Primary Wave Music Publishing has agreed what it called ‘a multi-million dollar deal’ with British Band Culture Club – an agreement which see the New York-based company acquire an undisclosed stake in the band’s publishing and master recording income stream.
Included in the deal are some of Culture Club’s biggest hits such as “Karma Chameleon,” “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya,” and “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me.”
Formed in London in 1981, Culture Club, led by frontman Boy George (pictured), have sold more than 150 million records worldwide.
In the ’80s alone, they racked up seven Top 10 hits in the U.K., six Top 10 singles in the U.S. and their smash hit “Karma Chameleon” went on to become the biggest selling single of 1983.
Discussing the Primary Wave deal, Boy George said: “My songs are very precious to me. They are the story of my life. I wanted to partner with Primary Wave as they respect the legacy but also understand I want the songs heard.”
He added: “Primary Wave were a pleasure to deal with. They acted as partners from day one. The right partners with the right experience and definitely a new way of thinking. Primary Wave are ahead of their time (So was I! Wink!).”
“I wanted to partner with Primary Wave as they respect the legacy but also understand I want the songs heard.”
Boy George
Boy George’s attorney, Jeremy Rosen, commented: “Since winning the Grammy for Best New Artist in 1984, Boy George and Culture Club defined a generation of pop music and style with countless nostalgic classics and over 150 million records sold. I am very proud to facilitate this Primary Wave partnership to ensure that their legacy continues to evolve and enrich our lives.”
“We are elated to have Boy George and Culture Club joining the growing Primary Wave family.” says Lawrence Mestel, CEO & Founder of Primary Wave Music Publishing.
“I have personally been a fan of their music for decades and their songs still stand the test of time. Boy George was way ahead of his time in music, fashion, and culture. A true original. We look forward to an amazing partnership and bringing new life into these classic new wave hits.”
A report in the New York Post yesterday suggests that Primary Wave, which recently inked a deal with the Whitney Houston Estate, plans to ‘attempt to win back [Culture Club’s] remaining copyrights’.
That would mean a deal with fellow publisher BMG, which owns the band’s publishing rights.
Primary Wave Music Publishing, founded in 2006, has acquired the copyrights of over 15,000 songs to date from the catalogs of artists such as Bob Marley, Smokey Robinson, Kurt Cobain, Aerosmith, John Lennon, Def Leppard, Hall & Oates, Whitney Houston, Chicago, Glenn Gould, Free, Brenda Russell, Tom Cochrane, Holly Knight, Lamont Dozier, Steve Cropper, CeeLo Green, Blue Mountain Music, Count Basie, Tom Hamilton, Sly & The Family Stone, Leon Russell, Bill Gaither, and many others.Music Business Worldwide
