Sony/ATV has laid its hands on Take That classics such as Back For Good and Never Forget as it extends its deal with lead songwriter Gary Barlow.
The songs were originally part of the Virgin Music catalogue, which EMI bought in 1992 as part of its takeover of Virgin Records.
When Sony/ATV acquired EMI Music Publishing in 2012, Virgin Music – including these early Take That songs – had to be sold off as part of getting the deal through regulators.
BMG ended up buying it, alongside the Famous Music catalogue.
However, three years on, Sony/ATV has got Barlow’s stake in the songs back: it will now represent the singer/songwriter’s full catalogue as part of a long-term agreement that also covers future works.
Sony/ATV UK Managing Director and President of European Creative Guy Moot said: “Gary Barlow is a one-man phenomenon and rightly hailed as one of the greatest ever British songwriters.
“The songs he has written for Take That have thrilled several generations and contain countless classics, but that is only one part of his incredible story as he also has a flourishing solo career, has written for numerous other artists and now has a successful musical on Broadway.”
Gary Barlow said: “I’ve had an amazing journey over this past decade since first signing with Sony/ATV, which has involved me writing for some amazing artists, the return of Take That and now having a show on Broadway.
“Sony/ATV have been hugely supportive along the way and I’m excited that they will now be looking after my entire song catalogue for the first time.”
“Sony/ATV have been hugely supportive along the way and I’m excited that they will now be looking after my entire catalogue for the first time.”
Gary Barlow
Gary Barlow has penned 13 UK No. 1 singles both with Take That and as a solo artist.
His honors includes six Ivor Novellos and an OBE from the Queen.
Built around Barlow’s songwriting, Take That’s early hits included A Million Love Songs, Why Can’t I Wake Up With You, Pray, Babe, Everything Changes, Love Ain’t Here Anymore, Sure, Back For Good and Never Forget.
When Take That split in 1996 Barlow launched a solo career which opened with two UK No. 1 singles, including the self-penned Forever Love, as well as a No. 1 album, Open Road.
These, his other early solo repertoire and songs from the original incarnation of Take That will now be looked after by Sony/ATV in addition to his other songs.
Take That announced they were reforming in 2005. Following its 2006 release, Beautiful World went on to sell 2.8 million copies in the UK alone. It included the chart-topping hits Patience and Shine, both co-written by Barlow and the rest of the band.
Shine won the group an Ivor Novello as it was named PRS for Music Most Performed Work.
Barlow later shared with the group another Ivor for Outstanding Contribution to British Music.
Another big hit followed with Rule The World, while Take That’s 2008 album The Circus was another No. 1 and included the chart-topping single, Greatest Day.
The albums Progress (2010) and III (2014) delivered further No. 1s and more hit singles, including The Flood and These Days.
Barlow also successfully relaunched his solo career with the chart-topping album Since I Saw You Last and hit single Let Me Go taken from his first solo album in 14 years, Since I Saw You Last, which sold 700,000 copies in the UK.
He now also has a hit musical on his hands as the co-writer with Eliot Kennedy of Finding Neverland. It opened on New York’s Broadway in March with a cast including Matthew Morrison, Laura Michelle Kelly, Kelsey Grammer and Teal Wicks.
It last month won four honours at the Audience Choice Awards in the US, including being named Favourite New Musical.Music Business Worldwide
