In a major deal announced in late 2020, Fleetwood Mac legend Stevie Nicks sold a significant stake in her song catalog to Primary Wave Music Publishing. The financial details of the deal were reported to be around $100 million.
The deal includes Nicks' share of songs she wrote or co-wrote during her solo career and with Fleetwood Mac. This represents a substantial portion of her music catalog, which spans over four decades and includes hits like "Rhiannon," "Landslide," and "Edge of Seventeen."
Primary Wave, a leading independent music publishing and production company, now holds the rights to these songs. The company has a reputation for acquiring music catalogs from prominent artists, including Smokey Robinson, Quincy Jones, and Tina Turner.
Music rights can come in various forms, including performing rights, mechanical rights, and synchronization rights. These rights allow the holder to earn royalties from the use of a song in various contexts, such as live performances, recordings, and advertisements.
Music rights societies, like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, help administer and collect these royalties on behalf of the rights holders. In the case of the Nicks-Primary Wave deal, Primary Wave will now be able to collect and distribute these royalties.
The sale of music rights has become an increasingly popular trend in the music industry, with artists like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Katy Perry also making significant deals in recent years. For artists looking to secure their financial future, selling a portion of their music catalog can provide a substantial influx of cash.
For more information on music rights and the various types of music rights, please refer to the following resources:
Source: Variety - Stevie Nicks Sells Majority Stake in Song Catalog to Primary Wave for $100 Million