Advertisement

David Bowie’s estate sells catalogue for reported $250million

Warner Chappell Music now owns the publishing rights after months of negotiations

Trending Now

David Bowie’s estate has sold the late singer’s publishing catalogue to Warner Chappell Music for a price reported to be upwards of $250million (£186million).

That’s according to sources who confirmed the news to Variety on January 3, revealing that a deal has been reached after months of negotiations.

The catalogue spans Bowie‘s career from 1968 to 2016, including songs from the musician’s 26 solo studio albums and the two albums from his Tin Machine side project. Bowie‘s “lost” 2001 posthumous album, Toy, which is released this Friday (January 7), also falls under the agreement.

Advertisement

Last year, Warner Music announced that it was bringing all of Bowie’s albums under the Warner umbrella, including the ones that were originally released on Sony Music.

It’s the latest in a wide-ranging series of deals by Warner Chappell, which includes catalogue deals with Bruno Mars, Cardi B, Quincy Jones, Anderson .Paak, Saweetie and the estate of George Michael, among many others.

David Bowie
David Bowie and bassist Trevor Bolder do Ziggy in LA; 1973. Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Warner Chappell Music Co-Chair and CEO Guy Moot said: “All of us at Warner Chappell are immensely proud that the David Bowie estate has chosen us to be the caretakers of one of the most groundbreaking, influential, and enduring catalogs in music history. These are not only extraordinary songs, but milestones that have changed the course of modern music forever.

Bowie’s vision and creative genius drove him to push the envelope, lyrically and musically – writing songs that challenged convention, changed the conversation, and have become part of the canon of global culture. His work spanned massive pop hits and experimental adventures that have inspired millions of fans and countless innovators, not only in music, but across all the arts, fashion, and media.

“We are looking forward to tending his unparalleled body of songs with passion and care as we strive to build on the legacy of this most extraordinary human being.”

Originally published on NME
Advertisement

Latest Issue

Advertisement

Features

Advertisement