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Michael Jackson Estate acquires U.S. rights to Sly and the Family Stone catalog

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iStock/MischokoThe Michael Jackson Estate has acquired the United States rights to the catalog of one of the greatest bands of the ’60s and ’70s: Sly and the Family Stone. The catalog includes the group’s classics “Family Affair,” “Dance to the Music,” “Everybody is a Star,” “Hot Fun in the Summertime” and “Everyday People.”

In 1983, The King of Pop acquired the foreign rights to the catalog for his MIJAC music publishing company.

To mark the signing of the agreement, Sly, born Sylvester Stewart, expressed his joy to MIJAC by quoting the title of another one of his classic hits: “Thank You Mijac (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin).”

“Sly and the Family Stone were a force for enlightenment and positive change, a message that Michael believed in,” said MJ estate co-executors John Branca and John McClain in a statement. “He recognized Stewart’s genius and the power of his words and music, which is why he first acquired the catalog and why we at MIJAC follow in Michael’s footsteps today.”

Sly and the Family Stone combined R&B and rock into a unique “psychedelic soul” sound that earned them induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Their performance was one of the highlights of the 1969 Woodstock festival.

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