Primary Wave Music Publishing has entered into a multi-million-dollar, long-term strategic partnership with singer and My Way composer Paul Anka.
The deal covers Anka’s controlled publishing, his master rights and his name and likeness.
Anka, whose songs have been recorded by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Buddy Holly, Elvis, and Tom Jones, will have access to Primary Wave’s marketing team, branding team, publicity department, and publishing infrastructure which includes licensing and synch opportunities.
Primary Wave will work with Anka to market his name and likeness and manage all daily digital marketing activities. In addition to building awareness for Anka’s music, Primary Wave will be responsible for tour marketing, e-commerce, and other direct to fan initiatives.
Lastly, Primary Wave has entered into an administration agreement with Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Anka that includes a number of his greatest hits including “Put Your Head On My Shoulder,” “Diana,” “Lonely Boy,” “You Are My Destiny,” Academy Award nominated theme for “The Longest Day,” “The Tonight Show Theme” for Johnny Carson (the longest running theme in television history), and “Puppy Love,” to name a few.
“Paul Anka is an American icon and has penned some of the greatest songs in American culture.”
“I am very excited to be entering into this partnership at a very important chapter of my life and career with a group of people who have my utmost respect and admiration because of what and who they are as a company, under the helm of Larry Mestel,” says Anka.
He added: “I have gotten to know Larry enough to know that my lifetime’s work and efforts are secure and will flourish in his hands. I look forward to this being a very warm and rewarding experience for all in this business that is ever changing, but will be everlasting. There will always be music; it always has been and always will be about the music. As I enter my 62nd year in the business, I humbly look forward to whatever is left of this God-given gift with Primary Wave.”
“Paul Anka is an American icon and has penned some of the greatest songs in American culture,” says Lawrence Mestel, CEO & Founder of Primary Wave Music Publishing.
“He transcends time and has the most engaging, youthful spirit. It’s an honor to have Paul in the Primary Wave family.”
Anka has sold millions of records in five different languages – Spanish, French, Italian, German, and English.
He is a recipient of the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame’s Johnny Mercer Award, the prestigious French award Chevalier de Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, he has been appointed to the Order of Canada, and he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame in 2018.
Primary Wave Music Publishing has acquired the copyrights of over 15,000 songs from the catalogs of artists such as Bob Marley, Smokey Robinson, Kurt Cobain, Aerosmith, John Lennon, Def Leppard, Hall & Oates, 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, and many others.
It also administers and markets artists such as Alice Cooper, Bobby Hebb, Counting Crows, Kenny Loggins, Melissa Etheridge, and Jimmy Van Heusen.
The firm has 60+ employees today, with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Austin.Music Business Worldwide
