After years of contentious negotiations and infighting, Pink Floyd sold the rights to its entire music catalog, name and likeness to Sony Music for $400 million.
The landmark deal, finalized this week, gives Sony rights to the band’s merchandise and media, while songwriting copyrights will remain with the band members.
The British rock legends, whose groundbreaking albums such as The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, The Wall, and Atom Heart Mother have collectively sold more than 250 million records worldwide, have agreed to the deal after a tumultuous period of negotiations. The band is the latest addition to Sony Music’s impressive roster, which already includes Queen, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, all of whom have similarly sold their catalogs.
Pink Floyd’s legacy has been mired in disputes, particularly among the surviving members, including outspoken guitarist Roger Waters and bassist and keyboardist David Gilmour. A tax dispute and Waters’ controversial political comments delayed a planned $500 million sale two years ago, with potential buyers such as Hipgnosis, Warner Music and BMG excluded from the deal. Waters sparked controversy with his statements on Israel, Palestine and Ukraine, prompting BMG to cut ties with him earlier this year.
The final deal was not without complications, as it included Gilmour, drummer Nick Mason and the estates of the late keyboardist Richard Wright and founding singer Syd Barrett. Gilmour expressed his satisfaction with the sale, telling the Washington Post that he wanted to avoid burdening his children with the band’s legacy and that he was tired of managing it after nearly four decades of disputes.
As Pink Floyd progresses under Sony’s management, the band remains a cultural icon. They continue to attract millions of listeners on streaming platforms like Spotify, and their influence on music history continues. Last year, the group celebrated the 50th anniversary of *The Dark Side of the Moon* with a special box set, and while their last studio album, *The Endless River*, was released in 2014, their music remains as relevant as ever.
David Gilmour, who was touring with the Luck and Strange Tour, expressed concern about the future use of Pink Floyd’s image, saying: “I’m going to die. Who gives a f*** what anyone does? With this huge deal, the band is closing a chapter in a decades-long musical legacy, It leaves it in the hands of Sony Music for future generations to experience.
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