BMG has acquired the music interests of iconic American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist John Lee Hooker from his estate.
The agreement includes his entire publishing catalog (Boom Boom, One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer, Boogie Chillen, among others), co-acquired with BMG’s longstanding partner Fujipacific Music.
The deal also includes John Lee Hooker’s entire recorded and performance royalty income, as well as a selection of Hooker’s recorded catalog spanning Alone, Vol. 1 (1980) through Black Night Is Falling (2020), acquired solely by BMG.
In a media statement announcing the deal, BMG states that, due to “what is a complex musical legacy, some rights will still remain with third parties”, but BMG will now now “take a lead role in promoting Hooker’s outstanding catalog”.
BMG currently represents or owns rights in many of blues music’s most influential artists including Son House, Willie Dixon, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Mississippi Fred McDowell, alongside many others.
The acquisition is the latest in a string of recent deals completed by BMG to acquire rights from superstar musicians.
In January last year, BMG bought Mick Fleetwood’s royalties for an array of Fleetwood Mac hits – including TikTok sensation Dreams.
In October, BMG snapped up a bundle of Tina Turner rights.
In November, the company acquired Mötley Crüe recordings catalog for around $90 million.
In December, BMG and KKR, having announced in March that they were going to buy copyrights together – confirmed a joint acquisition for the first time: “the entire music interests” of rock icons ZZ Top.
John Lee Hooker’s work is widely recognized for its impact on modern music.
Among his first recordings was Boogie Chillen (1948) which became a No.1 hit, selling over a million copies.
This success was soon followed by a string of hits, including I’m in the Mood, Crawling Kingsnake (famously covered by The Doors), and Hobo Blues.
Over the next 15 years, Hooker maintained a prolific recording schedule, releasing over 100 songs, including the most significant song of his career Boom Boom.
One of the most recognizable and memorable blues standards, Boom Boom was initially a chart success in both the US and UK, and over the years has been extensively featured in both films and commercials, while also being covered by numerous artists.
An inductee into the Blues Hall of Fame, Hooker was a recipient of a National Heritage Fellowship awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the US government’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts.
In 1991, Hooker was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, while in 1997, he was presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
A five-time Grammy award-winner, in 2000, shortly before his death, Hooker was recognized with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
“This is a rare triple-win for everyone: the Hooker family, BMG, and for the millions of John Lee Hooker fans all across the world.”
Jeff Jampol, JAM Inc
Jeff Jampol, CEO, JAM, Inc., said: “As the longtime managers of the John Lee Hooker estate, JAM, Inc. was happy to help the estate and BMG conclude this transaction.
“We are very pleased that an artist-first company like BMG will be the stewards of this great legacy moving forward, and we are grateful to remain in a consulting and management role of the John Lee Hooker legacy, in partnership with BMG, moving forward.
“This is a rare triple-win for everyone: the Hooker family, BMG, and for the millions of John Lee Hooker fans all across the world.
“We can’t wait to see – and be a part of – what’s coming next!”
“BMG will ensure John Lee Hooker’s legacy is honored and respected wherever and whenever John Lee Hooker’s music is used, performed, recorded or sold.”
Thomas Scherer, BMG
Thomas Scherer, BMG President, Repertoire & Marketing, New York and Los Angeles, added: “BMG is proud to be the definitive home of John Lee Hooker’s music, one of the key inspirations and foundation stones of popular music.
“BMG will ensure John Lee Hooker’s legacy is honored and respected wherever and whenever John Lee Hooker’s music is used, performed, recorded or sold.”
Music Business Worldwide
