Published 11:21 IST, November 7th 2019
Michael Jackson's 'Moonwalk' socks estimated to be auctioned for $2M
The crystal-covered socks that legendary Michael Jackson wore 40-yrs ago at the “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever” are estimated to be auctioned for $2 mil
- World News
- 3 min read
The custom-made, crystal-covered socks legendary Michael Jackson wore 40-years back at the “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever” are now up for auction. They are estimated to sell for over 2 million USD. According to the Rock and Roll Auction House, the 'Bill Whitten' custom socks were worn by Michael Jackson when he performed his famous “Moonwalk” on stage for the first time ever for his iconic song Billie Jean at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California on March 25, 1983.
The socks are from the Frank DiLeo Michael Jackson Collection and were gifted to DiLeo, MJ's manager during the 1984 Victory Tour. The auction starts on November 13 and bidding is set to begin at $100,000. The socks will be presented with a letter handwritten and signed by Michael Jackson in a 21.25 x 6 x 19 plexi display box, a Gotta Have Rock & Roll Certificate of Authenticity, a letter from DiLeo's wife, and a copy of the original email from Jimmy Darren confirming the authenticity of the socks. Ed Kosinski, the CEO of the auction house reportedly said that the socks look heavily worn. However, he added that he couldn't say for sure how often they were worn after the Motown Show.
Apart from the socks Michael Jackson's Victory Tour Era worn 'Silver Suit of Lights', his 'Rock With You' original CBS Records Australia in-house gold single record award presented to Frank DiLeo, Michael Jordan and MJ signed limited edition “23” 1984-85 Chicago Bulls Jersey is also up for auction. The auction house has also included items from other stars. Items include Beyonce's white lace ensemble from her On The Run Tour II with Jay-Z, a guitar formerly owned by Eric Clapton, and a dress worn by Katy Perry in the video for her song Never Really Over.
Thriller jacket sold for $1.81M
Back in 2011, a black and red leather jacket worn by MJ in the music video for 'Thriller' was sold for $1.8 million at an auction in Los Angeles, two years after the singer's death. Jackson had worn the jacket in 1983 in a scene with a troupe of zombies who rise their graves and break into a dance routine. The jacket was reportedly bought by a Texan gold trader named Milton Verret for $1.81 million.
(With inputs from agencies)
Updated 17:00 IST, November 7th 2019