BMG acquires music pursuits of blues icon John Lee Hooker
BMG has acquired the music pursuits of iconic American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist John Lee Hooker from his property.
The settlement consists of his whole publishing catalog (Growth Growth, One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer, Boogie Chillenamongst others), co-acquired with BMG’s longstanding associate Fujipacific Music.
The deal additionally consists of John Lee Hooker’s whole recorded and efficiency royalty earnings, in addition to a collection of Hooker’s recorded catalog stress Alone, Vol. 1 (1980) by means of Black Evening Is Falling (2020), acquired solely by BMG.
In a media assertion asserting the deal, BMG states that, as a consequence of “what’s a fancy musical legacy, some rights will nonetheless stay with third events”, however BMG will now “take a lead position in selling Hooker’s excellent catalog”.
BMG presently represents or owns rights in lots of blues music’s most influential artists together with Son Home, Willie Dixon, Howlin ‘Wolf, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Mississippi Fred McDowell, alongside many others.
The acquisition is the most recent in a string of latest offers accomplished by BMG to amass rights from famous person musicians.
In January final yr, BMG purchased Mick Fleetwood’s royalties for an array of Fleetwood Mac hits – together with TikTok sensation Desires.
In October, BMG snapped up a bundle of Tina Turner rights.
In November, the corporate acquired Mötley Crüe recordings catalog for round $ 90 million.
In December, BMG and KKRhaving introduced in March that they had been going to purchase copyrights collectively – confirmed a joint acquisition for the primary time: “your complete music pursuits” of rock icons ZZ Prime.
John Lee Hooker’s work is widely known for its affect on fashionable music.
Amongst his first recordings was Boogie Chillen (1948) which grew to become a No.1 hit, promoting over 1,000,000 copies.
This success was quickly adopted by a string of hits, together with I’m within the Temper, Crawling Kingsnake (famously lined by The Doorways), and Hobo Blues.
Over the following 15 years, Hooker maintained a prolific recording schedule, releasing over 100 songs, together with essentially the most vital tune of his profession Growth Growth.
One of the crucial recognizable and memorable blues requirements, Growth Growth was initially a chart success in each the US and UK, and over time has been extensively featured in each movies and commercials, whereas additionally being lined by quite a few artists.
An inductee into the Blues Corridor of Fame, Hooker was a recipient of a Nationwide Heritage Fellowship awarded by the Nationwide Endowment for the Arts, the U.S. authorities’s highest honor within the people and conventional arts.
In 1991, Hooker was inducted into the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame, whereas in 1997, he was introduced with a star on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame.
A five-time Grammy award-winner, in 2000, shortly earlier than his demise, Hooker was acknowledged with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
“This can be a uncommon triple-win for everybody: the Hooker household, BMG, and for the hundreds of thousands of John Lee Hooker followers all the world over.”
Jeff Jampol, JAM Inc
Jeff Jampol, CEO, JAM, Inc., stated: “Because the longtime managers of the John Lee Hooker property, JAM, Inc. was completely satisfied to assist the property and BMG conclude this transaction.
“We’re more than happy that an artist-first firm like BMG would be the stewards of this nice legacy transferring ahead, and we’re grateful to stay in a consulting and administration position of the John Lee Hooker legacy, in partnership with BMG, transferring ahead .
“This can be a uncommon triple-win for everybody: the Hooker household, BMG, and for the hundreds of thousands of John Lee Hooker followers all the world over.
“We cannot wait to see – and be part of – what’s coming subsequent!”
“BMG will guarantee John Lee Hooker’s legacy is honored and revered wherever and each time John Lee Hooker’s music is used, carried out, recorded or bought.”
Thomas Scherer, BMG
Thomas Scherer, BMG President, Repertoire & Advertising and marketing, New York and Los Angeles, added: “BMG is proud to be the definitive residence of John Lee Hooker’s music, one of many key inspirations and basis stones of widespread music.
“BMG will guarantee John Lee Hooker’s legacy is honored and revered wherever and each time John Lee Hooker’s music is used, carried out, recorded or bought.”
Music Enterprise Worldwide