Universal Music Group has acquired the entirety of Neil Diamond’s song catalogue through Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), its leading global publishing division, as well as the rights to all recordings from his career, including 110 unreleased tracks, an unreleased album and archival long form videos.
Under the new agreement, which includes previously unreleased tracks, UMG will also record and release Diamond’s future music, should he decide to return to the studio.
“After nearly a decade in business with UMG, I am thankful for the trust and respect that we have built together and I feel confident in the knowledge that Lucian, Jody, Bruce, Michelle and the global team at UMG, will continue to represent my catalogue, and future releases with the same passion and integrity that have always fuelled my career,” said Diamond.
Diamond has sold more than 130 million albums over the past half century. The deal builds upon UMPG’s existing relationship with Diamond, as the company has served as his publishing administrator since 2014.
Additionally, UMG’s agreement with Diamond cements a professional homecoming, reuniting his early Bang recordings and post-1972 recordings with those he recorded exclusively with UMG’s MCA Records between 1968 and 1972, a period in which he created and released hits such as Sweet Caroline, Holly Holy, and the chart-toppers Cracklin’ Rosie and Song Sung Blue.
Since 2013, UMG and Diamond have enjoyed a fruitful recording agreement and licensing deal for the non-MCA recordings through its Capitol Music Group division and Universal Music Enterprises (UMe), a close working relationship that produced three albums.
“Neil Diamond is by definition, a truly universal songwriter,” said Sir Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group.
“His immense songbook and recordings encompass some of the most cherished and enduring songs in music history. Through our existing partnership, we are honoured to have earned his trust to become the permanent custodians of his monumental musical legacy.”
“A legendary artist and songwriter, Neil’s music exemplifies how truly great songs have lasting power and stand the test of time,” added Jody Gerson, UMPG chairman and CEO.
“With this acquisition, which UMPG COO Marc Cimino played an invaluable part in, our global teams across all of Universal Music will work together to ensure that all of his timeless hits like Sweet Caroline, Red Red Wine and Cracklin’ Rosie will continue to impact generations of fans, both existing and those to come.”
Speaking on the announcement, Bruce Resnikoff, President and CEO, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe), and Michelle Jubelirer, Chair and CEO, Capitol Music Group, jointly stated:
“Over his meteoric career, Neil Diamond created one of the greatest recording catalogues in pop music history. To be able to represent it in its entirety is both an honour and a thrill, and the entire Universal Music team looks forward to upholding his iconic legacy.”
A Brooklyn native, Diamond was inspired to become a songwriter when he was still a teenager after Pete Seeger performed at his summer camp and Diamond saw fellow campers sharing their own music with the celebrated folk singer.
Some years later, Diamond ended up dropping out of New York University to pursue his creative dream full time, only to endure several very lean years as a freelance songwriter, often subsisting on hot dogs and sweets.
Diamond finally broke through when he stopped writing for others and started exploring songs about his own experiences and feelings.
Diamond’s songs have been covered by Johnny Cash (Solitary Man) UB40 (Red Red Wine) Frank Sinatra (Sweet Caroline), Andrea Bocelli (September Morn reimagined as Sara’ Settembre) The Monkees (I’m A Believer) and Barbra Streisand (You Don’t Bring Me Flowers) – the latter, coincidentally, a classmate of Diamond’s at Brooklyn’s Erasmus Hall High School.
His music has been used to soundtrack some of the most popular film and TV series of all time, from The Simpsons, Friends, Mr. Robot and The Big Bang Theory to Donnie Brasco, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and Urge Overkill’s rendition of Girl You’ll Be A Woman Soon, taken from Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, and of course his own starring turn in 1980 as the lead in The Jazz Singer.
The world premiere of The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise, a new musical production from Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio, inspired by his life will open for a limited six-week engagement at Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theatre on Tuesday, June 21, before heading to Broadway, with tickets on sale in early March.
Diamond’s accolades, among others, include a Grammy, a Golden Globe, Kennedy Center Honours and an ASCAP Film and Television Music Award, as well as induction into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Diamond was represented in the transaction by Gene Salomon from Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman, Inc. and his manager Katie Diamond.