Business News Deals Labels & Publishers

Primary Wave buys into Bob Marley catalogue through Chris Blackwell deal

By Andy Malt | Published on Monday 15 January 2018

US music firm Primary Wave has acquired 80% of Island Records founder Chris Blackwell’s share in Bob Marley’s songs and the Blue Mountain Music publishing company. The deal is worth a reported $50 million.

Blue Mountain Music was founded by Blackwell in 1962, and has a roster of songs by artists including Toots & The Maytals, Free, Babba Mall, The B-52s, John Martyn, John Grant and Marianne Faithful, as well as Marley. The Bob Marley estate also retains a share in the late musician’s catalogue.

As part of the deal, Blue Mountain and Primary Wave will also jointly sign new acts, with the latter actively pushing those artists.

SIGN UP GO PREMIUM CMU NEWS CMU DAILY CMU DIGEST CMU TRENDS SETLIST