This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/16/2023
From the Frank DiLeo Michael Jackson Collection. Michael Jackson wore these Bill Whitten custom crystal socks when he performed his "Moonwalk" on stage for the first time ever for his iconic song "Billie Jean" at the historic Motown Special concert, "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever" which was taped before a live studio audience at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California on March 25, 1983 and broadcast on NBC TV on May 16, 1983. Michael gifted the socks to his manager Frank DiLeo during the 1984 Victory Tour and wrote and signed a letter to Frank to accompany them. The socks are presented with the letter in a 21.25 x 6 x 19 plexi display box. Comes with a letter from Frank DiLeo's wife Linda DiLeo attesting that Michael wore the socks when he did his moonwalk at the Motown Special and then subsequently gave them to her husband during the Victory Tour, as well as an email from Jimmy Darren confirming their authenticity. In very good, stage worn condition, the socks also come with a Gotta Have Rock & Roll™ Certificate of Authenticity.
DiLeo, whose prolific career in as a top executive in the record business touched numerous artists, was best known for his work with Michael Jackson. The magic began when "Thriller" was released by Epic Records in 1982 when DiLeo was Vice President of National Promotion at Epic. After the stellar success of "Thriller," Michael was so happy with Frank's innovative work in promoting the album, he asked DiLeo to become his manager and he managed Michael 1984 to 1989, and worked with Jackson again in 2009 for the “This Is It” concert series. DiLeo was the co-executive producer, along with Michael, for Michael's full-length movie “Moonwalker,” executive produced three of Michael's Pepsi-Cola commercials (including negotiating a landmark endorsement deal with Pepsi), and eight Michael Jackson music videos including the Michael’s Grammy winning video "Leave Me Alone". DiLeo oversaw Jackson's “Bad World Tour,” and the Jackson family's “Victory Tour.” DiLeo later partnered up with Jackson in 2009 in preparation for Michael's sold-out "This Is It" concert tour that sadly never took place due to the singer's tragic death eighteen days prior to the start. Very good condition. As stated above, the socks come with the Michael Jackson handwritten and signed letter to Frank DiLeo, a letter of provenance from Frank's wife, Linda DiLeo and a copy of the original email from Jimmy Darren confirming the authenticity of the socks. Also comes with a Gotta Have Rock & Roll Certificate of Authenticity.