MUMBAI: Universal Music Publishing Group has become the exclusive administrator of the Jimi Hendrix catalog throughout the world outside the United States.
According to media reports, the five-year agreement covers all commercial opportunities, including synchronization licensing for motion pictures, TV, advertising and other media.
Universal Music Publishing replaces Sony/ATV Music Publishing, which had administered the Hendrix catalog outside the United States since 1998. The US publishing rights will continue to be handled by Experience Hendrix, the Seattle company formed in 1995 by the guitarist’s late father, James “Al” Hendrix, and now headed by Jimi Hendrix’s sister Janie Hendrix, who is president/CEO, reports add.
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The Hendrix catalog — which includes such songs as “Purple Haze,” “Crosstown Traffic” and “Voodoo Child” — remains a perennial strong seller. In the United States, the catalog sells about a half-million copies annually, putting worldwide sales at 1.2 million, Billboard estimates. Song downloads of the artist’s music grew from 800,000 in the United States in 2007 to 915,000 last year, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Meanwhile, the artist’s recording catalog appears poised to continue expanding, with Hendrix noting that Experience Hendrix has “10 more years of Hendrix music” in the vaults.
Experience Hendrix expects to release two albums later this year, including one on its Dagger “bootleg” imprint, which is sold only through its Web site. Hendrix also expects to release CDs and DVDs this fall that showcase live performances by the Jimi Hendrix Experience at London’s Royal Albert Hall, as well as behind-the-scenes footage.
