David Bowie’s Music Catalog Is Sold to Warner Chappell Music

Terms of the transaction weren’t disclosed, but a person familiar with the deal estimated the catalog was sold for roughly $250 million. Warner Chappell Music is the music-publishing arm of Warner Music Group. WMG -0.53%

It includes hundreds of songs from Mr. Bowie’s 26 studio albums, such as “Space Oddity,” “Changes,” “Life on Mars?,” “Starman” and “Rebel Rebel.” It also includes a posthumous album release, “Toy.”

“We are truly gratified that David Bowie’s body of music will now be in the capable hands of Warner Chappell Music Publishing,” said Allen Grubman, an attorney for the David Bowie Estate. 

Mr. Bowie’s career transcended music. Albums such as 1972’s “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars,” along with his lively performances, made him a symbol of not just music but also art and fashion. 

“These are not only extraordinary songs, but milestones that have changed the course of modern music forever,” said WCM Co-Chair and Chief Executive Guy Moot in a written statement.

The sale comes as several living artists have also sold the rights to their music at high valuations. Last month, Bruce Springsteen sold the right to his music to Sony Music Group for between $500 million and $600 million. 

Madonna and her original music label, Warner Music Group, last summer said they would team up in a deal that spans her entire recorded music catalog, and will include reissued albums and new deluxe editions curated by the performer over the next few years. 

In 2020, Bob Dylan sold his entire publishing catalog—more than 600 copyrights spanning 60 years—to Universal Music Publishing Group. That same year, Stevie Nicks closed a deal to sell a majority stake in her publishing catalog to music publisher Primary Wave, which purchased an 80% interest.

Write to Talal Ansari at [email protected]