Mötley Crüe sells entire music catalogue to BMG

Mötley Crüe have sold their entire music catalogue to BMG in a deal believed to be valued at approximately $150 million, bringing months of negotiations to a close. 

As reported by Variety, the deal contains the heavy metal legend’s full recorded output, including their nine studio albums and several live albums and compilation records.

There’s been varied estimations of exactly how much the agreement cost – it’s thought that a portion of the money was paid upfront, with the rest to be delivered once the band finish their long-delayed North American tour (scheduled to take place in June 2022).

Mötley Crüe are one of the most popular heavy metal outfits of all time, selling over 100 million albums worldwide and earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Interest in the band was revitalised recently after the debut of the 2019 Netflix biopic The Dirt.

“It feels amazing to be collaborating with our new partners at BMG. Their extensive track record of success in rock made them the perfect home to continue preserving and growing our musical legacy, ensuring we always stay at the top,” the band said in a statement.

“This is more than just a significant transaction. It’s a new chapter for an extraordinary catalog. Few bands understand the myth and the magic of rock like Mötley Crüe do. In an increasingly competitive rights acquisition market, artists need to be convinced that a buyer will do the right thing with their work. I am delighted that Mötley Crüe have decided BMG will be the best custodians of their musical career,” BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch added.

Mötley Crüe will be added to BMG’s extensive roster of hard rock and heavy metal talent – they currently represent or own the rights to the catalogues of Black Sabbath, Motörhead, and Uriah Heep.

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This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.