Kobalt Music Copyrights has acquired publishing rights to the B-52’s catalog. The Athens, Ga., band saw a string of hits during the late 1970s through the ’80s, including such classics as “Love Shack,” “Roam,” “Planet Claire,” “Rock Lobster” and “Deadbeat Club.”
With the deal, KMC assumes 100 percent ownership of the band’s music publishing rights. Parent entity Kobalt Music Group will administer the catalog worldwide.
The B-52’s join a roster that already counts about 250,000 copyrights from such artists and songwriters as Paul McCartney, Lady Antebellum, Dave Grohl, Pearl Jam, No Doubt, Max Martin, Kid Rock, Dr. Luke, Ryan Tedder and many more.
Said Kobalt CEO Willard Ahdritz of the B-52’s musical legacy, “It’s great, timeless music that everyone loves.”
Added the band, comprising founding members Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson and Keith Strickland, in announcing the deal April 15: “We are very excited about our new relationship with Kobalt and believe this is the right home for the caretaking of our catalog and the continued promotion and exposure of our music to new generations of fans around the world.”
The B-52’s released the live album and DVD With the Wild Crowd! Live in Athens, GA in 2011.