David Coverdale 'thrilled' to sell his Whitesnake, Deep Purple and solo song catalogue
The latest rock icon to sell their music rights
Last updated 14th Jan 2022
David Coverdale is the latest big name rock star to sell the royalty rights to his musical back catalogue, including his output with Whitesnake and Deep Purple.
Round Hill Music, who recently purchased Heart guitarist Nancy Wilson’s song rights, has acquired the music publishing, master rights and master rights royalties to Coverdale’s distinguished recording career.
The deal for an unspecified amount encompasses recordings from 70-year-old Coverdale’s career as a solo artist and as the frontman of Whitesnake, plus the master royalty participation from recordings during his tenure as Deep Purple singer from 1973 to 1976.
The catalogue includes Coverdale’s music publishing assets and long-term administration rights for his neighbouring rights income.
Whitesnake songs featuring in the deal include ‘Here I Go Again’, ‘Is This Love’, ‘Crying in the Rain’, ‘Still of the Night’ and ‘Fool for Your Loving.’ Deep Purple master royalty tracks in the catalogue include 'Burn' and ' Stormbringer.'
Also included is ‘The Last Note of Freedom’ from the Days of Thunder movie soundtrack, which was co-written with Hans Zimmer and Billy Idol.
Trevor Bowen, Chair of Round Hill Music Royalty Fund, commented: “The Board is pleased to provide RHM shareholders with access to David Coverdale’s own legendary catalogue of hits as the frontman from one of best-known rock bands of all time, who helped to define an era of music.
“We are delighted to be deploying capital into such high-quality acquisitions while continuing to evaluate further attractive opportunities."
Josh Gruss, Chairman and CEO of Round Hill, the Company’s investment manager, says: "David Coverdale is a true rock icon. As the frontman for two of the world' s greatest bands, Whitesnake and Deep Purple, he has blazed a trail since the early 70s, and his legacy and influence on the generations of artists that followed him cannot be understated. To have been entrusted with David’s work is a proud day for Round Hill."
David Coverdale enthuses: "I am thrilled beyond words to joyfully announce that my existing catalog of works, both songs and master recordings, which I have been involved in creating for over 50 years, is now in exceptionally safe hands with the fine people at Round Hill.
“I look forward immensely to working together with Josh Gruss and all at Round Hill to ensure the legacy of my existing works for future generations to enjoy."
Over the past 18 months, an array of rock stars have sold their song rights including Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham, Mötley Crüe, Metallica producer Bob Rock and the estate of David Bowie.
Whitesnake's farewell UK tour takes place in May 2022 and tickets are on sale from Planet Rock Tickets now. Whitesnake co-headline with Foreigner and special guests Europe also appear on the bill.
The tour will feature new Whitesnake bassist Tanya O'Callaghan, who replaced the departing Michael Devin, plus the band’s new backing vocalist Dino Jelusick.
Whitesnake’s farewell UK tour dates:
MAY 2022
Glasgow SEC- Thu 12th
Newcastle Utilita Arena - Sat 14th
London The O2 Arena - Mon 16th
Manchester AO Arena - Wed 18th
Nottingham Motorpoint Arena - Fri 20th
Birmingham Utilita Arena - Sun 22nd
Cardiff Motorpoint Arena - Wed 25th
Buy Whitesnake tickets
17 bands named after songs by other bands:
Judas Priest
British heavy metal legends Judas Priest took inspiration for their brilliant name from the Bob Dylan song 'The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest' from his 1967 album 'John Wesley Harding.' The moniker was the idea of early Judas Priest bassist Brian 'Bruno' Stapenhill who exited the band in 1970 before they had laid down any recordings.
Deep Purple
Initially called Roundabout, the rock legends initially toyed with band names including Orpheus, Concrete God and Sugarlump but eventually settled on Deep Purple; taken from the 1933 Peter DeRose piano composition. The song was a huge favourite of Ritchie Blackmore's grandmother and she would often perform it on piano throughout Ritchie's childhood.
Mr Big
In 1988, Eric Martin, Billy Sheehan, Paul Gilbert and the late-great Pat Torpey named their new band after the Free song 'Mr. Big', which appeared on their breakthrough 1970 album 'Fire and Water'. Mr. Big later covered 'Mr. Big' on their third studio album 'Bump Ahead' in 1993.
Motörhead
After being dismissed from Hawkwind in 1975 following an arrest for drug possession in Canada, Lemmy started his own self-professed "fast and vicious" band and took the name Motörhead from the final song he had penned for Hawkwind just a few months earlier, 'Motorhead'. Two years later, Motörhead re-recorded 'Motorhead' as the opening track on their eponymous debut album.
Poison
Originally called Paris upon their formation in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania in 1983, singer Bret Michaels, guitarist Matt Smith, bassist Bobby Dall and drummer Rikki Rockett wisely ditched their tame sounding band name in favour of 'Poison'; a nod to the 1981 track 'Poison' by glam metallers 'Sinner'.
Nazareth
The Scottish hard rock veterans were called the Shadettes upon their formation in the late 1960s but were unhappy with what they perceived to be a 'lightweight' name. They decided to hit a boozer to discuss a new name when 'The Weight' by The Band started playing through the bar's soundsystem. Upon hearing the opening line "I pulled into Nazareth, was feelin' about half past dead", bassist Pete Agnew suggested 'Nazareth' and the band agreed. The rest, they say, is history.
Volbeat
Danish rockers Volbeat took their name from the 1997 studio album 'Vol.Beat' by singer Michael Poulsen's previous band, the death metal act Dominus.
The Rolling Stones
Founder and original band leader Brian Jones gave The Rolling Stones their moniker after the 1950 Muddy Waters track 'Rollin' Stone'. The fledgling group played their first show as The Rolling Stones on 12th July 1962, at the famous Marquee Club in London.
Sepultura
The idea of former guitarist, singer and co-founding band member Max Cavalera, the Brazilian metallers called themselves Sepultura, which is the Portuguese word for "grave". Max took inspiration from one of his favourite songs, Motörhead's 'Dancing On Your Grave.'
Radiohead
Founded in Oxford in mid-1980s, Radiohead were originally called On A Friday in reference to their music rehearsal day at Abingdon School. When they signed a six-album deal with EMI in 1991, the imprint implored them to change their name and they ultimately took their band name from the song 'Radio Head' from Talking Heads' 1986 album 'True Stories'.
Bad Brains
Washington DC punks Bad Brains named themselves after the Ramones track 'Bad Brain', which appears on their 1978 album 'Road To Ruin'.
Lady Gaga
Stefani Germanotta's stage name is derived from the Queen classic 'Radio Ga Ga'. Producer Rob Fusari claims to have been the person who coined 'Lady Gaga' in the mid-noughties when they worked together.
At The Drive-In
Influential post-hardcore noisemakers At The Drive-In got their moniker from a line in Poison's 1987 single 'Talk Dirty To Me' – "Cause baby we'll be / At the drive-in / In the old man's ford / Behind the bushes / Till I'm screamin' for more." The name was guitartist Jim Ward's suggestion shortly after the band former in 1993.
Seether
Formed in South Africa in 1999 as Saron Gas, the band ditched the name as their US label Wind-up Records noted its similarity to the toxic synthetic organophosphorus compound, sarin gas. Ultimately they settled on Seether after the 1994 Veruca Salt single 'Seether'.
The Sisters of Mercy
When they formed 40 years ago in Leeds, the gothic rockers took their name from the Leonard Cohen track 'Sisters of Mercy' from his seminal 1967 album 'Songs of Leonard Cohen.' The Sisters of Mercy took inspiration from Robert Altman's 1971 movie McCabe & Mrs Miller thats' soundtracked by three Leonard Cohen songs.
Stiff Little Fingers
Previously called Highway Star and The Fast, the Belfast punks eventually decided to call themselves Stiff Little Fingers after the 1977 Vibrators song of the same name.
Overkill
Wisely abandoning the prospective band name Virgin Killer (a nod to the Scorpions), New Jersey thrash metallers Overkill ultimately honoured their other musical heroes Motörhead by naming themselves after the trio's 1979 album 'Overkill' and the single of the same name.
Panic! at the Disco
Although many people erroneously think that Panic! at the Disco are named after The Smiths' song 'Panic' and its chorus of "burn down the disco", former band leader Brendon Urie has said in multiple interviews that they take their name from a track also called 'Panic' by Californian emo band Name Taken. The song's lyrics read: "Panic at the disco/Sat back and took it so slow/Are you nervous?/Are you shaking?".