THE ACQUISITION INCLUDES INCOME STREAMS IN SOME OF THE
BLUES SINGER’S GREATEST HITS INCLUDING “THAT’S ALL RIGHT,” “MY BABY LEFT ME,” AND “SO GLAD YOU’RE MINE” WHICH WERE ALL RECORDED BY ELVIS PRESLEY
NEW YORK, N.Y. (March 29, 2019) – Primary Wave Music Publishing announced today it has acquired a stake in the music catalog of the legendary American Delta Blues singer, songwriter and guitarist, Arthur Crudup. As part of this deal with his heirs, Primary Wave has acquired the music publishing passive income stream of songs written by Crudup. Included in the deal are some of Crudup’s biggest hits – “That’s All Right,” “My Baby Left Me” and “So Glad You’re Mine.” All three songs were recorded by Elvis Presley and, while Crudup was considered to be one of the most prominent blues recording artists in the 1940s, he became known as the Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll after Presley released his versions in the 1950s.
“We are excited to add Arthur Crudup’s songs and have him as part of our growing roster of artists and catalogs,” says Justin Shukat, President of Primary Wave Music Publishing. He goes on, “He was an innovator and a classic blues artist. We look forward to carrying on the legacy of this legendary musician and working with his estate to create new opportunities that will introduce his music to a new generation of music fans.”
Crudup didn’t start playing guitar until he was in his thirties but, despite the late start, he became one of America’s top-selling blues artists. In 1941, while playing on the streets of Chicago, he was offered a chance to record for RCA Victor’s Bluebird label, recording with them until 1954. Rarely performing live, Crudup preferred juke joints to theaters playing with the likes of Elmore James, Sonny Boy Williamson, and more. In 1961, Crudup surfaced after a long layoff with an album for Bobby Robinson’s Harlem-based Fire logo dominated by remakes of his Bluebird hits. Another lengthy hiatus preceded Delmark boss Bob Koester’s following the tip of Big Joe Williams to track down the elusive legend (Crudup had drifted into contract farm labor work in the interim). The guitarist’s sound hadn’t been dimmed over time and his late 60s work saw him make decent money, playing various blues and folk festivals for a handful of years before his death in 1974.