Warner Chappell Music and the estate of David Bowie have confirmed that WCM has acquired the global music publishing rights to the late star’s revolutionary song catalogue.
The landmark deal includes Bowie’s entire body of work, encompassing hundreds of songs spanning his six-decade career.
The agreement comprises songs from the 26 David Bowie studio albums released during his lifetime, as well as the posthumous studio album release, Toy. It also includes the two studio albums from Tin Machine, along with tracks released as singles from soundtracks and other projects.
The agreement with WCM follows the announcement last year of a global, career-spanning agreement between Warner Music Group and the Bowie estate through which Warner Music has licensed worldwide rights to Bowie’s recorded music catalogue from 1968.
With this new deal with Warner Chappell, WMG is now home to Bowie’s body of work as both a songwriter and recording artist.
“These are not only extraordinary songs, but milestones that have changed the course of modern music forever,” commented Guy Moot, co-chair and ceo of WCM. “Bowie’s vision and creative genius drove him to push the envelope, lyrically and musically – writing songs that challenged convention, changed the conversation, and have become part of the canon of global culture.
“His work spanned massive pop hits and experimental adventures that have inspired millions of fans and countless innovators, not only in music, but across all the arts, fashion and media.”
2022 is also marking Bowie75, which is celebrating 75 years of David Bowie. A ‘discover Bowie’ retail experience is currently running in New York and on London’s Heddon Street including exclusive retail drops and Bowie-centric programming.
The initiative also set up ‘Ground Control’ stations in NY and London for fans to send messages to the late star.
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