John McClain, Michael Jacksons co-executor, dies at 71

's estate co-executor John McClain died Tuesday at the age of 71 in Malibu, .

McClain had been dealing with ill health in recent years, insiders told TMZ, though his specific cause of death has not yet been announced.

The late McClain had worked at the top of the music industry in multiple positions, also working as a producer and A&R executive at different stages in his career.

He collaborated with artists including Michael Jackson, , Ice Cube and Dr. Dre. 

McClain was an exec with A&M Records at the time of Janet Jackson's star-making 1986 album Control. He also pointed the label to sign 's ensemble Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch.

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for the estate for further comment.  

He was appointed with co-executor John Branca to commandeer the estate of the late Michael Jackson after the Thriller artist.

McClain and co-executor John Branca have made headlines as of late amid their court battles with the late King of Pop's daughter Paris. 

Attorneys for the estate executors told the Daily Mail in a statement earlier this month that they felt vindicated to an extent after the judge in the case praised their work over the past 17 years.

The judge said McClain and co-executor John Branca had 'created real and substantial generational wealth for the estate's beneficiaries.'

The executors' legal team said that 'the court has previously approved several other bonuses to outside counsel over the years for their extraordinary services, and this was the first time they were the subject of objections.'

Michael Jackson died after  at the time.

Authorities in February 2010 deemed his death as the result of acute propofol intoxication.

The Thriller artist had been administered the powerful drug by his personal doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray, who told investigators that the singer called the substance (which he took via an IV drip) 'milk' and said he needed it to sleep.

Eventually, Murray's care of Jackson fell under scrutiny after the singer's death, amid questions about his judgment in giving Jackson the substance in certain doses, and not meeting safety precautions in administering the drug. 

Jackson's death was ultimately deemed a homicide by investigators and in November of 2011 - more than two years after his death - Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to four years in prison.

Jackson had an unprecedented career in music, as one of the best-selling artists of all-time, who won 13 Grammys over 38 nominations.

Honors included Best Male R&B Vocal Performance on Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough in 1980, Album of the Year for Thriller in 1984 and Record of the Year for Beat It the same year.

He was also given the Grammy Legend Award in 1993, and posthumously, The Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. He had been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.