Primary Wave has entered a partnership with the estate of British singer Robert Palmer to manage his publishing and recorded music catalogs, the company announced Tuesday (Sept. 22).
The announcement did not state whether Primary Wave acquired any assets. Palmer music assets had been shopped earlier this year, and Primary Wave typically enters artist partnerships after an acquisition. The agreement includes a stake in Palmer’s name, image and likeness rights. Palmer died of a heart attack in 2003.
Marketing and catalog plans#
Primary Wave’s marketing and publishing teams will work with the estate on branding, digital, synchronization, film and television opportunities.
“Robert Palmer was a truly unique artist whose distinctive voice, songwriting, and style left an indelible mark on popular music,” Samantha Rhulen, Primary Wave’s senior vice president of business and legal affairs, said in a statement. “His catalog continues to resonate with audiences, and we are honored to welcome his incredible body of work to the Primary Wave family. We look forward to working alongside the Estate not only to preserve but also grow his legacy through innovative partnerships, new opportunities, and meaningful ways to introduce his music to fans around the world.”
Sales and certifications#
Palmer released 14 studio albums and 3 live albums and sold millions of albums worldwide, according to the announcement. Since 1991, his catalog has accumulated nearly 2.09 million consumption units, Luminate data shows.
- Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA): platinum certifications for Riptide, Heavy Nova and Addictions: Volume 1
- British Phonographic Industry (BPI): BRIT platinum award for Addictions: Volume 1
- Grammy Awards: best male rock vocal performance in 1987 for “Addicted to Love” and in 1989 for “Simply Irresistible”
In the U.S., platinum represents 1 million consumption units; in the U.K., it represents 300,000 units.
“We are very excited to partner with Primary Wave,” the Palmer estate said in a statement. “As we continue to honor Robert’s incredible legacy, we also look forward to working with the team on exploring ways to bring his music to both new and existing audiences, preserving his lasting impact for years to come.”
Primary Wave first alluded to the partnership in a May blog post titled “20th Anniversary of Culture, Catalogs & Legacy.”
