DS, two pages, 8.5 x 11, September 7, 2001. Incredible document arranging for Brando to “appear at the Michael Jackson Thirtieth Anniversary Celebration shows at Madison Square Garden…Jackson agrees to pay Brando in cash or cash equivalent…the amount of One Million Two Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($1,002,000.00) in lawful money of the United States of America.” Signed at the conclusion in black ballpoint by Brando, “Marlon Brando, Sept 7 01,” and signed and initialed by Jackson, “Michael Jackson,” and “MJ.” In fine condition, with staple holes to the upper left corner and expected document wear.
Held at the Garden on September 7th and 10th in 2001, the Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Special was a star-studded two-night event marking the artist’s thirtieth year as a solo performer; the concerts were filmed and subsequently edited down to a two-hour special, which aired on CBS in late November. Costing up to $5,000 a ticket, both performances sold out in just five hours, ringing in a Boxscore total of over $10 million dollars in sales. As arranged for in this document, Jackson’s longtime, close friend Marlon Brando appeared on the second night of the event, giving a lengthy and dignified speech about humanitarian work—unfortunately, it received an unenthusiastic reaction from the crowd and was cut from the television broadcast. An extraordinarily rare document connecting two of the world's greatest entertainers—and most famous friends—celebrating a landmark year in the legendary pop musician's career. Provenance: Marlon Brando’s business manager and lifelong friend JoAn Corrales. RR Auction COA.
