The Music Sales Group has further bolstered its catalogue with the acquisition of French publishing company Bleu Blanc Rouge (BBR) from Belgian record producer and songwriter Jean Kluger.
It follows a string of recent deals for the independent publisher that include acquiring the publishing catalogue of 78-year-old French firm Le Chant du Monde from [PIAS] in November.
Earlier in June, Music Sales acquired the US publishing rights to The Twist, written by Hank Ballard and recorded by Chubby Checker.
BBR was established by Jean Kluger and his wife Huguette in Paris in 1967 and includes a string of tracks written by Kluger in partnership with his writing and producing partner Daniel Vangarde.
Those include ‘D.I.S.C.O.’, ‘Cuba’, ‘Que Sera Mi Vida (If You Should Go)’, ‘Hands Up’ and many more.
The firm had its first hit in 1968 with the Russian dance track ‘Casatschok’.
Alongside Claude Bolling, BBR created the group Les Parisiennes, who performed and recorded some 60 songs by Pierre Perret, Françoise Dorin, Frank Gérald, Pierre Delanoé and more.
BBR also publishes film music by Bolling such as the theme for ‘Borsalino’ and the soundtrack of ‘Le Mur de l’Atlantique’.
“We are delighted to have made this significant acquisition and to have the opportunity to work with Jean and his wonderful catalogue of evergreen songs.”
chris butler, music sales
Music Sales’ Head of Publishing Chris Butler said: “We are delighted to have made this significant acquisition and to have the opportunity to work with Jean and his wonderful catalogue of evergreen songs.
“We intend to take great care of the Kluger legacy.”
“I’ve known Music Sales since I started in the business. Today I’m proud to be part of their family.”
jean kluger
Kluger added: “I’ve known Music Sales since I started in the business. Each time I travelled to London I used to visit their shops and buy the latest hits. Today I’m proud to be part of their family.”
Other BBR rights include jazz albums and discs by arrangers such as André Popp, Jean Bouchéty and Gustavo Beytelmann.
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