Phil Collins and Genesis sell rights to music catalogue in huge deal

Virgin Radio

30 Sep 2022, 07:57

In recent times, we’ve seen an increasing number of musicians and bands selling the rights to their back-catalogues for massive sums of money. And now Phil Collins and Genesis have done the same.

Members of Genesis have sold the rights to their music - both as a band and individual work - for a total of over $300 million (£270m).

As reported by Wall Street Journal, Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks sold the rights to Concord Music Group Inc. The deal includes publishing copyrights, recorded music income streets and the original masters.

The deal does not, however, include the work of the previous Genesis member, Peter Gabriel. 

Genesis originally formed in 1967, finding fame in the 1970s, and selling more than 100 million records.

Earlier this year, Phil Collins and his bandmates Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks played the final Genesis gig in London.

The group’s farewell at London’s O2 Arena in March brought to an end their The Last Domino? tour. Phil Collins had been performing in a chair throughout the tour, having suffered from a number of health conditions over recent years, including injuries to his back, neck and hands.

The band’s final ever gig came after a 14-year live hiatus. Although original Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel - who left in 1975 - did not join the band onstage for their farewell show, he was in attendance.

From the stage at their farewell, Phil Collins joked: “After tonight we’ve all gotta get real jobs.”

Other artists and bands who have recently signed big deals include Primal Scream, who reached an agreement with BMG to include all 11 of their albums. Tina Turner is another artist to have penned a deal. This year, Bob Dylan sold his recorded catalogue for upwards of $150m (£135m).

Meanwhile, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen and Paul Simon all sold rights to their music in 2021.