WCM Inks Deal With Mick Jones
• Warner Chappell Music (WCM) has signed an exclusive global publishing agreement with Mick Jones, the founding member of Foreigner.
Jones, a Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, and Grammy & Golden Globe-nominated rock legend, is the creative force behind such iconic songs as “I Want to Know What Love Is,” “Urgent,” “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Long, Long Way From Home,” and the global #1 hit, “Waiting For A Girl Like You.” Formed in 1976, Foreigner has become one of the world’s best-selling groups, with global sales exceeding 80 million. Warner Music’s Rhino Entertainment represents Foreigner’s catalog.
Guy Moot, WCM Co-Chair & CEO, said, “Mick is a multi-generational songwriter whose extraordinary talent and distinctive guitar playing have defined an entire era of rock and roll. Today, he continues to elevate Foreigner as one of the world’s greatest bands with a catalog of songs for every occasion. This deal was made possible by our excellent team at WCM and Warner Music Group’s President of Global Catalog, Kevin Gore, as well as Mick’s managers and my good friends Stewart Young and Phil Carson. It’s both an honor and a privilege to represent Mick’s life’s work, and we look forward to exploring new opportunities together.”
Jones conveyed his enthusiasm over the deal, commenting, “I am thrilled to announce that Foreigner, Warner Chappell Music, and Warner Music Group have come full circle, returning to the very place where our story began. It all kicked off with ‘Feels Like The First Time’ years ago. It is incredible to see Foreigner’s music and legacy now in the capable hands of this remarkable team, including my son, Alexander Dexter-Jones, serving as Executive Vice President of Somerset Songs, marking an important addition to this milestone in our musical odyssey.”
Outside of his work with the band, Jones has maintained a solo career as a producer, working with Bad Company and producing the best-selling albums of Billy Joel (Storm Front) and Van Halen (5150). He co-wrote the Grammy Award-winning song “Bad Love” with Eric Clapton and “Dreamer” with Ozzy Osbourne. This past July, Foreigner commenced its two-year Farewell Tour, the second leg of which will begin in June 2024 with a 40-show adventure across America.
Recordings of classic Foreigner songs by the current band line-up will now come under a new licensing agreement between Rhino, Mick Jones, and Trigger Productions. Jones was represented in the deal by Jonas Herbsman of Herbsman Hafer Weber & Frisch. [Photo credit: Bill Bernstein]
