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Music Industry Moves: BMG Fully Acquires John Lee Hooker, Hal David, ARC Music Publishing Catalogs
BMG has completed its full acquisition of the publishing catalogues of blues legend John Lee Hooker, celebrated lyricist Hal David and the historic ARC Music archive, taking outright ownership of works that have shaped American popular music. The deal finalises a transaction first set in motion in 2016, when BMG took a majority stake in ARC Music from Fuji Music Group, and follows a 2022 agreement in which BMG co-acquired Hooker's rights alongside Fuji. The move consolidates BMG's control over some of the most influential songwriting in blues, pop and rock history.
Hal David, best known for his partnership with Burt Bacharach and Dionne Warwick, wrote hits including "Walk On By", "I Say A Little Prayer" and "What's New Pussycat?", while John Lee Hooker's catalogue includes "Boom Boom" and "Boogie Chillen'". ARC Music, founded in 1948 by Leonard and Phil Chess as the publishing arm of Chess Records, holds songs made famous by Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and Etta James, among others. BMG's Monti Olson said the acquisition strengthens the company's position as custodian of significant American musical heritage for future generations.
In short
- BMG takes full ownership of John Lee Hooker's publishing catalogue
- Deal also secures remaining rights to Hal David and ARC Music
- Completes transactions first begun in 2016 and 2022
Explained simply
Music publishing catalogues are the rights to songs, owned by companies rather than the original artists. BMG, a major music company, has acquired complete ownership of three catalogues containing songs that have been central to American music history.
The acquisitions include works by blues legend John Lee Hooker, whose classic "Boom Boom" remains well-known, and songwriter Hal David, famous for songs like "Walk On By" written with composer Burt Bacharach. The third acquisition is the ARC Music archive, founded in 1948, which holds compositions made famous by blues and rock pioneers such as Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters and Etta James.
Owning these catalogues means BMG controls how the songs are used and benefits from their continued use in films, television, adverts and streaming platforms. These collections represent foundational works in American music, and their preservation under a single steward is significant for how these pieces of cultural history are managed.