Rondor Music and its parent company, Universal Music Publishing, have signed an exclusive worldwide publishing administration deal with Billy Joel that includes works from his entire 40-year career catalogue.
Standards written by Joel which feature in the deal include Just the Way You Are, Only the Good Die Young, Big Shot, Movin’ Out, Piano Man, New York State of Mind, You May Be Right, Pressure, Don’t Ask Me Why, She’s Always a Woman, We Didn’t Start The Fire and My Life.
Artists who have recorded cover versions of his songs include Beyoncé, Ray Charles, Diana Krall, Garth Brooks, Isaac Hayes, Tony Bennett, Bette Midler, Dolly Parton, Barbra Streisand, Westlife, and Barry White.
In the US and Canada, where Joel’s publishing has previously been self-administered, the new deal with Rondor will start October 1. Elsewhere around the world, the Rondor/UMPG arrangement will begin January 1, 2013 when Joel’s current administration deal expires.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled that Billy Joel has chosen to bring his songs to Rondor and UMPG,” said Zach Horowitz, Chairman and CEO of UMPG Worldwide. “There are few songwriters in the history of music that have created a catalog of such hits, depth and quality. With Rondor’s distinctive focus and care, and UMPG’s global scale, administrative infrastructure and network of worldwide sync specialists, we are uniquely positioned to maximize the extraordinary opportunities that exist for Billy’s music.”
“Publishing is a cornerstone of the music business, one of the reasons songs live and thrive around the world years after they’ve been written or recorded,” said Joel. “Rondor and Universal Music Publishing Group understand the complexities of music publishing in general and the nuances of my catalog in particular. The successful ongoing administration of my songs is in good hands under the stewardship of Rondor and UMPG.”
“Billy’s catalog is one of the greatest in contemporary music,” said Lance Freed, president of Rondor Music. “His songs are melodic and memorable, and he writes conversationally in universal themes that are timeless and borderless. Billy’s music is as important to his era as George Gershwin and Irving Berlin’s were to theirs. It’s truly an extraordinary privilege to welcome Billy to Rondor.”
A six-time Grammy winner, Joel’s albums have now sold over 150 million copies globally – over 75 million in the US alone.Music Business Worldwide
