Merck Mercuriadis, founder of Hipgnosis Songs Fund, has acquired 50 percent of singer icon Neil Young’s music catalog. The Financial Times estimated the sales price to be $150 million.
The deal covers the writing and publishing rights to almost 1,200 songs composed by the singer, ranging from his 1960’s groups Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young to his 50-year long solo career, including the 1972 hit album Harvest and up to the 2020 release Colorado. It gives the U.K.-listed company partial control over songs including “Heart of Gold,” “Rockin’ in the Free World,” “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” and “Cinnamon Girl.”
This acquisition follows Hipgnosis acquiring 100 percent of Lindsey Buckingham’s publishing rights, including both his publishing and writer’s share, across 161 songs. And it purchased Jimmy Iovine’s catalog rights, the legendary music producer and executive who co-founded Interscope Records and Bea
