Michael Jackson and Sony's Sony/ATV Music Publishing has
acquired Famous Music LLC from Viacom it was announced on May
30.
Famous Music's catalogue includes over 125,000 songs, giving
Sony/ATV ownership of classic songs like That's Amore,
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Aint Got That Swing), and
Silver Bells, while contemporary hits like Hips Don't
Like (Shakira), The Real Slim Shady and Without
Me (Eminem) are also included in the purchase.
"This is a milestone event for Sony/ATV Music Publishing,"
Michael Jackson said in a statement. "The diverse collection of
songs in this catalogue range from timeless classics to
contemporary hits, and I am pleased to add the acquisition of
Famous Music to Sony/ATV."
Famous Music also owns the musical catalogs of artists like
Bjork, Duke Ellington, Bush, Boyz II Men, and Beck.
Current songwriters on the company's roster include Akon,
Shakira, Busta Rhymes, Eminem, Nappy Roots, Linda Perry, Fred
Jerkins III, 7Aurelius and others.
Famous' Extreme division also supplies high quality recordings
and musical compositions for use in TV and radio advertisements,
film and television productions, major network and cable broadcasts
worldwide.
"The Famous Music catalogue is a world-class asset filled with
evergreen songs that people know and love," added Martin N.
Bandier, Chairman and CEO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing. "The depth
and breadth of the catalogue is what truly makes it great, and I
strongly believe that the addition of the Famous catalogue and its
songwriters to Sony/ATV is another step in our long-range growth
plans. In addition, we are pleased to be entering the production
music business through Famous' Extreme division. Extreme's valuable
creative team and unique business model will be a terrific
complement to our core music publishing business."
Famous Music was founded in 1928 and is one the largest
independent music publishers.
The purchase of Famous Music comes on the heels of Sony/ATV's
acquisition of the legendary body of work published by Jerry Leiber
and Mike Stoller, who wrote, arranged and produced hits like Elvis
Presley's Jailhouse Rock, The Drifters' On
Broadway, Wilbert Harrison's Kansas City and the
Clovers' Love Potion No. 9, The Coasters' Yakety
Yak and numerous other hits.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing was established in 1995 by Michael
Jackson and Sony.
The company owns or administers over 500,000 copyrights,
including works by The Beatles, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, The
Everly Brothers, Hank Williams, Jimi Hendrix and numerous
others.
(Agencies June 1, 2007)
