Tina Turner Becomes Latest Musician To Sell Their Catalog
Tina Turner is the latest musician to make headlines over brokering a major deal involving the sale of their catalog and other properties.
Turner’s catalog deal is with Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG), and in a press release, BMG details, “The transaction includes Tina Turner’s artist’s share of her recordings, her music publishing writer’s share, neighboring rights and name, image, and likeness.”
In a statement, Turner said, “Like any artist, the protection of my life’s work, my musical inheritance, is something personal. I am confident that with BMG and Warner Music my work is in professional and reliable hands.”
BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch added, “Tina Turner’s musical journey has inspired hundreds of millions of people around the world and continues to reach new audiences. We are honored to take on the job of managing Tina Turner’s musical and commercial interests. It is a responsibility we take seriously and will pursue diligently. She is truly and simply, the best.”
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Turner’s catalog and other rights joins BMG’s impressive roster of artists that also includes Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Mick Fleetwood, Roger Waters, Kurt Cobain, Blondie, David Bowie, Scorpions, The Kinks, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and more.
BMG did not disclose the price tag on this deal, but BBC News reports, “…industry sources said the figure would be north of $50m.”
Catalog and other rights deals like Turner’s have been very popular in the rock world as of late. In August, Aerosmith struck a deal with Universal Music Group (UMG) that includes their entire musical catalog and personal archives. In May, Red Hot Chili Peppers sold their catalog to Hipgnosis Songs for between $140 million and $150 million. In December 2020, Bob Dylan sold his entire songwriting catalog to Universal Music Publishing Group for a reported $300 million.