North East songwriter Sting has become the latest musician to sell the rights to his work in a deal reported to be worth hundreds of millions of pounds.
The Wallsend-born star has sold his songwriting catalogue to Universal, allowing him to cash in on both his solo work and the music he wrote for The Police.
The deal, which comes a few months after Sting’s 70th birthday, has been reported as being worth up to $300m, though that has not been confirmed by either party.
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He said: “It is absolutely essential to me that my career’s body of work have a home where it is valued and respected – not only to connect with long time fans in new ways, but also to introduce my songs to new audiences, musicians and generations.
“Throughout my career, I have enjoyed a long and successful relationship with UMG as my label partner, under the watchful guidance of Lucian (Grainge), so it felt natural to unite everything in one trusted home, as I return to the studio, ready for the next chapter.”
Born Gordon Sumner, Sting was the son of a hairdresser and a milkman who worked as a teacher in Northumberland before his music career took off.
He found fame as songwriter and bassist for new wave rockers The Police from 1977 until 1984, after which he left to pursue a solo career. He has won 17 Grammys, including song of the year for Every Breath You Take in 1984, three Brits and various other accolades.
Despite having left the North East, he returned to star in the 1988 film Stormy Monday, which was set in Newcastle, and in 2013 he wrote the musical The Last Ship, which was inspired by Tyneside’s shipbuilding past.
Sir Lucian Grainge, chairman and chief executive of Universal Music Group, said: “I’ve had the privilege to work with Sting for over 20 years and I’m so thrilled to expand our relationship to now include music publishing.
“Sting is a songwriting genius whose music permeates global culture. We are honoured that by choosing UMPG for his music publishing, Sting’s entire body of work as a songwriter and recording artist – from the Police to his solo work – will all be within the UMG family.
“It’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly, as well as a great validation of what we have built for artists at UMG.”
Sting was represented in the deal by American entertainment lawyer, Allen Grubman, who also represented the David Bowie estate during negotiations over Warner Chappell Music’s lucrative acquisition of the late musician’s publishing rights.
Artists including Mick Fleetwood, Neil Young and Blondie singer Debbie Harry have all also sold interests in their music in the past two years.
Singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen recently signed a deal reportedly worth $550m over his back catalogue.
