Elvis Inks Publishing Deal With BMG
• Elvis Costello, acknowledged as one of the UK’s greatest living songwriters, has signed a worldwide, exclusive music publishing deal with BMG to represent his life’s work, including his latest album The Boy Named If, which last week entered the Official UK Albums Chart at No. 6, his highest chart position since 1994.
Under the terms of the agreement, BMG will administer the rights to all of Costello’s songs dating back to his landmark 1977 debut album My Aim Is True. His catalogue includes songs featured on over 32 studio albums, including such timeless classics such as “Alison,” “Watching The Detectives,” “Everyday I Write The Book, “Pump It Up” and “Veronica.” His first three studio albums (released in 1977-79) all appear in Rolling Stone‘s list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time.”
A two-time Grammy Award winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Costello has written songs with Burt Bacharach, Paul McCartney, and Carole King, and his songs have been covered by his wife, Diana Krall, Linda Ronstadt, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Zucchero, Dave Edmunds, and Chet Baker, and have spawned at least six tribute albums from other artists.
Alistair Norbury, BMG President Repertoire & Marketing UK, said, “It’s not often that a catalogue as distinguished as Elvis Costello’s becomes available. We look forward to working with Elvis and his management to further raise awareness and appreciation of one of the greatest songwriters the UK has produced.” Ian Ramage, BMG VP A&R UK, said, “Elvis really is the songwriters’ songwriter. As a music publisher, this is the quality of work we all aspire to represent.” Pictured, (l-r): Alistair Norbury, Elvis Costello, Ian Ramage, and BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch [Photo © BMG]
