Quantcast

PRIMARY WAVE PICKS UP STAKE IN CRUDUP CLASSICS

Primary Wave has acquired an interest in the music catalog of Delta blues legend Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup. Included in the deal with Crudup’s heirs are some of the writer/singer/guitarist’s biggest hits, including “That’s All Right,” “My Baby Left Me” and “So Glad You’re Mine.”

After all three songs were recorded by Elvis Presley, Crudup—whose most productive period was the 1940s—came to be known as one of the forefathers of rock ‘n’ roll, along with a handful of his contemporaries, as we recount in our special issue on black-music history, which is being posted serially on the site.

“We’re excited to add Arthur Crudup’s songs and have him as part of our growing roster of artists and catalogs,” says Primary Wave prexy Justin Shukat. “He was an innovator and a classic blues artist. We look forward to carrying on the legacy of this legendary musician and working with his estate to create new opportunities that will introduce his music to a new generation of music fans.”

Although Crudup didn’t start playing guitar until he was in his 30s, he became one of America’s top-selling blues artists. In 1941, while playing on the streets of Chicago, he was offered a chance to record for RCA Victor’s Bluebird label, recording with them until 1954. Rarely performing live, Crudup preferred juke joints to theaters, playing alongside contemporaries like Elmore James and Sonny Boy Williamson. In 1961, after a long layoff, Crudup resurfaced with an album for Bobby Robinson’s Harlem-based Fire label featuring remakes of his Bluebird hits. He disappeared from view again, putting down his guitar and drifting into contract farm labor, until Big Joe Williams tipped off Delmark boss Bob Koester as to the elusive legend’s whereabouts. Crudup resumed playing and continued through his late 60s, making decent money and playing various blues and folk festivals until his death in 1974.

UMG BROADENS SPOTIFY OFFERINGS
Sir Lucian and Daniel are in harmony. (3/28a)
THE COUNT: COLDPLAY IS HOT, COUNTRY'S COOKIN' IN THE U.K.
The latest tidbits from the bustling live sector (3/28a)
YTD MARKET SHARE
Zeroing in on the elite teams (3/28a)
TRUST IN THE TOP 20
Hip-hop is no longer hibernating. (3/28a)
SONG REVENUE:
A STYLISTIC STEW
MC, divas and singer-songwriters rub elbows. (3/28a)
THE NEW UMG
Gosh, we hope there are more press releases.
TIKTOK BANNED!
Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
 Email

 First Name

 Last Name

 Company

 Country
CAPTCHA code
Captcha: (type the characters above)