Iconic Partners With Iconic Linda Ronstadt
• The legendary Linda Ronstadt has become the latest iconic rock star to sell her recorded music assets to Irving Azoff‘s new venture, Iconic Artists Group, which “is dedicated to acquiring, and actively managing a portfolio of select artists’ assets and preserving the important legacy of these music icons.” Iconic will partner with Ronstadt and her team (including her manager, John Boylan and personal assistant, Janet Stark) to market her catalogue and preserve her legacy in the digital era. Known for her huge hits and incredible covers of songs such as Roy Orbison‘s “Blue Bayou,” Eagles‘ “Desperado,” and The Everly Brothers‘ “When Will I Be Loved,” to name just a few, Ronstadt has excelled as an interpreter of songs and transformed the songs she sang, making them her own. As a female trailblazer, it’s fitting that Ronstadt just won her 11th Grammy Award for “Best Music Film” for her heartfelt documentary Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice during Women’s History Month.
“I’m very pleased about this partnership,” said Ronstadt. “It’s extremely gratifying to be in the company of Irving Azoff, his team, and his family of great artists, many of whom have been my friends and colleagues for years. It feels like home.”
The deal with Ronstadt comes on the heels of Iconic’s recent announcement to purchase David Crosby‘s catalogue, including his publishing and recorded music rights, of his solo work, and his work with The Byrds; Crosby & Nash; Crosby, Stills & Nash; and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Iconic also recently partnered with the legendary Beach Boys to purchase a controlling stake in their catalog, including sound recordings, the brand, select musical compositions, and memorabilia.
Azoff, Chairman & CEO of The Azoff Company, commented, “In 1972 when I arrived in Los Angeles to pursue my dreams in the music business, as fate would have it, I soon thereafter became best friends and manager to Glenn Frey and Don Henley. Without Linda Ronstadt and John Boylan, there would have never been an Eagles. We were friends and family and grew up together, and what a ride it has been. The countless tours together with the Eagles and Linda and their collaborations are the backbone of the history of Southern California music. For Linda and John to entrust us with the honor of furthering her work is one of the most satisfying moments of my career. Linda’s talent is unparalleled, but her courage and commitment to make important music of many genres is her legacy. We will preserve that legacy for her at all costs. Thank you, Linda and John. We won’t let you down.” [Photo credit Sam Sargent]
