Superstar music publishing deals

British rock group Pink Floyd could soon be almost half a billion dollars richer, with U.S. private equity group Blackstone competing to buy the band’s entire back catalogue

Pink Floyd was founded in 1965 by (from left) Roger Waters, Nick Mason, Syd Barrett and Rick Wright

Jan 2018, Bob Marley: Island Records founder Chris Blackwell sells 80 percent of publishing rights to two catalogues to Primary Wave.
$50 million 

Aug 2020, Blondie: Hipgnosis buys 100 percent of writers’ share and public performance rights to 197 songs that Debbie Harry and Chris Stein wrote as co
founders of Blondie 

Nov, Steve Winwood: Hipgnosis buys 33,000 songs across 42 catalogues owned by Kobalt
Music Copyrights Fund. $323 million 

Dec, Bob Dylan: Sells publishing rights for 600-plus songs to Universal Music Group. $300-$400 million

Jan 2021, Neil Young: Hipgnosis buys 50 percent of 1,180 songs. Estimated $150 million

Feb 2021, Beach Boys: Sell rights to Iconic Artists Group (IAG).  $100-$200 million

Dec 2021, Bruce Springsteen: The Boss (above) sells his entire catalogue to Sony Music Entertainment. $500 million

Jan 2022, David Bowie: Estate sells global publishing rights to catalogue to Warner Chappell Music. Estimated $250 million

Feb, Sting: Universal Music Group buys entire songwriting catalogue. $250 million

Mar, Leonard Cohen: Estate sells late singer-songwriter’s catalogue to Hipgnosis for
undisclosed sum

May, Pink Floyd: Invites bidders to make an offer

Aug: Blackstone’s offer competes with bids from Sony Music, Warner Music, KKR-BMG and Capital Management-funded Primary Wave. Seeking $470 million-plus

Source: Financial Times
Pictures: Getty Images, Keystone Features
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