McCartney in front of the Capitol Records Building
The international music superstar, Paul McCartney, just signed a historic agreement with Capitol Records. Chairman and CEO, Steve Barnett, announced this exciting news on Wednesday, August 17.
The records included in this landmark contract include all of McCartney’s music work after the Beatles. This collection is extensive. It ranges from McCartney’s 1970 album, McCartney, through his career with the band Wings, and numerous collaborative and solo pieces.
This agreement is especially significant as McCartney is one of the most influential musicians in the entire industry. The artist has sold an outstanding 500 million records internationally throughout a career that has spanned through six decades! His career also boasts 21 Grammy’s, two-time inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a honoree of the Kennedy Center Honors, and Academy Award, France’s Legion d’Honneur, the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song and more countless awards and titles.
Additionally, The Official Albums Chart Company recently branded him with the title of the United Kingdom’s most successful albums artists of all time! Queen Elizabeth II of England even knighted the musician in 1997 for his contributions to the world. Clearly, McCartney’s contribution to not only the music industry, but to the world, is an impressive and admirable feat.
Paul McCartney at the Kennedy Center Honors Ceremony
McCartney commented on his exciting agreement with Capitol Records. He said, “This is genuinely exciting for me. Not only was Capitol my first U.S. record label, but the first record I ever bought was Gene Vincent’s ‘Be-Bop-A-Lula’ on the Capitol label.”
The artist’s is now working on a new album while a plan for his extensive music catalogue is being made by Capitol and Universal Music Enterprises (UMe). McCartney and his management team are also working with the company to solidify the deal that will commence in July 2017.
Music Moguls Express Excitement over Agreement with McCartney
Many leaders of Capitol records and Universal Music Group have expressed incredible excitement over this impressive agreement with McCartney.
Capitol Records
The Chairman and CEO of Capitol Records expressed his pride. He quotes: “Paul McCartney’s association with Capitol has long defined so much of our historic legacy, and all of us here are extremely proud and honored that he has chosen to come back home. Paul’s indelible contributions to our culture are second to none, and his constant evolution as an artist and performer continues to inspire and enrich the lives of countless millions of people. We are overjoyed that Paul will be creating new music for years to come, and that Capitol will be helping to present it to the world.”
U.S. Recorded Music
UMG’s Executive Vice President of U.S. Recorded Music also commented. He said, “Paul’s vital and legendary body of work as a solo artist remains essential, relevant and so highly in demand. We’re beyond thrilled at the opportunity to put the global resources of Universal Music behind Paul’s forthcoming work, as well as introducing his previous iconic albums to new generations of fans around the world.”
Universal Music Group
Additionally, Lucian Grainge showed huge enthusiasm over the agreement. The Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group said,”It would be simply impossible to overstate what an honor it is to welcome Paul back to Capitol. It’s a homecoming of one of the greatest musical artists of all time to the label that first helped bring his incredible music to the world. Paul’s astonishing career has shown no limits — in creativity, in commercial longevity, and in its impact on people and cultures in every corner of the globe. We are thrilled at both Capitol and UMG to be able to contribute to the next chapter in Paul’s extraordinary career.”
What should the world expect next from the musical genius? I guess that is something we will have to wait and see.
FestPop San Francisco Staff Writer Mandy Losk