Great news everybody. Universal Music UK yesterday announced it had signed a deal with Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group which will see all of the music catalogue owned by the musical composer and theatre producer's company made available to download and mobile platforms. Much of that catalogue is made up of Lloyd Webber's musicals, and will mean music from the likes of 'Evita', 'Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat', 'Cats', 'Jesus Christ Superstar', 'Starlight Express' and 'The Phantom of the Opera' will now be available via digital music services.
Announcing the partnership, Universal UK boss Lucian Grainge told CMU: "This deal brings the biggest and best-loved musicals of all time into the digital age. I have also been reminded of Andrew's magic touch - his idea to bring The Sound of Music to the West End via a TV talent search is a masterstroke. We're very excited to be involved."
Andrew Lloyd Webber added: "I am delighted to be able to announce these significant deals between the Really Useful Group and Universal Music and thrilled that my entire catalogue can now be downloaded (I say this although the bulk of my own music collection is on vinyl!)"