BMG is proud to announce it has acquired the music interests of iconic American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist John Lee Hooker from his estate.
The agreement includes his entire publishing catalog (‘Boom Boom’, ‘One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer’, ‘Boogie Chillen’, among others), co-acquired with BMG’s longstanding partner Fujipacific Music, his entire recorded and performance royalty income, as well as a selection of Hooker’s recorded catalog spanning Alone, Vol. 1(1980) through Black Night Is Falling (2020), acquired solely by BMG.
In what is a complex musical legacy some rights will still remain with third parties, but BMG will now take a lead role in promoting Hooker’s outstanding catalog.
BMG currently represents or owns rights in many of blues music’s most influential artists including Son House, Willie Dixon, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Mississippi Fred McDowell, alongside many other luminaries.
The acquisition is the latest in a string of recent deals completed by BMG to acquire rights from musicians including Mick Fleetwood, Tina Turner, Mötley Crüe, and ZZ Top.
Jeff Jampol, CEO, JAM, Inc., said, “As the longtime managers of the John Lee Hooker estate, JAM, Inc. was happy to help the estate and BMG conclude this transaction. We are very pleased that an artist-first company like BMG will be the stewards of this great legacy moving forward, and we are grateful to remain in a consulting and management role of the John Lee Hooker legacy, in partnership with BMG, moving forward. This is a rare triple-win for everyone: the Hooker family, BMG, and for the millions of John Lee Hooker fans all across the world. We can’t wait to see – and be a part of – what’s coming next!”
Thomas Scherer, BMG President, Repertoire & Marketing, New York and Los Angeles, said, “BMG is proud to be the definitive home of John Lee Hooker’s music, one of the key inspirations and foundation stones of popular music. BMG will ensure John Lee Hooker’s legacy is honored and respected wherever and whenever John Lee Hooker’s music is used, performed, recorded or sold.”
“BMG will ensure John Lee Hooker’s legacy is honored and respected wherever and whenever John Lee Hooker’s music is used, performed, recorded or sold.”
– Thomas Scherer, BMG
Known to music fans around the world as the “King of the Boogie,” John Lee Hooker endures as one of the true superstars of the blues genre: the ultimate beholder of cool.
His work is widely recognized for its impact on modern music – his simple, yet deeply effective songs transcend borders and languages around the globe. Each decade of Hooker’s long career brought a new generation of fans and fresh opportunities for the ever-evolving artist.
Among his first recordings was ‘Boogie Chillen’ (1948) which became a Number One hit, selling over a million copies. This success was soon followed by a string of hits, including ‘I’m in the Mood’, ‘Crawling Kingsnake’ (most famously covered by The Doors), and ‘Hobo Blues’. Over the next 15 years, Hooker maintained a prolific recording schedule, releasing over 100 songs, including the most significant song of his career ‘Boom Boom’.
Header photo: Courtesy of the John Lee Hooker Estate
