It’s been quite the few months for legendary singer/songwriters selling their publishing rights. Today, one of the biggest of all time announced he too has sold up: Paul Simon’s song catalog has been acquired by Sony Music Publishing.
Sony said that the deal includes the “complete collection” of Simon’s classic songs spanning more than six decades, from his time as a member of Simon & Garfunkel, through his career as a solo artist.
The acquired songs include evergreen hits such as The Sound of Silence, Bridge Over Troubled Water, The Boxer, Mrs. Robinson, Homeward Bound, I Am A Rock, Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard, 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover, Still Crazy After All These Years, Graceland, and many others.
Sony didn’t disclose the price of this deal, but it seems inevitable than it ran into a nine-figure sum.
Its announcement comes nearly four months after Bob Dylan sold his song catalog to Sony rival Universal Music Publishing in a deal worth somewhere between $300m and $400m, and three months after Neil Young sold half of his song catalog to Hipgnosis Songs Fund for around $150m.
Paul Simon said, “I’m pleased to have Sony Music Publishing be the custodian of my songs for the coming decades. I began my career at Columbia/Sony Records and it feels like a natural extension to be working with the Publishing side as well.”
“Paul Simon is a masterful, once-in-a-lifetime songwriter whose remarkable body of work has generated an enduring influence on our culture and consciousness.”
Jon Platt, Sony Music Publishing
Jon Platt, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Publishing said, “Paul Simon is a masterful, once-in-a-lifetime songwriter whose remarkable body of work has generated an enduring influence on our culture and consciousness.
“From Simon and Garfunkel standards like Bridge Over Troubled Water to solo classics such as Graceland, Paul Simon’s music resonates deeply as a cultural touchstone for people all over the world.
“To represent his indelible songs is an incredible honor for Sony Music Publishing, so with tremendous pride, I welcome Paul to our family!”
Rob Stringer, Chairman, Sony Music Group said, “We are truly honored to now represent the music publishing catalogue of Paul Simon. To be entrusted with his songs and recorded music is a privilege of the highest artistic order for the Sony Music Group worldwide.”
Paul Simon was represented in the transaction by Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks, P.C. and Sony Music Publishing was assisted by Davis Shapiro Lewit & Grabel, LLP.Music Business Worldwide
