John McClain, the music executive who served as co-executor of Michael Jackson's estate for over a decade, has passed away at the age of 71. McClain died on Tuesday due to complications from a fall. His representatives stated that he passed away surrounded by "beloved friends and his nephew Warner Wright."

Born in Los Angeles, McClain developed a close working relationship with the Jackson family starting in the 1980s. He began his music career as a music director and session musician, working on significant projects with artists such as Gladys Knight, Diana Ross, and Lionel Richie. Growing up in a musically rich family, McClain's father opened the It Club, where jazz legends performed, and his mother contributed to music as a pianist.

After being appointed as the black music director at A&M Records, McClain played a crucial role in Janet Jackson's rise to superstardom. He brought Janet Jackson together with production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, leading to the creation of the Control and Rhythm Nation albums. Additionally, he made a significant impact on his career by signing Dr. Dre during the early days of Interscope.

A close friend of Michael Jackson, McClain was appointed co-executor of the estate alongside Jackson's attorney John Branca after the pop icon's death in 2009. This duo played a major role in preserving Jackson's musical legacy and keeping the artist's business alive, recently achieving great commercial success with the music biography titled Michael.