BMG has acquired the remaining interests in the publishing catalogs of lyricist Hal David, blues legend John Lee Hooker, and ARC Music, consolidating its ownership of a trove of influential American songs.
The deal completes a transaction first announced in 2016, when BMG purchased a majority stake in the ARC Music catalog from Fuji Music Group. The newly acquired rights give BMG full control of the works.
The Hal David catalog, created by the GRAMMY and Academy Award-winning lyricist, includes enduring hits such as “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again,” and “What’s New Pussycat?”.
BMG also now fully owns the publishing rights to the catalog of John Lee Hooker, the blues pioneer behind “Boom Boom” and “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer.” The company had previously co-acquired the Hooker catalog with Fuji Music Group from the artist’s estate in 2022.
ARC Music, the publishing counterpart to the iconic Chess Records, includes songs made famous by Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Etta James.
“The musical catalogs of Hal David, John Lee Hooker, and ARC Music are cornerstones of modern music,” said Monti Olson, BMG EVP, Head of Publishing, North America. “Their timeless melodies and lyrics continue to resonate across generations and in pop culture around the world. Completing our ownership of these catalogs further strengthens BMG’s position as a home for some of the most significant works in American music history, ensuring these songs continue to be protected and introduced to new audiences for generations to come.”
