BMG has acquired what it says are the “core musical interests” of legendary Scottish Rock Band Simple Minds.
According to BMG, the deal with core Band members Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill includes the publishing rights to more than 240 songs on five UK No. 1 albums, the band’s neighboring rights and royalties from the band. their entire registered catalog.
BMG says the acquisition of the Simple Minds catalog is its eighth acquisition in the UK this year. The company announced in April that it had acquired a 50% stake in Primal Scream’s music publishing interests.
BMG notes that the deal marks the culmination of a long-standing relationship between BMG and Simple Minds.
The company previously served as the group’s publishing catalog administrator and released their 2018 album Walk between worlds.
Last month, BMG announced the release of the band’s latest studio album, direction of the heartOctober 21.
Centered around frontman Jim Kerr and guitarist and keyboardist Charlie Burchill, Simple Minds has generated career sales of over 60 million albums.
Their five official UK No. 1 albums include shine in the rain (1984), Once upon a time (1985), Living in the City of Light (1987), years of street fighting (1989) and Sparkling price 81/92 (1992).
The group received the Q Inspiration Award in 2014 for their contribution to the music industry and in 2016 the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection.
Some of the band’s key songs include Love song, The American, I promised you a miracle, Sparkling price, Waterside, Someone somewhere in the summer, Alive and healthy and Belfast Child.
American No. 1, Don’t forget me (forget me), was written by Keith Forsey, which means it does not fall under the publishing acquisition, but BMG says it will collect royalties from the recorded and neighboring rights to the track.
After a two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Simple Minds began touring again on March 31, playing to over 500,000 people across Europe.
The tour will continue through the summer and conclude on September 17 in Leeds, England, with a headlining show at the Radio 2 Live Festival.
“There are few bands that can claim to have changed music, but over a span of 45 years Simple Minds have done just that.”
Alistair Norbury, BMG
Alistair Norbury, Chairman of BMG Repertoire & Marketing UK, said: “Few bands can claim to have changed music, but over a period of 45 years Simple Minds have done just that.
“It’s been a long yard run, but we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to be stewards of their outstanding catalog. We’re thrilled that BMG is now the musical home of Simple Minds, past, present and future.
“We are very happy to have reached this agreement. This is a good time for us and our families. We look forward to working with everyone at BMG.
Jim Kerr
Jim Kerr said: “We are very pleased to have reached this agreement. This is a good time for us and our families. We look forward to working with everyone at BMG.
BMG’s deal with Simple Minds in the UK follows other recent rights acquisitions from artists including Mick Fleetwood, Tina Turner, ZZ Top and Mötley Crüe.The music industry around the world
