The estate of Leonard Cohen has sold the iconic Canadian singer-songwriter, poet and novelist's song catalogue to Hipgnosis Song Management.
Hipgnosis announced the deal yesterday (March 6), confirming the acquisition of rights to 278 songs and derivatives written by Cohen. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The firm also announced the acquisition of the "songwriter's share" of royalties for 211 songs Cohen wrote up until the year 2000, in addition to "songwriter's share" and "publisher's share" of royalties for 67 songs written between 2001 and his death in 2016.
"To now be the custodians and managers of Leonard Cohen's incomparable songs is a wonderful yet very serious responsibility that we approach with excitement and fully understand the importance of," Merck Mercuriadis, founder and CEO of Hipgnosis Song Management, shared in a statement.
"Leonard wrote words and songs that have changed our lives, none more so obvious than 'Hallelujah' but there are so many more that we look forward to reminding the world of on a daily basis. He is revered all over the globe because of the magnitude of his work and we are delighted that the Cohen family and [manager Robert Kory] have chosen Hipgnosis in this most important decision of who to entrust with Leonard's legacy. We welcome them to the Hipgnosis' family and look forward to working together to honour the songs of the great Leonard Cohen."
Early last year, Hipgnosis acquired a percentage of Neil Young's songwriting catalogue. The firm has also acquired the rights to material from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom DeLonge, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie and many more.
Hipgnosis announced the deal yesterday (March 6), confirming the acquisition of rights to 278 songs and derivatives written by Cohen. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The firm also announced the acquisition of the "songwriter's share" of royalties for 211 songs Cohen wrote up until the year 2000, in addition to "songwriter's share" and "publisher's share" of royalties for 67 songs written between 2001 and his death in 2016.
"To now be the custodians and managers of Leonard Cohen's incomparable songs is a wonderful yet very serious responsibility that we approach with excitement and fully understand the importance of," Merck Mercuriadis, founder and CEO of Hipgnosis Song Management, shared in a statement.
"Leonard wrote words and songs that have changed our lives, none more so obvious than 'Hallelujah' but there are so many more that we look forward to reminding the world of on a daily basis. He is revered all over the globe because of the magnitude of his work and we are delighted that the Cohen family and [manager Robert Kory] have chosen Hipgnosis in this most important decision of who to entrust with Leonard's legacy. We welcome them to the Hipgnosis' family and look forward to working together to honour the songs of the great Leonard Cohen."
Early last year, Hipgnosis acquired a percentage of Neil Young's songwriting catalogue. The firm has also acquired the rights to material from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom DeLonge, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie and many more.
