On January 27, 1984, Michael Jackson and other members of the Pepsi Cola commercial filmed, supervised by management Phil Dusenberry, the advertising agency BBDO Worldwide and Pepsi's creative director, Alan Pottasch theShrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Before a crowd of fans to the simulation of concerts, fireworks accidentally Michael Jackson's hair caught fire. He suffered second degree burns on his scalp. Jackson to undergo treatment to hide the scars on his scalp, and it also has three rhinoplastyshortly thereafter. Jackson has never recovered from that injury. Pepsi settled amicably, and Jackson was donating $ 1,500,000 settlement inCulver Brotman Medical Center City, Calif., which now has a "Michael Jackson Burn Center" in honor of his contributions. Dusenberry can say episode in his memoirs, then we set his hair on fire: Insights and Accidents Hall of Fame career in advertising.
On May 14, 1984, Jackson was invited to the White House to receive the reward of President Ronald Reagan for his support to charities that help people overcome alcohol and drug abuse. Jackson won eight Grammy awards during the year. Unlike later albums, Thriller did not have an official visit to promote, but in 1984 the Victory Tour, as The Jacksons, with lots of new solo material Jackson is more than two million Americans. He donated all the funds (about $ 8,000,000) went to the Tower of Victory for charity. He also co-wrote charity single "We Are the World" with Lionel Richie in 1985, which was released worldwide to help the poor in the United States and Africa. He became one of the best-selling single of all time, with nearly 30 million copies sold and millions of dollars donated to hunger relief. In 1986, "We Are the World" won four Grammys (one for Jackson for the song of the year). American Music Award administrators charity song removed from the competition because they felt it would be inappropriate, but it is known with two special awards (one for creating songs and one for the United States of Africa ideas). They are the only ones to win Clusters Jackson as a non-solo artists.
In 1984, ATV Music Publishing, a music publishing company that has thousands of copyrighted music, including the Northern Songs catalog that contains the majority of Lennon / McCartneycompositions recorded by the Beatles, has been sale. Jackson became interested in having a catalog of music having worked with Paul McCartney at the beginning of 1980: Jackson has learned McCartney is about $ 40 million per year from other songs. Previously, McCartney has offered a catalog of biking for 20 million pounds (40 million USD) in 1981. He contacted Yoko Ono to make a purchase, as well as separate charges set £ 10 million each, but Ono thought they could buy for £ 5 million respectively. When they are not able to go shopping together, McCartney dropped by to offer, do not want to pay £ 20 million alone.
In September 1984, Jackson was first notified of the ATV catalog is available for sale by Robert Holmes to the Court (which was acquired ATV Music Publishing in 1982) with his lawyer, John Branca. McCartney's lawyers convince Branca who are not interested in bidding McCartney: Paul McCartney reportedly said: "It's too expensive" But in 1984 sales, there are several other competitors in the bidding catalog. After discussions between the Court and Holmes Jackson was arrested during a series of lengthy negotiations, Charles Koppelman Marty Bandier "The Entertainment Co. and a tentative agreement with the Holmes Court to purchase the catalog for $ 50 million. Learn from the agreement in principle in June 1985, Jackson has raised the offer to $ 47.5 million of the initial offer of $ 46 million (made in November 1984) and its bid is received by the Court in Holmes, may be due to better liquidity and ease of accomplishment. Branca and the association also produces 1 million dollars in fees to watch "company due diligence" in the 4000-song catalog is almost as long as several months . Jackson'sacquisition An ATV Music Publishing was announced in mid-August 1985