Up For Grabs: Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” Jacket

Everyone knows that "Thriller" was perhaps the late King of Pop Michael Jackson's greatest hit ever. When hearing the song or even thinking of it, most people think about the famous music video with the zombies dancing along with Jackson, who is dressed in a slick red and black jacket. Well, imagine if you owned that very jacket. Now you can, as it, along with other Jackson antiques are up for auction.

The Music Icons Auction will take place June 25 and 26 at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills, California. Auction administrator Darren Julien stated that the the calfskin jacket is "the most recognized and significant piece of pop culture" to come up for sale. He plans to rake in at least $200,o00 for the piece of history.

Originally, Jackson signed the jacket and gifted it to Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush, his longtime costume designers. His goal was to have the designers use the jacket as inspiration for future looks for concerts, appearances, etc. Now, the future home of the coveted jacket will be left up to fate.

The auction also includes other Jackson memorabilia: "the wig he wore when he announced his ill-fated "This Is It" concert series in London, a fedora and spangled glove he wore on stage, his shirt from the "Scream" video and the battered mailbox from the Carolwood Drive estate where Jackson died at age 50 in 2009."

According to the Times Union article:

A portion of the proceeds from its sale will benefit the Shambala Preserve, where Jackson's two Bengal tigers, Thriller and Sabu, have been living since the pop star left his Neverland ranch in 2006.

The Music Icons sale also includes one of Eric Clapton's guitars, Frank Sinatra's patent leather boots and 1986 Jaguar, handwritten lyrics and a leather jacket from Johnny Cash, jackets and a guitar from Elvis Presley, a signed harmonica from Bob Dylan and nearly 600 other pieces of music memorabilia from Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, The Beatles and others.