The Rolling Stones expand their deal with Universal Music Group: it’s a gas, gas, gas
The Rolling Stones have expanded and extended their worldwide deal with Universal Music Group (UMG).
The veteran band first came into the UMG orbit ten years ago when it bought out the label they were signed to, Virgin/EMI, in 2012 for $1.9 billion.
The UMG association covers Sticky Fingers (1971) right through to their last studio album, the Grammy winning Blue & Lonesome (2016),
These tracks are owned by the band’s own company Promotone BV and licensed to Universal.
All material before then – including Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed, Aftermath, Between The Buttons and Their Satanic Majesties Request – are owned by their late manager Allen Klein’s ABCKO.
In making the announcement, Sir Lucian Grainge, chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group, said: “After a decade of working in partnership together, we are thrilled to expand and extend our relationship with The Rolling Stones.
“We look forward to bringing our expertise and passion to bear as we put our global organization work on behalf of this iconic band who continue to create music and influence culture around the world.”
The new agreement covers recorded music and audio-visual catalogues, archival support, global merchandising and brand management through Universal’s various divisions.
UMG will handle all recordings plus future projects and reissues.
Its brand-management and merchandise company Bravado will handle their merchandising (including the iconic tongue logo) and work with the Stones and their management to identify new opportunities for “creative collaboration within the worlds of art, fashion, retail, sport, lifestyle and touring merchandise.”
The new deal covers Eagle Rock, UMG’s producer and distributor of music programming for broadcast, DVD, Blu-Ray, TV and digital media.
Eagle Rock will also re-issue several classic concert films from their archives including: Atlanta (1989); Steel Wheels (1989-90); Voodoo Lounge (1994); Bridges to Babylon (1997-1998); Four Flicks (2002) and Bigger Bang (2005-2006).
On the weekend, the Stones completed a European tour.
Their 2005-07 Bigger Bang world tour is the second highest grossing tour of all time, generating $558 million.
Mick Jagger turns 75 on July 26. July 3 marked the 49th anniversary of the death of the band’s original leader Brian Jones.