Elton walks ‘Yellow Brick Road’ to riches
Elton John and Universal Music Group announced on Friday a recorded music and song publishing deal so encompassing that it includes the artist’s husband. David Furnish, who married the 71-yearold musician (left) in 2014, is credited with fostering what UMG called in a statement “an ever-closer working partnership with UMG.”
Their collaboration has centered on expanding Elton John’s presence on streaming services and social media in addition to traditional avenues.
The deal extends Elton John’s music and publishing relationship with UMG while adding merchandising to the long-term agreement.
“An artist of Elton’s stature could go anywhere,” a music veteran told The Post.
“The point is he saw the benefit of being with a company that has leading operations in all of the categories.”
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The partnership entitles the world’s largest music company to represent all output by the artist from the past five decades, as well as any new music he creates.
The “Candle in the Wind” singer, whose “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour kicked off this month in Allentown, Pa., negotiated the deal through Rocket Entertain- ment — his artist management company, which Furnish has run as chief executive since 2015.
In addition, all of Elton John’s publishing rights will be administered by UMG, the largest music label in the world, while its merchandising arm, Bravado, will work with Rocket on brand partnerships and licensing opportunities for the musician’s three-year-long farewell tour.
“In UMG we’ve got the perfect partners to support all aspects of my creative endeavors,” the five-time Grammy winner said in a statement on Friday after inking the deal.
UMG CEO Lucian Grainge called Elton John “a creative cornerstone” of his company, which he said “has evolved” in tandem with the artist.
What was once just a “label” and “publisher” is now a “global media and entertainment company that is positioned to work at a far higher level and with greater impact with an artist of Elton’s caliber,” Grainge said in a statement.