Primary Wave Music has struck a partnership with the estate of Robert Palmer.
According to a press release, the agreement will see Primary Wave work alongside the estate on the late singer’s publishing and recording catalog, and share in his name, image, and likeness rights.
Primary Wave announced the deal on Wednesday (September 23). Financial terms were not disclosed.
The release added that the estate will gain access to Primary Wave‘s marketing team and publishing infrastructure, with the two sides working on new marketing, branding, digital, and sync opportunities, as well as film and television projects.
Palmer, who died on September 26, 2003, at the age of 54, recorded 14 studio albums and three live albums, according to Primary Wave.
“We are very excited to partner with Primary Wave,” the Palmer estate said. “As we continue to honor Robert’s incredible legacy, we also look forward to working with the team on exploring ways to bring his music to both new and existing audiences, preserving his lasting impact for years to come.”
“As we continue to honor Robert’s incredible legacy, we also look forward to working with the team on exploring ways to bring his music to both new and existing audiences, preserving his lasting impact for years to come.”
Robert Palmer estate
Palmer‘s best-known recordings include Addicted to Love, Simply Irresistible, Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor), and Johnny and Mary.
He won two Grammy Awards for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, for Addicted to Love in 1987 and Simply Irresistible in 1989.
Addicted to Love, which Palmer wrote, was also nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year at that 1987 ceremony.
The single reached No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986, the only time Palmer topped that chart.
The song’s video, directed by Terence Donovan, won Best Male Video at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards, and Primary Wave says the clip drew five nominations at that ceremony.
The announcement also quotes Island Records founder Chris Blackwell describing the clip as “one of the defining videos of the 1980s.”
Simply Irresistible, the lead single from Palmer‘s Heavy Nova album, reached No.2 on the Hot 100 in 1988.
Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor), issued in 1979, reached No.14 on the Hot 100 and brought Palmer his first Grammy nomination.
Johnny and Mary, from the 1980 album Clues, reached No.1 in Spain and No.7 in Germany.
Its hook was used in Renault advertising across the 1980s and 1990s.
Looking for Clues, also taken from Clues, was among the videos aired on MTV‘s first day of broadcasting on August 1, 1981.
Palmer also fronted The Power Station with Duran Duran‘s Andy Taylor and John Taylor, and Chic drummer Tony Thompson.
That band’s first single, Some Like It Hot, reached No.6 on the Hot 100 in 1985.
Palmer‘s recording of I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight with UB40 reached No.6 on the UK singles chart in 1990.
His final studio album, Drive, was released in May 2003 and reached No.10 on Billboard‘s Blues Albums chart.
“Robert Palmer was a truly unique artist whose distinctive voice, songwriting, and style left an indelible mark on popular music,” said Samantha Rhulen, SVP, Business & Legal Affairs at Primary Wave. “His catalog continues to resonate with audiences, and we are honored to welcome his incredible body of work to the Primary Wave family.
“We look forward to working alongside the Estate not only to preserve but also grow his legacy through innovative partnerships, new opportunities, and meaningful ways to introduce his music to fans around the world.”
“Robert Palmer was a truly unique artist whose distinctive voice, songwriting, and style left an indelible mark on popular music.”
Samantha Rhulen, Primary Wave
The deal is the latest in a run of catalog and name, image, and likeness partnerships for the Larry Mestel-led company.
Earlier this month, Primary Wave struck a deal with the estate of Wilson Pickett covering a stake in the soul singer’s publishing catalog and his name, image, and likeness rights.
That agreement landed during a period of expansion for Primary Wave, whose acquisition of Kobalt closed on July 7 in a transaction worth around USD $1.5 billion.
The company closed its fourth flagship music fund at $2.225 billion in April, exceeding both its $1.5 billion target and its $2 billion hard cap.
Primary Wave, which describes itself as the leading independent publisher of iconic and legendary music in the world, was founded by Mestel in 2006.
Its portfolio spans rights in the music of Bob Marley, Prince, Whitney Houston, James Brown, Ray Charles, and Smokey Robinson, among others.Music Business Worldwide
