Primary Wave has acquired a majority stake in the catalog of Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee, Allee Willis.
Included in the deal are some of the songwriter’s biggest hits such as September and Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind & Fire, Neutron Dance by The Pointer Sisters, What Have I Done to Deserve This? by the Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield, and I’ll Be There For You by The Rembrandts, which was made famous when it became the theme song for the long running sitcom Friends.
Also included in the acquisition is Willis’ interest in the songs that she wrote for Broadway production, The Color Purple.
Primary Wave will also serve as the exclusive partner of Willis’ name, likeness, and life story rights, as well as of her personal art and collection of antiques, artwork, and memorabilia.
The publisher has already confirmed it will partner with her estate on a documentary about Willis’ life.
Allee Willis was a Grammy, Emmy, Tony and Webby award-winning and nominated Songwriters Hall Of Fame songwriter, performer, visual artist, multimediaist, director, collector and social artist.
Her hits-including Earth, Wind & Fire’s September and Boogie Wonderland, The Pointer Sisters’ Neutron Dance, Pet Shop Boys with Dusty Springfield’s What Have I Done To Deserve This, and The Rembrandts’ I’ll Be There For You (Theme From Friends) – have sold more than 60 million records.
Willis also co-authored the Oprah Winfrey-produced Broadway musical The Color Purple.
“In looking for a home that would understand, respect and creatively grow the visibility of Allee’s astounding, multidisciplinary body of work, there was really only one choice.”
Tina Fasbender, Fasbender Financial
Tina Fasbender, Allee’s business manager and founder of Fasbender Financial, said: “In looking for a home that would understand, respect and creatively grow the visibility of Allee’s astounding, multidisciplinary body of work, there was really only one choice.
“Allee was not just a songwriter, and as Trustees, we needed a team that had the vision, passion and resources to take in her lifelong creative explosion and think outside the box…because that’s where she lived and created. Primary Wave is not just a publisher.
“They are a company of music fans, who have well-honed, wide-ranging skill sets.
“They grow what they love. The many puzzle pieces of Allee’s creative hurricane are perfectly suited for how Primary Wave markets and promotes art. This was a match made in heaven, for all involved.”
“Her catalog is iconic, her songs are ageless.”
Lawrence Mestel, Primary Wave
Lawrence Mestel, CEO & Founder of Primary Wave Music Publishing, said: “The hits Allee Willis penned for the likes of Earth, Wind & Fire, The Pointer Sisters, Pet Shop Boys and more have stood the test of time.
“Her catalog is iconic, her songs are ageless. I am so thrilled to welcome her to the family and to be working with her trustees on some very exciting projects incorporating both her songs and her incredible life story.”
Music Business Worldwide