BMG has acquired the recording catalog of influential British Rock and Pop band, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, The Hollies.
BMG says that the transaction forms part of its long-term strategy “to create a 21st century home for the most iconic music rights in popular music history”.
The company says that it concluded more than 45 acquisitions over the course of 2022 and adds that it “expects to announce further transactions shortly”.
In the past two years, Bertelsmann-owned 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.
BMG already represents or owns rights in the work of artists including Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Roger Waters, Kurt Cobain, Aerosmith, Devo, Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly, Jim Croce, Iggy Pop, Blondie, David Bowie, Scorpions, The Kinks, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Motörhead, and more.
Under the agreement with the Hollies, the deal includes more than 20 studio, compilation, live, and tribute album titles and rarities, wholly owned by the group, spanning 1967 to present.
Many of those albums feature the band’s classic lineups of Bobby Elliott, Tony Hicks, Allan Clarke, Eric Haydock, Terry Sylvester, Bernie Calvert, and Graham Nash.
Album titles include Evolution and Butterfly (1967), Hollies Sing Dylan and Hollies Sing Hollies (1969), Confessions of the Mind (1970); Distant Light (1971), Romany (1972), Out on the Road (1973); Hollies (1974), Another Night (1975), Write On and Russian Roulette (1976), Hollies Live Hits (1977), A Crazy Steal (1978), Five Three One – Double Seven O Four (1979), Buddy Holly (1980), and Then, Now, Always (2009).
The transaction also brings to BMG eight of their Top 10 most streamed tracks on Spotify including many of The Hollies hit singles Carrie Anne; King Midas In Reverse, Jennifer Eccles, On A Carousel, UK No.1 He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother, Platinum-certified, No.1 single Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress), and the Platinum-certified chart-topper The Air That I Breathe, as well as the group’s cover versions of 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy) [Bruce Springsteen], Boulder to Birmingham [Emmylou Harris], and Say It Ain’t So, Jo [Head].
“BMG’s history as a trusted custodian of some of music’s greatest works assures we know our music and legacy will continue to live on for generations to come.”
The Hollies
In a statement from The Hollies, the group said: “BMG’s history as a trusted custodian of some of music’s greatest works assures we know our music and legacy will continue to live on for generations to come.”
“The Hollies spearheaded the ‘British Invasion’ of the Sixties, and we are delighted to have secured rights to their golden period in the US, including Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress).”
Thomas Scherer, BMG
Thomas Scherer, BMG’s President, Repertoire & Marketing, New York and Los Angeles, added: “The Hollies spearheaded the ‘British Invasion’ of the Sixties, and we are delighted to have secured rights to their golden period in the US, including Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress).
“We are honored to represent their continuing creative legacy.”Music Business Worldwide
