Switzerland-based MusicBird says it has acquired the master royalty income from Dougie Thomson’s recordings with Supertramp, the British rock band that sold more than 60 million albums since they were formed in 1970.
The deal, financial terms of which were not disclosed, covers Thomson’s contributions to some of the band’s hits, including Goodbye Stranger, Give a Little Bit and Breakfast in America.
Thomson joined Supertramp as a bassist in the 1970s and remained with the band for 15 years until 1988. That run included some of the group’s landmark records, including Crime of the Century, Crisis? What Crisis?, Even in the Quietest Moments…, and Breakfast in America.
Breakfast in America won two Grammy Awards, with its lead single The Logical Song receiving the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically in 1979.
Paul Brown, CEO of MusicBird, said: “We have ambitious growth plans and are continuing to build momentum, converting our deal pipeline, while staying true to our investment strategy with a laser focus on brilliant music. With enduring global popularity spanning more than half a century, Dougie’s catalog further diversifies our collection of music rights across different eras and geographies, as well as bringing the weight of truly stratospheric commercial success to our collection.
“With enduring global popularity spanning more than half a century, Dougie’s catalog further diversifies our collection of music rights across different eras and geographies, as well as bringing the weight of truly stratospheric commercial success to our collection.”
Paul Brown, MusicBird
Added Brown: “As an integral part of one of the most successful bands of all time, Dougie’s career is a rare combination of creative impact, longevity and cultural influence at the highest level of popular music. Supertramp’s music continues to find new fans and opportunities for success, and we are excited to be part of that ongoing journey.”
Jonas Anker, Co-Founder and Chairman of MusicBird, added: “It fills me with deep pride to see this deal announced – one of the most enduring bodies of work in the history of popular music. These are true evergreen songs that have moved generations of listeners worldwide, and we are honoured to be their stewards.”
“It fills me with deep pride to see this deal announced – one of the most enduring bodies of work in the history of popular music.”
Jonas Anker, MusicBird
Dougie Thomson said: “I am immensely proud of the music I recorded with Supertramp and am grateful that so many people are still listening to and discovering it now. The MusicBird team has genuine care for this music, and I am pleased to entrust them with my interest in the catalog.”
The acquisition marks MusicBird’s third in six months after striking deals with Toronto-based R&B artist and production duo Majid Jordan in February and the estate of multi-platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated producer Rick Parashar, described as “a central figure in the 1990s Seattle grunge scene.”
MusicBird says it has now closed more than $75 million in music rights deals since its founding, with a portfolio that spans more than 2,000 songs from “several hundred artists.”
Music Business Worldwide