BMG Acquires Share Of Paul Simon’s Music
• BMG is proud to announce that it has acquired a substantial stake in the work of two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Grammy Award-winning, American musical icon Paul Simon with the purchase of his royalty income in Simon & Garfunkel recordings as well as his neighboring rights income.
Simon & Garfunkel are among the world’s best-selling artists of all time and winners of seven Grammy awards. Tracks including “The Sound Of Silence,” “The Boxer,” “Mrs. Robinson” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” reached No. 1 around the world and have been streamed hundreds of millions of times. Albums including Wednesday Morning, 3AM (1964), Sounds Of Silence (1966), Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme (1966), Bookends (1968) and Bridge Over Troubled Waters (1970) are among the most influential in music industry history.
Thomas Scherer, BMG’s President, Repertoire & Marketing, Los Angeles and New York, said, “In any list of the true greats, Paul Simon stands as one of the pillars of popular music history. We will play our part to ensure his music continues to be honored and respected.” BMG CEO-designate Thomas Coesfeld noted, “We are delighted to have secured the agreement of Paul Simon for BMG to acquire his royalty interests in Simon & Garfunkel recordings and his neighboring rights income. This is a significant transaction. Our ability to secure this deal demonstrates once again that BMG provides the best home for the greatest artists.”
Over the past two years BMG has concluded acquisitions for 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, Jean-Michel Jarre, and most recently, The Hollies, among others.
BMG already represents or owns rights in the work of iconic artists including Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Tina Turner, George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Harry Nilsson, Buddy Holly, Jim Croce, Roger Waters, Kurt Cobain, Blondie, David Bowie, Scorpions, The Kinks, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and more.
Paul Simon was represented in the transaction by Gene Salomon and Don Passman at Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman. [Photo credit: Jake Edwards, courtesy Paul Simon Music]
