Las Vegas rock band The Killers have sold their pre-2020 music publishing catalog, including hits like Human and Mr. Brightside to Eldridge, a holding company with a network of businesses across entertainment, finance, technology, and real estate.
The deal marks the first music catalog transaction for Eldridge, which has reportedly acquired the publishers and the writers’ share of the catalog, covering the band’s first five albums.
The Killers will continue to own their share of master recording income, including from syncs secured by Eldridge and the band.
Universal Music Publishing Group will continue to administer the band’s catalog, reports Billboard.
While the sum of the deal has not been disclosed, the potential scale of the catalog’s value can be guess-timated by taking into account the fact that another contemporary pop/rock band, Imagine Dragons, sold their song catalog to Concord for more than $100m just three months ago.
Amongst the Killer’s back catalog are hits like Somebody Told Me, Human and the evergreen smash Mr. Brightside, which is approaching 1 billion streams (currently 998m) on Spotify alone.
The Killers have sold 28 million albums worldwide since forming in Las Vegas in 2001, according to a press statement.
The band’s six consecutive best-selling studio albums: Hot Fuss (2004), Sam’s Town (2006), Day & Age (2008), Battle Born (2012), Wonderful Wonderful (2017) and Imploding the Mirage (2020) have all charted above the Top 10 on the Billboard 200, with every one reaching No.1 in the United Kingdom.
The band has received multiple Grammy nominations, American Music Award nominations, MTV Video Music Awards, NME Awards and more.
The Killers are also one of the biggest live bands of their generation, headlining the biggest stadia and festivals in over 50 countries across six continents.
The Killers were advised by John Rudolph (with Kirsten Wilson and Gillian Ryan) of 1.618 Industries, Inc. (formerly Music Analytics, a leading music IP advisor) with counsel provided by Jason Karlov and Amanda Taber of Barnes & Thornburg and Robert Reynolds of Reynolds and Associates.
“Eldridge’s broad network across music, television, and film will provide new opportunities for our music to be enjoyed by millions across the globe.”
Brandon Flowers, The Killers
“We have the greatest fans in the world,” said Brandon Flowers, lead singer of The Killers.
“Eldridge’s broad network across music, television, and film will provide new opportunities for our music to be enjoyed by millions across the globe.”
“The Killers have been an icon of American music for nearly two decades.”
Tony Minella, Eldridge
Tony Minella, Co-founder and President of Eldridge, added: “The Killers have been an icon of American music for nearly two decades
“As huge fans ourselves, we’re excited to partner with an incredibly talented band that has such an original sound, impactful lyrics, and the remarkable ability to connect generations through their music.”
Eldridge, co-founded by Chairman Todd L. Boehly, is headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut.Music Business Worldwide