John McClain, the co-executor of Michael Jackson‘s billion-dollar estate, has died following a long illness. He was 71.

McClain died Tuesday, May 26, in Malibu, California. Sources tell TMZ he battled an undisclosed illness for several years.

The former A&R executive at A&M Records oversaw the production of Janet Jackson‘s breakthrough album, Control.

John also produced Janet’s Rhythm Nation 1814 album. Additionally, John produced hit songs for Ice Cube and Dr. Dre.

John was one of Michael’s closest childhood friends. The pop icon named John as co-executor of his estate if anything ever happened to him. Michael also named John Branca as co-executor of his estate.

Michael died in 2009 leaving his estate millions of dollars in debt. John McClain and John Branca turned the debt-ridden estate into a music empire that generates billions of dollars.

Michael’s mother, Katherine, was named a beneficiary, along with his three children, Paris, Prince and Bigi, who never have to work a day in their lives.

John McClain produced Michael’s posthumous hits like “Love Never Felt So Good” and “Much Too Soon.”

Other major ventures included the blockbuster concert documentary “This Is It,” the hit Broadway production “MJ: The Musical,” a hit Cirque du Soleil show and the wildly successful Michael Jackson biopic that grossed over $700 million worldwide so far.

As a recording executive, John urged A&M Records to sign new acts like Mark Wahlberg’s Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch.

According to Eurweb.com, colleagues credited John with recognizing commercial potential before others did and helping shape careers that would ultimately define entire eras of popular music.