WARNER CHAPPELL
SEALS BOWIE DEAL

The ch-ch-ch-change we’ve been waiting for is official: David Bowie’s full catalog has a new home at Warner Chappell Music.

WCM has acquired the global music-publishing rights to Bowie’s song catalog, which includes the songs on his 26 studio albums, the posthumous release Toy and the two studio albums by Tin Machine, along with tracks issued as singles from soundtracks and other projects.

Warner Music Group licensed worldwide rights to Bowie’s recorded-music catalog, beginning with his 1968 debut, last year.

“All of us at Warner Chappell are immensely proud that the David Bowie estate has chosen us to be the caretakers of one of the most groundbreaking, influential and enduring catalogs in music history,” said WCM Co-Chair and CEO Guy Moot. “These are not only extraordinary songs but milestones that have changed the course of modern music forever. We are looking forward to tending Bowie's unparalleled body of songs with passion and care as we strive to build on the legacy of this most extraordinary human being.”

Noted WCM Co-Chair and COO Carianne Marshall, “This fantastic pact with the David Bowie estate opens up a universe of opportunities to take his extraordinary music into dynamic new places. This isn’t merely a catalog but a living, breathing collection of timeless songs that are as powerful and resonant today as they were when they were first written. With both sides of WMG now representing Bowie’s career, we couldn’t be better set up to represent this illustrious body of work.”

Allen Grubman handled the dealmaking for Bowie’s team at RZO, led by Bill Zysblat and Tom Cyrana. Warner Chappell’s Team Bowie included Alice Aleksandrovich, Steve Butler, Michael LoBiondo and David Woirhaye.

“We are truly gratified that David Bowie’s body of music will now be in the capable hands of Warner Chappell Music Publishing,” Grubman said. “We are sure they will cherish it and take care of it with the greatest level of dignity.”