Primary Wave Music has acquired the artist royalties of Bob Burns, best known as the original drummer and founding member of iconic southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Described by Primary Wave as a “multi-million-dollar deal”, the acquisition encompasses all recordings from the band’s debut album (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd), as well as their sophomore album, Second Helping.
The news marks Primary Wave’s latest multi-million deal, after announcing an agreement with singer, songwriter, and producer Stevie Van Zandt at the beginning of February.
Released in 1973, the debut album would go on to sell over 2 million copies in the US alone.
Their sophomore album, Second Helping, was released just a year later, and debuted in the Top 20 on the Billboard album chart.
Both albums featured some of the band’s biggest hits which are included such as Free Bird, Gimme Three Steps, Simple Man, and Sweet Home Alabama.
To date, Lynyrd Skynyrd has sold over 28 million albums in the US alone. In 2006, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Burns helped form Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1964 along with Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, and Larry Junstrom. He remained with the band until 1974. In 1996, Burns participated in a performance to promote Freebird: The Movie.
Burns played on all of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s early demos, recorded in 1970, as well as songs recorded in 1972 on the album Skynyrd’s First and… Last. In the early 1970s, Rickey Medlocke occasionally played drums alongside Burns for a number of live shows.
On March 13, 2006, he rejoined Lynyrd Skynyrd for one performance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction as he played alongside Gary Rossington, Billy Powell, Ed King, Artimus Pyle, and the Honkettes.
Other deals struck by Primary Wave include the acquisition in November of the copyrights to hit Whitney Houston songs as part of a deal for about 60 songs written by songwriters Shannon Rubicam and George Merrill, of American pop-music duo Boy Meets Girl.
In January, Primary Wave Music acquired the music rights of Robby Krieger and the late Ray Manzarek of legendary US rock band, The Doors.
In October, Primary Wave struck a $2 billion deal with financial giant Brookfield, which included the acquisition of a minority stake in Primary Wave and Brookfield investing $1.7 billion into a new “permanent capital vehicle”.
“To have Bob Burns’ contribution to this iconic music as part of our catalog is an incredible honor and the team at Primary Wave will ensure that his legacy is recognized by generations to come.”
Samantha Rhulen, Primary Wave Music
“Lynyrd Skynyrd’s first two albums are timeless and are celebrated to this day,” said Samantha Rhulen, SVP, Business & Legal Affairs at Primary Wave Music.
“To have Bob Burns’ contribution to this iconic music as part of our catalog is an incredible honor and the team at Primary Wave will ensure that his legacy is recognized by generations to come.”Music Business Worldwide
