Universal Music Publishing Group has acquired
Neil Diamond's
publishing and recordings.
The deal covers everything the celebrated singer/songwriter has ever released, plus 110 unreleased tracks, an unreleased album and archival long-form video. UMG will also record and release Diamond’s music in the future.
The company has served as Diamond's publishing administrator since 2014.
“Neil Diamond is a truly universal songwriter,” said UMG ruler
Sir Lucian Grainge. “His immense songbook and recordings encompass some of the most cherished and enduring songs in music history. Through our existing partnership, we are honored to have earned his trust to become the permanent custodians of his monumental musical legacy.”
“With this acquisition, in which UMPG COO
Marc Cimino played an invaluable part, our global teams will work together to ensure that all of Neil's timeless hits, including ‘Sweet Caroline,’ ‘Red Red Wine' and ‘Cracklin’ Rosie,’ will continue to impact generations of fans,” said UMPG Chairman and CEO
Jody Gerson.
UMG’s agreement with Diamond reunites his early
Bang and post-1972 recordings with those he delivered to UMG’s
MCA Records between 1968 and 1972, a period that saw the advent of “Sweet Caroline,” “Holly Holy,” “Cracklin’ Rosie” and “Song Sung Blue.” Since 2013, UMG and Diamond have had a recording agreement/licensing deal for non-MCA records through
Capitol Music Group and
Universal Music Enterprises.
Said UMe President/CEO
Bruce Resnikoff and CMG Chair/CEO
Michelle Jubelirer in a joint statement, “To be able to represent Neil's work in its entirety is both an honor and a thrill, and the entire Universal Music team looks forward to upholding his iconic legacy.”
The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise, a new musical production from
Ken Davenport and
Bob Gaudio based on Diamond’s life, will receive its world premiere in Boston beginning 6/21.
A member of the
Songwriters Hall of Fame and
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame whose songwriting career began 60 years ago, Diamond said:
“After nearly a decade in business with UMG, I am thankful for the trust and respect that we have built together and I feel confident in the knowledge that Lucian, Jody, Bruce, Michelle and the global team at UMG will continue to represent my catalog and future releases with the same passion and integrity that have always fueled my career.”
