Primary Wave and the estate of Robert Palmer have entered a catalog and name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreement, the parties announced today. Financial terms and the exact ownership split were not disclosed.
The New York City-headquartered company has acquired a stake in the late singer-songwriter’s compositional and recorded intellectual property (IP). Palmer, the former Vinegar Joe member known for “Addicted to Love,” released 14 solo studio albums from Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley (1974) through Drive (2003) before his death in 2003.
What the Agreement Covers
The deal spans Palmer’s full solo album catalog and additional recordings. Included works and rights are:
- “Johnny and Mary” from the 1980 album Clues
- “Every Kinda People,” written by Andy Fraser
- “Simply Irresistible,” written and produced by Palmer
- Multiple live renditions and remixes
- A piece of “Weird Al” Yankovic‘s parody “Addicted to Spuds”
- Talking Heads’ Remain in Light (1980), where Palmer contributed additional percussion
Estate and Company Statements
The Palmer estate said: “We are very excited to partner with Primary Wave. As we continue to honor Robert’s incredible legacy, we also look forward to working with the team on exploring ways to bring his music to both new and existing audiences, preserving his lasting impact for years to come.”
Samantha Rhulen, Primary Wave’s senior vice president of business and legal affairs, said: “Robert Palmer was a truly unique artist whose distinctive voice, songwriting, and style left an indelible mark on popular music. His catalog continues to resonate with audiences, and we are honored to welcome his incredible body of work to the Primary Wave family. We look forward to working alongside the Estate not only to preserve but also grow his legacy through innovative partnerships, new opportunities, and meaningful ways to introduce his music to fans around the world.”
Recent Catalog Moves
Earlier in September, after closing its $2.2 billion fourth fund in late April, Primary Wave announced separate partnership agreements with the estate of Wilson Pickett and Savage Garden‘s Daniel Jones.
Additionally, HarbourView recently invested in producer David Kershenbaum‘s IP, and MNRK last week purchased the “complete” recorded catalog of Black Label Society, the band founded by Zakk Wylde.
