David Bowie Publishing Catalog Sold in 9-Figure Deal

The David Bowie estate has brokered a massive nine-figure deal with Warner Chappell Music to sell the singer’s publishing catalog.

Per Variety, the deal includes the songs featured on Bowie’s 26 studio albums, posthumous releases, his two studio albums with Tin Machine and other stand-alone singles. Sources told the outlet the deal has a price tag of upwards of $250 million.

In a statement on the deal, Warner Chappell Music Co-Chair and CEO Guy Moot said, in part, “All of us at Warner Chappell are immensely proud that the David Bowie estate has chosen us to be the caretakers of one of the most groundbreaking, influential, and enduring catalogs in music history. These are not only extraordinary songs, but milestones that have changed the course of modern music forever.”

The Bowie catalog is one of many high-profile catalogs to be acquired by Warner Chappell Music, whose catalog roster includes Quincy Jones, George Michael, Cardi B, Bruno Mars and more.

13 Rockers That Sold Their Catalogs/Music Rights for Huge Paydays in 2021

• Bruce Springsteen

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  The Boss ended 2021 with a massive payday with the sale of his masters and music publishing catalog, which went to Sony Music and Sony Music Publishing, respectively, for a reported $500 million.

• Aerosmith

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  The Bad Boys from Boston struck a very unique deal with Universal Music Group (UMG) in August that includes their entire musical catalog and personal archives. Per a press release from UMG, Aerosmith's deal will feature the band's entire catalog under the UMG umbrella beginning in 2022, instead of being split with Sony Music Entertainment. The "new expansive worldwide alliance" with UMG will also include "merchandise and audio-video projects." The cost of the deal was not disclosed.

• Tina Turner

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  Turner struck a deal with BMG for the sale of her catalog and other properties including the artist’s share of her recordings, her music publishing writer’s share, neighboring rights and name, image, and likeness. The deal was worth a reported $50 million
• The Beach Boys

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  In February, conic Artists Group, which was launched by legendary music manager Irving Azoff, bought a majority stake in the intellectual rights of a number of facets of The Beach Boys. Among those rights are sound recordings, select compositions and other aspects of the Beach Boys brand, including memorabilia. This deal, however, does see the members of the Beach Boys and their various heirs retain a portion of their rights. The cost of the deal was not disclosed.

• Motley Crue

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  In December, it was announced that BMG acquired the entire Crue recorded catalog. The deal had a reported price tag between $90 million and $150 million.

• Paul Simon

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  In April, Sony Music Publishing acquired the entire Paul Simon catalog. The catalog sale includes over 400 songs written by Simon from both his solo career and with Simon and Garfunkel. The cost of the deal was not disclosed.
• Lindsey Buckingham

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  In early January, Lindsey Buckingham sold his music publishing rights to Hipgnosis Songs. 'Variety' noted, "Along with the 25% share it acquired in September, Hipgnosis — which has invested more than $1.5 billion in music catalogs in just two and a half years — now owns 100% of Buckingham’s music publishing rights, including his publishing and writer’s share, of his entire catalog, comprising 161 songs, as well as a 50% share of any unreleased compositions." The cost of the deal was not disclosed.

• Christine McVie

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  In August, McVie sold her 115-title song catalog to Hipgnosis for an undisclosed sum. McVie said in a statement about the deal, "I am so excited to belong to the Hipgnosis family, and thrilled that you all regard my songs worthy of merit. I’d like to thank you all for your faith in me, and I’ll do all I can to continue this new relationship and help in any way I can! Thank you so much!"

• Red Hot Chili Peppers

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  In May, the Chili Peppers sold their catalog to Hipgnosis for a figure between $140 million and $150 million.
• Neil Young

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  In January, Young sold a 50 percent share of his massive catalog -- which includes nearly 1,200 songs -- to Hipgnosis for an estimated $150 million.

• ZZ Top

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  ZZ Top is closing out 2021 by striking a deal with BMG and global investment firm KKR for their catalog. The reported price tag for this deal was $50 million.

• Bob Rock (far right)

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  In January, producer Bob Rock sold his producer rights to 43 songs to Hipgnosis. Among those songs were the tracks from Metallica's self-titled 1991 album (aka: "The Black Album") and various Michael Bublé songs. The exact price tag was not disclosed, but the transaction was described by 'Metal Hammer' as a "multi-million dollar deal."
• Jimmy Iovine

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  In January, legendary producer/music executive Jimmy Iovine sold 100 percent of his world wide producer royalties to Hipgnosis. The deal included 259 songs and film production royalties to '8 Mile' and 'Get Rich or Die Tryin.'' While the price tag was not disclosed, 'Billboard' noted, "Iovine said in a statement that he will commit proceeds from the deal, the total of which was not disclosed, to help build a high school in South Los Angeles as part of the University of Southern California Iovine and Young Academy, the undergraduate program he co-founded with Dr Dre in 2013."