Michael Jackson's newest songs released after his death

	Michael Jackson

LONDON : Michael Jackson has recorded more than 100 songs in secret, but is refusing to release the tracks until after his death, according to biographer Ian Halperin.

The singer has amassed a stack of tunes but only wants them to be heard by his children, 11-year-old Prince, 10-year-old Paris Katherine, and five-year-old Prince Michael II, after he dies, said Halperin, author of forthcoming book "Unmasked, The Michael Jackson Story".

Halperin said, "I was astonished by the number of songs which have been held back. I was told that he will not let them come out now but wants to leave them for his kids, a very personal legacy to them."

As for his Beatles' back catalog, it will go to Sir Paul McCartney.

The two have been estranged since a falling out back in 1985, after Jackson beat out McCartney in a bidding war for the rights to 200 of the Beatles’ legendary songs.

McCartney, 66, has felt betrayed by Jackson ever since. In 2006 McCartney said, "You know what doesn't feel very good, is going on tour and paying to sing all my songs. Every time I sing 'Hey Jude', I've got to pay someone."

Previously, the pair collaborated on Jackson's 1982 "Thriller" extract "The Girl is Mine", and McCartney's 1983 single "Say, Say, Say" from "Pipes of Peace".

The Daily Mirror newspaper quoted a Jackson insider as saying, "Michael told his lawyers he was sad he no longer talks to Sir Paul and said he wanted to make things right."

One wonders if all this talk about wills and making peace is due to the King of Pop's reported deadly lung condition.

A few months ago, Jackson denied rumours that he was battling emphysema, genetic illness Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a potentially fatal genetic illness. He was also reported to be losing the vision in his left eye.

- CNA/ap