Lindsey Buckingham Has Sold His Publishing Rights

The deal includes his writer and publisher share of Fleetwood Mac's hits

BY Calum SlingerlandPublished Jan 5, 2021

Lindsey Buckingham is the latest songwriter of note to sell his publishing rights, offloading a catalogue of 161 songs — including his recordings with Fleetwood Mac — to Hipgnosis Songs Fund.

Hipgnosis has acquired 100 percent of Buckingham's publishing rights, including both his publishing and writer's share, for the 161-song catalogue, which includes Fleetwood Mac hits "Go Your Own Way" and "The Chain." A price for the catalogue was not disclosed.

Last September, Hipgnosis acquired a 25 percent stake in Buckingham's song catalogue through the buyout of a publishing portfolio from Kobalt for $323 million USD. The company's new arrangement with the songwriter will also land it a 50 percent share of any unreleased compositions.

"Prior to arriving at an agreement with Hipgnosis, I had wonderful long conversations with Merck Mercuriadis," Buckingham said in a statement. "I was pleased to find a kindred spirit, someone who's a big fan of my work in Fleetwood Mac and an even bigger fan of my solo efforts. I look forward to working with Merck and the whole Hipgnosis team going into the future and am confident that my body of work will be curated with great heart and insight."

Merck Mercuriadis of Hipgnosis added: "Lindsey Buckingham is one of the greatest guitarists, songwriters and producers of all time yet is still so underrated. His work with Fleetwood Mac has brought the world unparalleled joy over the last 45 years, and he belongs in any discussion featuring Brian Wilson and Paul McCartney. It's wonderful to welcome him and his iconic songs, both as a solo artist and with Fleetwood Mac, to the Hipgnosis family".

The announcement of Buckingham's deal with Hipgnosis comes a day after the company announced the acquisition of Jimmy Iovine's production royalties. Last year, Buckingham's former bandmate Stevie Nicks sold 80 percent of her publishing rights to Hipgnosis rival Primary Wave for around $80 million USD.

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