1996: Michael Jackson performative on his “HIStory Tour”
Photo: Redferns, Phil Dent. All rights reserved.
It was one of the most defining performances of Michael Jackson’s career. In 1983, the “King of Pop” performed his song “Billie Jean” on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the US music label Motown and presented his legendary “Moonwalk” for the first time. Now the simple black fedora hat that the artist threw into the audience at the beginning of his performance will be put up for auction in Paris on October 3rd.
The felt hat is estimated to be worth between 60,000 and 100,000 euros. The French auction house Drouot describes it as “a symbol of the artist’s personality and dancing talent”. The accessory, which Jackson paired with a sparkling sequin blazer and shirt for his performance, isn’t the only “significant element of music history” going under the hammer that day. A notebook by Madonna, a rare guitar by blues musician T-Bone Walker and a belt by Johnny Hallyday are also up for auction.
The fedora hat became Michael Jackson’s trademark over the years. The Los Angeles company “Maddest Hatter” designed and developed headgear for the musician several times. For his live performance, he probably wanted a “spy-style” hat, i.e. “something a secret agent would wear.” In the light lining of the custom-made piece, “Michael Jackson” and “Motown 25” are written in gold.