BMG has acquired the music interests of iconic American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist John Lee Hooker from his estate. The agreement includes his entire publishing catalog (“Boom Boom,” “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer,” “Boogie Chillen,” among others), co-acquired with BMG’s longstanding partner Fujipacific Music, his entire recorded and performance royalty income, as well as a selection of Hooker’s recorded catalog spanning Alone, Vol. 1 (1980) through Black Night Is Falling (2020), acquired solely by BMG.
In what is a complex musical legacy some rights will still remain with third parties, but BMG will now take a lead role in promoting Hooker’s outstanding catalog.
BMG currently represents or owns rights in many of blues music’s most influential artists including Son House, Willie Dixon, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Mississippi Fred McDowell, alongside many other luminaries.
The acquisition is the latest in a string of recent deals completed by BMG to acquire rights from musicians including Mick Fleetwood, Tina Turner, Mötley Crüe, and ZZ Top.
Jeff Jampol, CEO, JAM, Inc., said, “As the longtime managers of the John Lee Hooker estate, JAM, Inc. was happy to help the estate and BMG conclude this transaction. We are very pleased that an artist-first company like BMG will be the stewards of this great legacy moving forward, and we are grateful to remain in a consulting and management role of the John Lee Hooker legacy, in partnership with BMG, moving forward.”
One of the most recognizable and memorable blues standards, “Boom Boom” was initially a chart success in both the U.S. and U.K., and over the years has been extensively featured in both films and commercials, while also being covered by numerous artists.
The song has been included in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s list of “The Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll,” was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame’s “Classics of Blues Recording, and in 2016, his iconic recording of the 1962 Vee-Jay Records single was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Angelina Jolie To Receive Gothams Performer Tribute For “Marie”
The Gotham Film & Media Institute has announced that Academy Award®-winner Angelina Jolie will receive the Performer Tribute for her performance as Maria Callas in Pablo Larrain’s upcoming film Maria, at the 34th edition of The Gothams, taking place on Monday, December 2, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The tribute will honor Jolie’s rendition of legendary opera singer Callas.
“Like the legendary figure she portrays, Angelina Jolie transcends mere performance to craft something extraordinary. Her interpretation captures both Maria Callas’ complexity as an artist and the cultural resonance that defines an icon,” said Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of The Gotham. “We are thrilled to celebrate what is truly one of Ms. Jolie’s career-defining performances in the final installment of Pablo Larrain’s magnificent trilogy.”
Maria follows Callas, one of the most iconic performers of the 20th century, as she retreats to Paris after a glamorous and tumultuous life in the public eye. The film reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days as the diva reckons with her identity and life. Written by Steven Knight, with cinematography by Ed Lachman and costumes by Massimo Cantini Parrini, Maria has Jolie joined by a star-studded cast including Alba Rohrwacher (Hungry Hearts, Happy As Lazzaro), Pierfrancesco Favino (Padrenostro, Adagio), Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog, Dolemite Is My Name), and Valeria Golino (For Your Love, The Beautiful Game). Marie premiered to critical acclaim at the Venice Film Festival and Jolie’s performance continues to stun audiences at the New York Film Festival, London Film Festival and the AFI Fest. Maria will be in... Read More