BMG completes deal for Hooker, Hal David and ARC Music catalogs
BMG says it now fully controls three heavyweight publishing archives tied to blues, pop and rock history.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
BMG has tightened its grip on a deep slice of American song history, saying it has acquired the remaining interests in the publishing catalogs tied to John Lee Hooker, Hal David and ARC Music.
The company said the move finishes a deal that began in 2016, when BMG bought a majority stake in the ARC Music catalog from Fuji Music Group. BMG had first teamed with Fuji in 2010 to administer the catalog before taking that majority position.
The latest transaction gives BMG the remaining interest in the publishing catalog of Hal David, the Grammy and Academy Award-winning lyricist best known for his work with Burt Bacharach and Dionne Warwick.
David’s catalog includes songs such as “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again,” “Walk On By,” “What The World Needs Now Is Love,” “I Say A Little Prayer,” “Do You Know The Way To San Jose?,” “Don’t Make Me Over” and “What’s New Pussycat?,” according to BMG.
BMG also said the deal brings John Lee Hooker’s full publishing catalog under its roof for the first time. The company and Fuji Music Group had co-acquired rights from Hooker’s estate in 2022.
Hooker, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, wrote songs including “Boom Boom,” “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer,” “Dimples” and “Boogie Chillen’,” BMG said.
ARC Music, the publishing counterpart to Chess Records, is also part of the acquisition. Founded in 1948 by Leonard and Phil Chess, the catalog includes songs associated with Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Etta James and others, according to the company.
Monti Olson, BMG’s executive vice president and head of publishing for North America, said the catalogs are central works in modern music and that completing ownership strengthens BMG’s role in preserving and promoting major American songs.
More moves across the music business
BMG also announced a new global recordings agreement with Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Michelle Branch. The deal arrives with a new version of “The Game of Love” by New Radicals and Michelle Branch, and ahead of Branch’s re-recorded EP “Everywhere and Back Again,” which BMG said is due later this year.
Nice Life, the label associated with the Marías and Lizzo, said it has signed Hank Heaven, described in the announcement as a New York City trans nonbinary artist. Heaven’s EP “Welterweight,” produced by Phil Weinrobe, is scheduled for Aug. 14.
Warner Chappell Music said David Goldsen has been promoted to executive vice president of A&R. The company said Goldsen, who is based in Los Angeles and reports to North America president Ryan Press, has worked with Zach Bryan, Sleep Token, Teddy Swims, Mitski, Vance Joy and the Red Clay Strays during his 17 years at WCM.
Reservoir Media said it has acquired the catalog of independent Latin label Nacional Records and the catalog of its publishing arm, Canciones Nacionales. Reservoir and Nacional also plan a joint venture to sign and develop recording artists and songwriters.
Sony Music Publishing Nashville said it has signed country duo Kruse Brothers to a worldwide publishing deal. Warner Chappell Nashville and Perfect Game Creative announced a global publishing deal with Texas singer-songwriter Jackson Wendell.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.