Primary Wave Music has acquired again

The acquisitive publishing company has acquired all rights of Regent Music Corporation and Jewel Music Publishing Co., Inc., the publishing catalogs founded by music publishing legends Gene Goodman and his late brother, Harry.

Described by Primary Wave as “multimillion-dollar acquisitions”, the deals bring to Primary Wave songs including instrumentals such as surf classic Pipeline, works of jazz giants Lionel Hampton, Thelonious Monk, and Django Reinhardt (including Minor Swing), and the iconic Apache, one of the most sampled songs in hip hop.

Perhaps best known through the Incredible Bongo Band’s 1973 cover and as the foundation for Sugarhill Gang’s hit Apache (Jump On It), Apache Primary Wave notes that the track has been covered across genres, sampled, and synced in every decade since its composition by Jerry Lordan in the 1950s.

Regent and Jewel hits include More Today Than Yesterday (written by Pat Upton and made famous by Spiral Starecase), songs performed by soul and R&B legend, Jackie Wilson (including his first hit, Lonely Teardrops), folk anthem Abraham, Martin and John, the pop hit Silhouettes, and juggernauts Do You Hear What I Hear and I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.

Primary Wave says that its marketing, branding, digital strategy, and licensing infrastructure will be used to “continue the legacies” of both companies, in particular with new sync opportunities to enhance revenues, streams, and more.

Today’s news follows Primary Wave Music ‘s acquisition last month of music rights from the estates of Layne Staley and Mike Starr of the legendary grunge band, Alice In Chains.

In January, Primary Wave acquired an “additional” stake in Def Leppard’s music publishing catalog, as well as the band’s master royalty income stream.

It was also reported in January that the company struck new catalog deals for a combined $60 million, including $20 million on a stake in Paul Rodgers’ music publishing catalog for Free and Bad Company, as well as his master recording income streams for both bands.

Primary Wave also acquired Gerry Beckley’s and Dewey Bunnell’s rights in the America music catalog, in a deal worth $40 million.

“I’m proud to see the catalogs moving to such creative and capable hands.”

Gene Goodman

Gene Goodman, said: “The music business has been great to me, and I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the most wonderful writers in the world.

“I’m proud to see the catalogs moving to such creative and capable hands.

“I wish Larry, Amy, Ramon, and the entire team at Primary Wave great success in the years ahead. I’m certain they’ll take Regent and Jewel to the moon.”

“We are truly honored to be entrusted with these great works and inspired to build on a remarkable 86 years of success.”

Amy Ortner, Primary Wave Music

Amy Ortner, General Counsel at Primary Wave Music, added: “With Tin Pan Alley roots, collections of jazz, soul, R&B, surf, and pop gems, and iconic holiday standards covered by artists crossing all genres, the Regent and Jewel catalogs are a living history of diversity in music.

“We are truly honored to be entrusted with these great works and inspired to build on a remarkable 86 years of success.”Music Business Worldwide