PRIMARY WAVE MUSIC PUBLISHING ANNOUNCES AN AGREEMENT TODAY TO PURCHASE
THE MUSIC PUBLISHING CATALOG AND OTHER RIGHTS OF THE LEGENDARY ARTIST, SONGWRITER, AND PRODUCER PATRICK LEONARD
The music publishing catalog of Patrick Leonard, Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer, and longtime Madonna collaborator, is the latest acquisition for Primary Wave Music. In the deal that was announced today, the dynamic publisher will acquire Leonard’s rights in his music publishing and recorded music catalogs, as well as his master royalties as a producer. Included in the multi-million-dollar deal are Leonard’s share of a number of hits from the legendary Leonard Cohen such as “You Want It Darker,” “It Seemed the Better Way,” and “If I Didn’t Have Your Love.” The deal also encompasses Leonard’s share of songwriter royalties from his work with the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna. Songs include a number of her number one hits such as “La Isla Bonita,” “Frozen,” and the classic “Like A Prayer” which Rolling Stone hailed as “close to art as pop music gets.”
Patrick is also an accomplished producer working with a number of award-winning singers throughout his career including Roger Waters, Bon Jovi, Rod Stewart, Elton John, Jewel, Fleetwood Mac and many others. The deal will also see Primary Wave enter into go-forward deals with Patrick to administer Patrick’s publishing as well as distribute his masters on all future projects. Patrick will also now have access to Primary Wave’s marketing team and publishing infrastructure, which includes digital strategy, licensing, synch opportunities as well as film, television and theatrical production.
“A while back, when I was making multiple albums a year, there was a group of people that I did work for and did work for me that I both depended on and respected.” said Patrick Leonard. He continued, “It was a bit like an extended family and really, there’s been nothing like it since. When I met Larry and Adam and the formidable team at Primary Wave it was clear that it was all about music and the possibilities. It was almost shocking and immediately reminded me of those years that were so productive for me. Honestly, I couldn’t wait to become a member of their vision”.
“I am extremely excited to welcome Patrick Leonard to Primary Wave as he fits in perfectly with our family of artists,” says Adam Lowenberg, Chief Marketing Officer at Primary Wave Music. He continues, “I’m thrilled to begin developing innovative initiatives to help continue making the public aware of Patrick’s musical genius.”
Los Angeles based songwriter, producer, keyboardist, and film composer, Patrick Leonard has collaborated with such legendary artists as Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart, Jewel, Robbie Robertson, Leonard Cohen and more. He’s probably best known, however, for his long-time collaboration with Madonna. His work with the groundbreaking singer includes her albums True Blue, Who’s That Girl, Like a Prayer, I’m Breathless and Ray of Light. He also scored Madonna’s 2008 documentary I Am Because We Are, played keyboards with her at Live Aid in 1985, and was both musical director and keyboardist on the singer’s The Virgin Tour and Who’s That Girl World Tour. Patrick’s soundtrack production credits include the blockbuster films “Moulin Rouge,” “Shrek,” “Legally Blonde,” and “Spirt: Stallion of the Cimarron.” As a performer, Patrick was a founding member, as well as principal songwriter, for early 90’s progressive-pop studio band, Toy Matinee. He also founded his own label, Unitone, through which he has released his own original music.. The 1997 album Rivers was his first offering. That album was reissued and distributed by Rounder Records in 2000.