From Bob Dylan to Bruce Springsteen, music greats sell rights to labels

Bruce Springsteen performs during the annual Sept. 11 Commemoration Ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum Sept. 11, 2021 in New York City, U.S., Image: Pool via Reuters/Chip Somodevilla

Universal Music Group said on Tuesday, April 12, it would manage the song catalog of the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” Elvis Presley, the latest such deal by global music labels to generate more revenue from royalties, licensing and brand deals.

For big-name artists such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Sting and Neil Diamond, the agreements offer a chance to reap the benefits of their catalogs, toward the end of their careers.

Here is a list of some such deals over the last few months (buyer/artist or label/popular tracks/deal value):

KKR & Co (KKR.N) and former Goldman Sachs (GS.N) partner Stephen Hendel’s family office/Kobalt Capital/Kobalt has artists including Paul McCartney, Enrique Iglesias and Phoebe Bridgers/$1.1 billion

Sony Music/Bruce Springsteen/”Thunder road,” “Dancing in the Dark,” “Glory Days”/$500 million

Warner Music Group/300 Entertainment/Artists such as Megan Thee Stallion, Fetty Wap and Mary J. Blige/$400 million

Universal Music Publishing Group/Sting/”Fields of Gold,” “Desert Rose,” “Every Breath You Take” (The Police)/$300 million

Warner Music Group (WMG.O)/David Bowie/”Lazarus,” “Under Pressure,” “Heroes,” “Space Oddity”/$250 million

Sony Music Entertainment/Bob Dylan/”Blowin’ in the Wind” and “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”/$150 million – $200 million, as per Variety

U.K Investment Fund Hipgnosis/Neil Young (50% of rights)/”Heart of Gold,” “Harvest Moon,” “Tangled Up in Blue”/$150 million, according to British news firm BBC

Universal Music Group, Authentic Brands Group/Elvis Presley/”Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Memories”/Undisclosed

BMG/Tina Turner/”The Best,” “What’s Love Got To Do With It”/Undisclosed

Hipgnosis Songs Fund (SONG.L)/Shakira (145 tracks)/”Waka Waka,” “Hips Don’t Lie,” “Whenever Wherever”/Undisclosed

Hipgnosis Songs Fund/Carole Bayer Sager/”Nobody Does it Better”/Undisclosed

Warner Music Group/Madonna/”Material Girl,” “Express Yourself”/Undisclosed

Universal Music Group/Neil Diamond/”Sweet Caroline,” “Cracklin’ Rosie”/Undisclosed

BMG/Mick Fleetwood (Drummer of Fleetwood Mac)/”Dreams,” “Go Your Own Way”/Undisclosed

Sony Music Publishing/Paul Simon/”Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Still Crazy After All These Years”/Undisclosed

AP/JB

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