Legendary rocker Rod Stewart has sold his song catalog to Irving Azoff’s Iconic Artists for nearly $100 million. According to the Wall Street Journal, the deal includes Stewart’s publishing catalog and recorded music, as well as some name and likeness rights. Stewart’s deal with Iconic follows the company’s acquisitions of the catalogs of the Beach Boys, Cher, Dean Martin, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Nat King Cole, Linda Ronstadt, and Joe Cocker.
Stewart, 79, said in a statement: “This year marks my 60th year in the music industry. The time is right, and I feel fortunate to have found partners in Irving and his team at Iconic that I can entrust with my life’s work and future musical legacy.”
Irving Azoff, Chairman and CEO of Iconic, said: “We are thrilled to welcome one of the most celebrated singer-songwriters of our time, Rod Stewart, to the Iconic family. Our new partnership with HPS provides us with the resources and flexibility to make blockbuster signings like this one and to continue the success of our legendary artists and their legacies.”
Scot French, Governing Partner at HPS, added: “Iconic has built an impressive platform and artist portfolio, and we are pleased to provide financing that will enable the company to further scale its business and advance its mission of championing the rights of musical talent.”
Stewart’s six-decade catalog includes 10 No. 1 albums and and his work with the Jeff Beck Group and the Faces — and his songwriting catalog includes such hits and classics as “Maggie May,” “Stay With Me,” “You Wear It Well,” “You’re in My Heart,” “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” and more. Later this month he will release his 32nd studio album and big-band salute, “Swing Fever.”
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