# Foreigner co-founder Mick Jones sells catalogue stake to Primary Wave

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/foreigners-mick-jones-strikes-catalog-deal-with-primary-wave/
- Published: 2026-07-10T14:39:15+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-11T10:12:48+00:00
- Original publisher: Billboard
- Original article: https://www.billboard.com/pro/foreigner-mick-jones-catalog-deal-primary-wave/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Mick Jones sells a stake in his Foreigner catalogue to Primary Wave.
- Deal covers publishing, masters, touring and image rights; terms undisclosed.
- Foreigner's catalogue tops 80 million album units and is still growing.

## Summary

Primary Wave Music has struck a deal with Mick Jones, co-founder of the rock band Foreigner, acquiring a stake in his music assets covering publishing, master recordings, touring, and name, image and likeness rights. Although the financial terms were not disclosed, Primary Wave typically buys a majority stake, which in this case likely includes Jones's publishing and his share of Foreigner's artist royalties from the band's hit albums, as well as a stake in later albums he owns. The deal reflects the continuing appetite among investment firms for the catalogues of established heritage artists whose music retains strong commercial value.

As part of the agreement, Primary Wave's marketing and publishing teams will work alongside the band's management on new branding, digital, synch, and film and TV opportunities. Foreigner — whose hits include "I Want to Know What Love Is", "Juke Box Hero" and "Cold as Ice" — has amassed more than 80 million album consumption units globally across nine studio albums, 11 live albums and 16 compilations. The catalogue remains commercially active in the US, rising from roughly 340,000 consumption units in 2024 to 375,000 in 2025 and a projected 400,000-plus this year. The tie-up coincides with the band's 50th anniversary celebrations, including a live album and film, In the Eye of the Storm Live, due out on 24 July.

## Coverage

- [Billboard: Foreigner co-founder Mick Jones sells catalogue stake to Primary Wave](https://www.billboard.com/pro/foreigner-mick-jones-catalog-deal-primary-wave/)
- [Blabbermouth: FOREIGNER's MICK JONES Partners With PRIMARY WAVE MUSIC](https://blabbermouth.net/news/foreigners-mick-jones-partners-with-primary-wave-music)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.