Neil Young sells share of 1,180-song catalogue for £110 million
Hipgnosis acquires 50% of the rights
Last updated 6th Jan 2021
Neil Young is the latest rock legend to sell a share of his music publishing catalogue to intellectual property rights investor Hipgnosis Songs Fund.
In a deal worth an estimated £110 million, UK listed company Hipgnosis have acquired 50% of the rights to 1,180 songs penned by Neil Young.
The lucrative deal comes a day after former Fleetwood Mac guitarist, singer and songwriter Lindsey Buckingham sold 100% rights to his 161-song music publishing catalogue to Hipgnosis for an undisclosed amount.
Enthusing about the Neil Young acquisition, Hipgnosis founder Merck Mercuriadis says: "This is a deal that changes Hipgnosis forever. I bought my first Neil Young album aged seven. ‘Harvest’ was my companion and I know every note, every word, every pause and silence intimately. Neil Young, or at least his music, has been my friend and constant ever since."
He continued: “I built Hipgnosis to be a company Neil would want to be a part of. We have a common integrity, ethos and passion born out of a belief in music and these important songs.
"There will never be a 'Burger of Gold' (a reference to Young snubbing an offer in the 1970s to use Heart of Gold in a radio advertising campaign), but we will work together to make sure everyone gets to hear them on Neil's terms."
Hipgnosis’ Neil Young acquisition includes his entire 52-year solo career together with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young material.
Amongst the 1,180-track catalogue are Young’s seminal songs ‘Heart of Gold’, ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’, ‘Only Love Can Break Your Heart’, ‘Cinnamon Girl’ and ‘Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black).’
Neil Young released his 40th solo album ‘Homegrown’ in June 2020, which consists of songs recorded between June 1974 and January 1975.
In December 2020, Universal Music Group bought 100% of Bob Dylan's 600-song catalogue in a deal estimated to be worth up to £340 million.
Also last month, Lindsey Buckingham’s former Fleetwood Mac band mate Stevie Nicks sold 80% of her publishing rights to Hipgnosis’ rival Primary Wave.