Primary Wave acquires publishing catalogue of Australian-bred hitmaker Steve Kipner

International music publishing company Private Wave has confirmed the acquisition of Steve Kipner’s vast catalogue as a songwriter and producer.

Kipner, who was raised in Brisbane, broke into the music industry in 1965 when his band Steve & The Board signed with Festival subsidiary Spin Records, joining fellow Brisbane act The Bee Gees on the label.

After relocating to London in 1969, Kipner formed a new group named Tin Tin, with Maurice Gibb producing the group’s debut record and partnering them with legendary music entrepreneur and film producer Robert Stigwood.

Kipner later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a songwriter and producer, with his breakthrough moment arriving via a songwriting credit on Olivia Newton-John’s ’80s smash hit ‘Physical’.

Other prominent tracks written and produced by Kipner include Christina Aguilera’s Billboard #1 single ‘Genie In A Bottle’, The Script’s ‘Breakeven’, Natasha Bedingfield’s ‘These Words’ and ‘The Hardest Thing’ by 98 Degrees.

The songwriting veteran is also credited as a songwriter on Doja Cat and SZA’s recent single ‘Kiss Me More’ due to its interpolation of ‘Physical’, making him one of the only songwriters to have co-written a Top 20 single in each of the last seven decades.

Kipner noted his admiration for Primary Wave’s Larry Mestel and Justin Shukat as he announced the acquisition of his hefty publishing catalogue.

“I am delighted to be making this deal with Primary Wave,” Kipner said.

“I have always had the utmost respect for what Larry and Justin have been building there. Their catalogue of writers and songs speaks for itself.”

Shukat, meanwhile, touted Kipner’s talent as a songwriter and highlighted the longevity of his work.

“Steve’s great catalogue has proven that hit songs will continue to be heard for generations to come,” Shukat remarked.

“‘Physical’ by Olivia-Newton John was the biggest song of the ’80s, and the evergreen copyright is a hit again this year, using that infectious melody in the worldwide smash ‘Kiss Me More’ by Doja Cat featuring SZA.”

Newton-John’s own publishing assets were acquired by Primary Wave in a blockbuster deal from November last year, with the deal also allowing her access to marketing, licensing and sync services to expand her brand among new audiences.