Warner Chappell Music (WCM) bought the complete catalog of the British David Bowie, as announced on Monday by the multinational, which highlights that it has acquired songs published over six decades from its 26 studio albums.
Variety magazine claims that Warner has paid Bowie’s heirs more than $ 250 million (221 million euros) for the catalog of the musician who died in 2016 at the age of 69.
Among the songs purchased are hits such as “Heroes”, “Changes”, “Let’s Dance”, “Ziggy Stardust”, “Starman”, “Rebel Rebel”, “Fame”, or his collaboration with Queen from 1981, “Under Pressure”, to name the most popular.
“These are not just extraordinary songs, but milestones that have changed the course of modern music forever, “WCM CEO Guy Moot said in a statement, describing the catalog as” groundbreaking, influential and imperishable. ”
The deal also includes the posthumous album “Toy”, which will be released next Friday, and which includes new recordings made in New York in 2000 of his songs released between 1964 and 1971, along with a couple of new songs.
Last September, the record giant announced that it had taken over the rights to all the albums Bowie recorded throughout his career.
The $ 250 million figure is less than half of the $ 535 million that some British media had talked regarding in November, and it falls far short of the $ 500 million paid by Sony last December for another icon’s catalog. of music, Bruce Springsteen.
The agreement reached with Bowie’s estate has been announced less than a week following its 75th anniversary on January 8, and has been celebrated with the opening of two stores with British marketing in London. and New York, and with the November release of the “Brilliant Adventure (1992-2001)” record collection.
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