Keith Richards’ new deal brings solo catalogue to BMG
Keith Richards has signed a new worldwide deal with BMG to bring his solo recordings to BMG.
BMG has since 2013 represented the publishing of the legendary guitarist and longtime writing partner Sir Mick Jagger.
The new pact represents his 1978 debut solo single, a cover of the Christmas issue ‘Run Rudolph Run’, and four solo albums between 1988-2010.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of ‘Run Rudolph Run’, BMG is releasing a limited edition 12” red vinyl version as an exclusive for North American Record Store Day on November 23.
The track, remixed and remastered by Richards’ longtime collaborator Steve Jordan, includes a cover of Jimmy Cliff’s ‘The Harder They Come’, a version of ‘Pressure Drop’ featuring Toots & The Maytals, and a ‘Santa Keith’ holiday card featuring a greeting from Richards himself.
The Record Store Day exclusive follows BMG’s recent digital re-release of Richards’ solo albums Talk Is Cheap, Main Offender, and the compilation Vintage Vinos on all streaming platforms.
Vintage Vinos from 2010 featured recorded and live tracks from the solo albums as well as Live at the Hollywood Palladium, December 15, 1988, and the bonus song ‘Hurricane’ recorded during the Rolling Stones sessions for Forty Licks in 2002.
Upcoming physical reissues will include deluxe and expanded CDs and LPs, extensive boxsets, and additional special projects to be announced soon, including the first ever digital release of Live at the Hollywood Palladium, December 15, 1998.
Keith Richards said, “Looking forward to working with Hartwig Masuch and everyone at BMG.”
BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch, added, “It has been a pleasure to build a relationship with Keith and his exceptional team over the past five years. It is a real honor now to extend that relationship even further to work with his classic solo releases.”
BMG EVP global catalogue recordings Peter Stack noted “This agreement paves the way for a reappraisal and repositioning of the solo work of one of rock ‘n’ roll’s true originals and arguably its most pre-eminent guitarist.
“Fans can expect a programme of releases which truly does justice to these great recordings.”