Michael Jackson‘s famed ‘Billie Jean’ jacket is among the musical treasures slated to hit the auction block next month for Julien’s Auctions.
Bids as high as $80,000 – $100,000 are expected to be made for the garment worn by the late King of Pop on his 1984 Victory Tour, the auction house said.
The jacket was designed by the late fashion designer Bill Whitten, who also designed Jackson’s iconic crystal glove, Julien’s said.
The garment was put on display from 2017 to 2019 at the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi in Cleveland, Mississippi in a display commemorating the 35th anniversary of the release of Jackson’s best-selling album, Thriller.
Billie Jean was the second single released off the blockbuster record, which hit stores November 29, 1982. It followed The Girl Is Mine and preceded Beat It, Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’, Human Nature, P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) and the title track, Thriller.
Michael Jackson’s famed “Billie Jean” jacket is among the musical treasures slated to hit the auction block next month for Julien’s Auctions. Pictured August 1, 1984 performing on the Victory Tour
The garment was put on display from 2017 to 2019 at the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi in Cleveland, Mississippi in a display commemorating the 35th anniversary of the release of Jackson’s best-selling album, Thriller
The Victory Tour starring Jackson and his five brothers spanned 55 shows between July and December 1984, grossing an estimated $75 million, according to the auction house. A number of tracks on the setlist came from Michael’s solo albums Thriller and 1979’s Off the Wall.
‘When he went on that stage, the charisma coming back from the crowd, you could feel it,’ concert promoter Russ Cline told Kansas City NBC affiliate KHSB last July of Michael’s performances and popularity in the mid-80s.
Cline said: ‘It would knock you down like a tsunami of cheering. When he went on the stage, he left it all on the stage. He never came out with nothing left.’
Cline recalled the differences in buying tickets for in-demand concerts in 1984, as opposed to four decades later.
‘The highest-priced tickets were with tax – $30. Face value – $28,’ he said. ‘All done by mail order. All these thousands of tickets were ordered and you could only order six at a time and they were filled by hand. Today, we have Ticketmaster.’
Jackson died June 25, 2009 death at the age of 50 as result of a cardiac arrest following an overdose of the surgical anesthetic drug Propofol.
Julien’s announced the sale of the jacket and other items in a news conference Tuesday at London’s Hard Rock Cafe in Piccadilly Circus, as part of its MUSIC ICONS auction slated for May 29-May 30.
The auction will stem from the Hard Rock Cafe in New York and online at juliensauctions.com.
The Victory Tour starring Jackson and his five brothers spanned 55 shows between July and December 1984
A number of tracks on the setlist came from Michael’s solo albums Thriller and 1979’s Off the Wall
The jacket was designed by the late fashion designer Bill Whitten, who also designed Jackson’s iconic crystal glove, Julien’s said.
The musical artist was at the zenith of his career in the 1980s and remains one of the most influential pop culture icons of the decade
Among the other items on sale include a cropped jacket with multi-color sequined decorations worn by rocker Joan Jett during her 1989 tour.
The fashion item from the I Love Rock ’n’ Roll artist is projected to sell for between $5,000 – $7,000, Julien’s said.
A pair of black nylon Onitsuka Tiger brand High-Top sneakers owned by late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury is among the items in the lot, Julien’s said.
The shoes, which the Bohemian Rhapsody vocalist wore onstage in 1979, are expected to sell for $20,000-$30,000.
Buyers can take a ride on the wild side with a 1987 Kramer KM-1 electric guitar played by Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars.
The autographed musical instrument has the font of the Girls Girls Girls album across the front, as Mars played it on the band’s 1987-1988 world tour in support of the album. It’s expected to sell for $60,000-$80,000.
A Fender guitar Rose Sparkle P Bass guitar owned and played by U2’s Adam Clayton is expected to sell for $50,000-$70,000.
Clayton played the instrument on the shows the iconic band played at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
Among the other items on sale include a cropped jacket with multi-color sequined decorations worn by rocker Joan Jett during her 1989 tour
A pair of black nylon Onitsuka Tiger brand High-Top sneakers owned by late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury is among the items in the lot
Buyers can take a ride on the wild side with a 1987 Kramer KM-1 electric guitar played by Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars
A custom Gianni Versace dress worn by late legend Tina Turner is expected to sell for between $4,000-$6,000
A black Fendi dress custom made for the late Amy Winehouse for a Fendi event in Paris is on sale
A Fender guitar Rose Sparkle P Bass guitar owned and played by U2’s Adam Clayton is expected to sell for $50,000-$70,000
A custom Gianni Versace dress worn by late legend Tina Turner is expected to sell for between $4,000-$6,000.
The What’s Love Got to Do with It vocalist wore the garment on her Wildest Dreams Tour in 1996 and 1997, according to Julien’s.
A black Fendi dress custom made for the late Amy Winehouse for a Fendi event in Paris is on sale.
