BMG has acquired the recorded catalog of Alain Chamfort, the French pop singer and composer known for such hits as Manureva, La Fièvre Dans Le Sang and Géant.
The deal comprises 13 of Chamfort’s albums, representing a majority of the 21 albums he’s released since the early 1970s, counting live albums and compilations. Among them are Poses, Amour Année Zéro, Tendres Fièvres and Secrets Glacés.
Additionally, Chamfort has signed with BMG for his future recordings. That includes an EP with singer, songwriter and producer Sébastien Tellier, titled Alain Chamfort produit par Sébastien Tellier, to be released in January 2024.
Two months later, Chamfort will release his final album, L’Impermanence. BMG will then reissue a number of albums from Chamfort’s career.
Chamfort has been releasing albums consistently for the past 50 years, starting with Je Pense A Elle, Elle Pense A Moi, in 1973. BMG describes him as “an example of top-notch songwriting and constant artistic renewal.”
Born Alain Le Govic in 1949, Chamfort started his musical career as a pianist in bands, including jazz ensemble The Dreamers, and as a backing musician for French stars of the 1970s, before embarking on a solo career.
His breakthrough came in 1977 with the release of the album Rock’n Rose and its hit single Baby Lou, which began a longtime collaboration between him and lyricist Serge Gainsbourg (father of renowned singer and actor Charlotte Gainsbourg).
Chamfort and Gainsbourg followed that up with 1979’s Poses, which included the hit Manureva, which sold more than a million copies, as well as the hits Géant and Palais Royal.
“My music has found a new home with BMG, and I’m excited for the next chapter in the common hope that my songs will continue to resonate and connect with audiences,” Chamfort said in a statement.
“Acquiring Alain Chamfort’s catalog is a significant milestone for BMG, reflecting on our commitment to preserving and promoting musical legacies in France and beyond,” said Sylvain Gazaignes, BMG Managing Director France.
Maximilian Kolb, BMG’s EVP Repertoire & Marketing Continental Europe, added: “Alain Chamfort’s catalogue is a valuable addition to BMG, representing a rich musical history. We look forward to reintroducing his iconic works to both existing and new audiences.”
“My music has found a new home with BMG, and I’m excited for the next chapter in the common hope that my songs will continue to resonate and connect with audiences.”
Alain Chamfort
The deal is part of an ongoing global acquisition program by BMG, which saw the Germany-headquartered company spend around USD $400 million on rights in 2022. BMG CEO Thomas Coesfeld revealed in October that BMG expects to spend “a similar” amount on catalog acquisitions in 2023 as it did last year.
The Chamfort deal comes a few months after BMG made another significant acquisition in the French music market, the recorded catalog of French DJ and electronic music artist Martin Solveig.
It comes a day after the company announced that it has increased its stake in the rights of German pop group Nena, the band behind the iconic 1980s hit 99 Luftballoons. BMG said that was its 27th rights acquisition deal this year.
“Acquiring Alain Chamfort’s catalog is a significant milestone for BMG, reflecting on our commitment to preserving and promoting musical legacies in France and beyond.”
Sylvain Gazaignes, BMG
Additionally this year, the company acquired the recording catalog of British pop-rock band The Hollies and the Australia/New Zealand recorded music rights of two albums by rock band Jet. On top of that, UK electronic music duo The Chemical Brothers consolidated their entire catalog with BMG earlier this year.
Over the past few years BMG has acquired rights and/or royalties in the work of artists and/or songwriters including Tina Turner, John Legend, Mötley Crüe, ZZ Top, Mick Fleetwood, Peter Frampton, Harry Nilsson, John Lee Hooker, Simple Minds, Primal Scream and Jean-Michel Jarre, among others.Music Business Worldwide
