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Primary Wave and Whitney Houston article on cover of Billboard Magazine

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CAN PRIMARY WAVE TRANSFORM WHITNEY HOUSTON’S LEGACY — AND HER ESTATE’S FORTUNES? A decade after the legend’s death, the marketing and publishing whiz treating catalogs as dynamic, lucrative brands is helping to refresh her legacy — and to turbo-charge her estate’s revenue.

 

For Primary Wave — whose executives often talk about being in the icons and legends business — it’s the company’s biggest project yet, one that should bolster its reputation for returning superstars like Whitney to the forefront of pop culture and turbo-charging revenue along the way. And for her estate, it’s akin to a rebirth for the legacy almost lost along the way.

“With everything that’s going on right now, she’s still touching lives, and that’s what I want to do in a very positive way,” Pat says. “She should be remembered by her music and the work that she’s done in the community, not by her relationships. And the fact that all these things are happening proves that. It’s a clear path without any distractions to make things continue to happen for her legacy.”

Read the full Billboard article all about Primary …

Just Announced: Strategic Partnerships with Brookfield Asset Management and CAA!

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We’re thrilled to announce our strategic partnerships with Brookfield Asset Management and CAA!

 

“It means there isn’t any good acquisition that we couldn’t do in the music business. We’re not limited by size or opportunity.” – Larry Mestel

Read the full Press Release below. 

 

Read more HERE on The Wall Street Journal.

BROOKFIELD AND PRIMARY WAVE MUSIC ENTER INTO $2 BILLION

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

 

Brookfield To Buy Minority Stake in Primary Wave Music

 

Commitment of $1.7 Billion From Brookfield

To Fund A Permanent Capital Vehicle Focused On Acquiring Music Rights From

The World’s Most Iconic Musicians

 

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) To Take A Minority Strategic Stake In Primary Wave Music

 

NEW YORK, NY (October 6, 2022) – Primary Wave Music and Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (“Brookfield”) today announced a strategic partnership whereby Brookfield will buy a significant minority interest in Primary Wave and provide an additional $1.7 billion capital funding commitment, in a deal valued in excess of $2 billion. An initial acquisition of over $700 million of iconic music rights from the company’s fund 1 and fund 2 will go into Primary Wave’s new permanent vehicle. With over $300 million worth of deals previously finalized year-to-date and another $600 million of pending transactions expected to be completed by …

Late Night Basie (Tribute Album) – “Didn’t You” by Lettuce (feat. Talib Kweli) out now!

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 A New Celebration of Count Basie

The spirit of Basie lives on in the swingin’-est, most surprising musical collaboration this side of late-night 

 

Featuring Terence Blanchard, Talib Kweli, Lettuce, Nicholas Payton, Cimafunk, Larkin Poe, The Count Basie Orchestra, and many more

 

 Late Night Basie Out April 7th via Primary Wave Music

Hear “Didn’t You” by Lettuce (feat. Talib Kweli) right now

 

 

February 1, 2023 – New York, NY – Count Basie’s name alone conjures images of late nights, swaying to sounds that are ever cool, hip, and fresh. The world-famous jazz pianist and band leader helped redefine music several times over and set the preconditions for jazz innovations, rock and roll, and popular American music. On April 7th, a whole new host of colorful talents will mix with Basie’s legendary sound and influence as part of a brand new album called Late Night Basie. Releasing on Primary Wave Music label and distributed by Green Hill Music, Late Night Basie captures the essence of the man and his music with each song a modern-day interpretation of a Count Basie classic. For both the longtime fan and the new listener, surprise and delights await in this timely, important recording. And for those who may have never heard …

STEVIE VAN ZANDT PARTNERS WITH PRIMARY WAVE MUSIC

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STEVIE VAN ZANDT PARTNERS WITH PRIMARY WAVE MUSIC

MAJOR DEAL SEES LEGENDARY ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMER

JOINING FORCES WITH PUBLISHING GIANT TO MANAGE

MUSIC PUBLISHING AND RECORDED MUSIC CATALOGS

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE SUCH CLASSIC SONGS AS “I DON’T WANT TO GO HOME,”

“THIS TIME IT’S FOR REAL,” “I AM A PATRIOT,” “LILYHAMMER,”

AND DARLENE LOVE’S HOLIDAY CLASSIC “ALL ALONE ON CHRISTMAS,”

ALONG WITH STAKE IN PRODUCER AND BAND MEMBER ROYALTIES FOR

HIS ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME WORK WITH BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

New York, NY (February 3, 2023) – Primary Wave Music, the world’s leading independent publisher of iconic and legendary music, announced today their partnership with legendary singer, songwriter, and producer Stevie Van Zandt. The multimillion-dollar deal will see Van Zandt and the publishing giant joining forces to manage the artist’s music publishing and recorded music catalogs, as well as a portion of his name and likeness rights. Term of the deal also include a stake in producer royalties from Van Zandt’sclassic work with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, along with band member and producer royalties from his long collaboration with Bruce Springsteen, which includes such landmark albums as The River …

Whitney Houston 60 – Day 2 Recap

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Nothin’ but LOVE for our #WhitneyHouston60 celebrations, artists, and sponsors! Friday’s festivities included artists showcases from Michelle Williams , Kiana Ledé , Coco Jones , Natalie Jane , Amber Riley , Mamii , and Georgia Ku , Whitney Houston Brunch and Panel Discussion presented by City National Bank , and ongoing activations presented by Sony Electronics , ProFlowers , and M·A·C Cosmetics .

Visit the W Hotel – Hollywood today for your last chance to catch Sony’s 360 Reality Audio Immersive Listening Lounge, the Whitney Houston Pop-Up Retail Shop with M·A·C COSMETICS Makeup Stations, the Whitney Houston Gallery, and gorgeous floral arrangements by Proflowers®!

 

Primary Wave’s Grammy Week Whitney Houston 60 Celebrations Presented By Sony

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Primary Wave’s Grammy Week Whitney Houston 60 Celebrations Presented By Sony

And when the night falls – Whitney Houston celebrations begin! Last night we kicked off our #WhitneyHouston60 celebrations with our artist showcase featuring Gary Houston, 8ae, Kareen Lomax, Tone Stith, Absolutely, Sevyn Streeter, Skylar Stecker, and Baby Tate – and a day full of activations presented by Sony Electronics, ProFlowers, M·A·C Cosmetics, and City National Bank.

The party continues tonight at 7pm

Whitney Houston 60 – Thursday Feb 2

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Join today’s events for our Whitney Houston 60 celebrations!

Presented by Sony Electronics, with additional sponsors M·A·C Cosmetics, ProFlowers®, and City National Bank.

 

Read all about it on CBS News: https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/the-w-hotel-in-hollywood-turns-into-the-whitney-houston-hotel/

 

Whitney Houston 60 Celebrations at W Hollywood

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Join Primary Wave Music and the Estate of Whitney E. Houston as we honor Whitney throughout Grammy-week with a residency celebrating her 60th birthday, career and life presented by Sony, with additional sponsors M·A·C Cosmetics, Proflowers®, and City National Bank.

Henry Mancini listed in Billboard’s “The 18 People With the Most Grammys of All Time”

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Henry Mancini was recently included in Billboard’s list of “The 18 People With the Most Grammys of All Time”, with 20 Grammy wins throughout his career. Read the full article here.

 

Henry Mancini, 20

First wins: The late composer and conductor won two awards – album of the year and best arrangement, both for The Music From Peter Gunn – at the inaugural Grammys in 1959.

Most recent wins: Mancini won his last two Grammys in 1971, the year of the first live Grammy telecast.

Most wins in one night: In 1962, Mancini became the first person to win five awards in one night. His haul included record and song of the year and best arrangement, all for the gorgeous “Moon River.”

Total nominations: 72

Notes: Mancini died at age 70 in June 1994. He received a posthumous lifetime achievement award in 1995.

PRIMARY WAVE MUSIC ACQUIRES RIGHTS OF ROBBY KRIEGER AND THE ESTATE OF RAY MANZAREK OF THE LEGENDARY BAND, THE DOORS

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PRIMARY WAVE MUSIC ACQUIRES RIGHTS OF ROBBY KRIEGER AND THE ESTATE OF

RAY MANZAREK OF THE LEGENDARY BAND, THE DOORS

 

THE DEAL INCLUDES ALL ASPECTS OF KRIEGER’S AND MANZAREK’S INTERESTS IN “THE DOORS” BUSINESS, INCLUDING MUSIC PUBLISHING, RECORDINGS, AND MERCHANDISE

 

“Within an electrifying few years during the 1960s, rock ‘n’ roll was transformed from a brash diversion of

antsy teenagers into a serious genre that threatened to rival the traditional fine arts. Instrumental in this

swift development was a Los Angeles band, The Doors.”

-New York Times

 

NEW YORK, N.Y. (January 23, 2023) – Primary Wave Music, the leading independent publisher of iconic and legendary music in the world, announces today they have finalized an agreement to acquire the rights of Robby Krieger and the late Ray Manzarek as they pertain to the critically acclaimed band, The Doors. The monumental acquisition includes their interests in The Doors’ music publishing catalog, recordings, trademarks, and merchandise rights and income, among other things. The Jim Morrison entities and the legendary band’s drummer John Densmore retain their interests separately from Primary Wave.

Formed in Los Angeles in 1965, The Doors were the first American band to have eight consecutive gold albums. The groundbreaking group …

‘Whitney Houston Hotel’ to Be Launched by Singer’s Estate, Primary Wave and Sony During Grammy Week

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‘Whitney Houston Hotel’ to Be Launched by Singer’s Estate, Primary Wave and Sony During Grammy Week

The estate of Whitney Houston and Primary Wave will continue to honor the singer with a Grammy-week-long event to celebrate Houston’s 60th birthday, career and life with the “Whitney Houston Hotel,” presented by Sony, with additional sponsors M·A·C Cosmetics, Proflowers, and City National Bank.

Taking place at the W Hotel in Hollywood, the week’s events will include Sony’s 360 Reality Audio Immersive Listening Lounge, a memorabilia exhibit featuring photos of Houston as well as several iconic gowns worn throughout her legendary career, a pop-up shop with exclusive merch, electronics and more.

Two days of live music will feature performances from a variety of artists that will include a medley of their hits as well as their favorite Whitney song. The lineup includes Grammy winner Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, actress and Grammy-nominated singer Amber Riley, Warner Records artists Baby Tate and Teddy Swims, Def Jam Recordings’ Coco Jones, artist-songwriter Georgia Ku, Republic Records artist Kiana Ledé, Capitol Records’ latest signing Natalie Jane, …