didn’t just live in the music business for decades—he helped determine what stayed alive of Michael Jackson after his death. Now, the veteran music executive and producer is gone. He died Tuesday. according to a representative. after being sick for several years. though it isn’t clear whether that illness played a role in his death. McClain passed in Malibu.
McClain served as co-executor of Michael Jackson’s estate alongside John Branca. They were appointed in 2009. after Michael’s death. and the pair worked to put the estate out from under Michael’s heavy debt. Over time, they built what has been described as a massively lucrative empire reportedly worth billions of dollars.
His fingerprints were all over the results. In addition to his estate role, McClain produced hits for Michael, Janet Jackson, Ice Cube, and Dr. Dre.
Earlier in his career, he was an A&R executive at A&M Records, where he oversaw Janet’s breakthrough album, “Control.” He also pushed the label to sign new acts, including Mark Wahlberg’s Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch.
What the public often associates with McClain is the pipeline of major Jackson-era projects that followed the end of Michael’s life. McClain and Branca spearheaded the “Michael” biopic. the Broadway musical. a Cirque du Soleil production. and the film “This Is It. ” which centered on Michael’s preparation for his final. ill-fated tour.
McClain also had a personal hand in producing Michael’s posthumous hits, including “Love Never Felt So Good” and “Much Too Soon.”
McClain was 71. Story developing.
John McClain Michael Jackson estate John Branca Malibu A&M Records Janet Jackson Control Marky Mark and The Funky Bunch Michael biopic Broadway musical Cirque du Soleil This Is It Love Never Felt So Good Much Too Soon