ZZ Top sells catalog for about $50M
BMG and KKR have acquired the “entire music interests” of long-running American rock band ZZ Top for a sum sources place around $50 million.
The agreement includes a buyout of the band’s publishing catalog and their income from recorded royalties and performance royalties. Previously, BMG served as co-publisher and administrator of ZZ Top’s publishing catalog.
The band — Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard and the late Dusty Hill — released their debut album in 1971 and released 14 more over the course of their 50-year career, including “Fandango” and the video-powered albums that made them one of the biggest rock acts of the ’80s, “Eliminator” and “Afterburner.”
The band has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide.
The group went more than 50 years without a lineup change until bassist Dusty Hill died in July at the age of 72. He was replaced for live dates by longtime guitar tech Elwood Francis.
ZZ Top manager Carl Stubner of Shelter Music Group said, “We are proud to continue working with and expand our long-standing relationship with BMG. This new deal ensures ZZ Top’s remarkable legacy will endure for generations to come.”
BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch said, “This deal is a testament to the success, staying power and continuing musical relevance of ZZ Top, but also to the power of our partnership with KKR. This agreement furthers our vision of providing artists and songwriters not just a financial exit, but also a vehicle committed to respecting and treasuring their artistry.”
‘The Equalizer’ drops Noth:
Chris Noth will no longer be part of the CBS series “The Equalizer” in the wake of sexual assault allegations against the actor.
Universal Television and CBS made a joint announcement Monday that Noth would no longer be part of filming “effective immediately.”
Noth has played a former CIA director on “The Equalizer,” which stars Queen Latifah. Noth will appear in at least one upcoming episode. Noth’s representatives had no immediate comment on “The Equalizer” decision.
Two women accused Noth of sexual assault in a story reported last week by The Hollywood Reporter. Noth vehemently denied the allegations.
Il Divo singer Carlos Marin dead at 53:
Carlos Marin, part of the pop-opera quartet Il Divo, died Sunday at age 53, his bandmates
announced.
“He will be missed by his friends, family and fans. There will never be another voice or spirit like Carlos,” the remaining members wrote.
Details of Marin’s are unclear, but the band announced just days earlier that he had been hospitalized. In early December, Il Divo postponed their winter U.K. tour “due to illness.”
Il Divo was made up of Marin, David Miller, Sebastien Izambard and Urs Buhler.
Dec. 22 birthdays: Actor Hector Elizondo is 85. Singer Red Steagall is 83. TV anchor Diane Sawyer is 76. Guitarist Rick Nielsen is 73. Rapper Luther Campbell is 61. Guitarist Chuck Mead is 61. Actor Ralph Fiennes is 59. Actor Chris Carmack is 41. Actor Greg Finley is 37. Singer Jordin Sparks is 32. Singer Meghan Trainor is 28.