Judas Priest receive plaque to celebrate 50 years of metal and 50 million albums sold on November 4, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Scott Kirkland/PictureGroup for Epic Records)
Reach Music Publishing has acquired both the master and publishing rights of Judas Priest’s Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings of Destiny albums from Gull Entertainments.
Reach says it will be working in partnership with Judas Priest on these two albums and is planning a variety of projects to be announced later this year, including special releases for the 50th anniversary of Rocka Rolla in 2024.
Rocka Rolla and Sad Wingsof Destiny are Judas Priest’s first two albums, released by Gull Records in 1974 and 1976 respectively.
They are seen as important albums in the development of heavy metal music, beginning the band’s 50-year history and containing classic songs such as Victim of Changes, The Ripper and Rocka Rolla.
Judas Priest subsequently signed to CBS Records (now Sony Music) to release their third album in 1977, but the ownership rights of both masters and publishing to the first two Judas Priest albums remained with Gull for almost 50 years — until their sale to Reach.
Prior to this deal with Gull, Reach already had an existing relationship with Judas Priest as the co-publisher of band member Glenn Tipton.
In 2021, Reach Music announced the acquisition of a 50% copyright interest in, as well as worldwide administration rights to, the Glenn Tipton song catalog, beginning with songs released in 1977, and including iconic tracks such as Breaking The Law, Living After Midnight and You’ve Got Another Thing Coming.
The current acquisition from Gull reunites the full catalog with Tipton and Reach, to include compositions from the 1974 and 1976 Judas Priest album releases.
Furthermore, in addition to Glenn Tipton, the acquisition of the first two Judas Priest albums sees Reach enter into deals with the other members of Judas Priest from that time period — Rob Halford, Ian Hill and K.K. Downing; as Reach will be representing the compositions co-written by them from those two albums.
“The acquisition of the masters and publishing for the albums Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings of Destiny was a monumental opportunity for Reach Music, coming not long after Judas Priest’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.”
Michael Closter, Reach Music
Michael Closter, President and owner of Reach Music, said: “The acquisition of the masters and publishing for the albums Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings of Destiny was a monumental opportunity for Reach Music, coming not long after Judas Priest’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
“This deal happened with the approval of Judas Priest and their manager Jayne Andrews, and I’m so excited to begin working closely with them on a variety of special projects, including releasing high-quality reissues.”
“I want to thank David Howells, owner of Gull, who signed Judas Priest in 1974 and released their first two albums. He has had, and continues to have, a remarkable career spanning 65 years in the music industry. Thank you for your trust in doing this sale for these essential and historically important Judas Priest albums.”
“I’m very happy to have met Michael Closter and to pass the mantle on to Reach Music after Gull Records first released these Judas Priest albums almost 50 years ago.”
David Howells
David Howells (pictured, left inset, alongside Michael Closter), said: “I’m very happy to have met Michael Closter and to pass the mantle on to Reach Music after Gull Records first released these Judas Priest albums almost 50 years ago.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what projects Reach and Judas Priest do together in the future with these iconic recordings.”Music Business Worldwide
