SONY BUYS DYLAN CATALOG

Sony Music has announced its acquisition of Bob Dylan’s entire recorded catalog and the rights to future new releases. The pact expands the company’s six-decade relationship with the iconic troubadour, who is also celebrating the 60th anniversary of his recording career.

The deal, which was actually done in July, embraces all of Dylan’s work since 1962, beginning with his self-titled debut set and stretching through 2020’s Rough and Rowdy Ways, 39 studio albums in all.

SME will also continue to work with the legendary artist on future catalog releases. His Bootleg Series is up to 16 volumes.

“Columbia Records and Rob Stringer have been nothing but good to me for many, many years and a whole lot of records," said Dylan, who rarely supplies a quote. "I’m glad that all my recordings can stay where they belong.”

“Columbia Records has had a special relationship with Bob Dylan from the beginning of his career and we are tremendously proud and excited to be continuing to grow our 60-year partnership,” reads a quote from Sony Music boss Stringer. “Bob is one of music’s greatest icons and an artist of unrivaled genius. The essential impact he and his recordings continue to have on popular culture is second to none, and we’re thrilled he will now be a permanent member of the Sony Music family. We are excited to work with Bob and his team to find new ways to make his music available to his many fans today and to future generations.”