Independent music publishing company Primary Wave, announced on Wednesday (June 28) that they have acquired a stake in the publishing catalog of George Brown, founding member and drummer of Kool & The Gang. Billboard reported that the deal encompasses Brown’s writer’s share of his music publishing and public performance income.
The multi-million dollar agreement includes renowned hits such as “Ladies Night,” “Celebration,” “Get Down on It,” “Cherish,” “Jungle Boogie,” and “Summer Madness,” among others.
Kool & The Gang, consisting of Robert “Kool” Bell, Ronald Bell, Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, Robert “Spike” Mickens, Charles Smith, Woodrow “Woody” Sparrow, and Ricky West, gained recognition with their debut album, “Kool and the Gang,” released in 1969 under the indie label De-Lite Records. The group achieved breakthrough success in 1973 with their fourth album, “Wild and Peaceful,” featuring hits like “Jungle Boogie” and “Hollywood Swinging.” Their versatile blend of funk, soul, R&B, disco, and jazz also contributed to the soundtracks of films such as “Rocky” (1976) and “Saturday Night Fever” (1977).
Kool & The Gang’s illustrious career has earned them two Grammy awards, seven American Music Awards, and induction into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Additionally, the band received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, while George Brown, along with bandmates Taylor, Robert, and Ronald Bell, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018.
Expressing his satisfaction with the deal, Brown said, “I am very pleased to call Primary Wave my music partner and to join with dozens of other iconic artists and creatives in an incredible business family. I look forward to collaborating with Larry Mestel and the entire Primary Wave team to further enhance my catalog and the Kool & The Gang brand.”
Kendall A. Minter, Brown’s legal counsel, stated, “The alignment of a globally iconic artist and creative talent with an iconic, global independent music publisher and brand enhancer is a win-win for the entire music community and fans.”
Samantha Rhulen, Senior VP of Business and Legal Affairs at Primary Wave, acknowledged Kool & The Gang’s profound influence, saying, “Kool and the Gang’s influence on generations of musicians and fans around the globe cannot be denied. We are thrilled to now be partnering with George Brown in 2023 after witnessing their induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018.”
Chris Blackwell, the man who launched Bob Marley to the world sold a percentage of his share of the Marley’s publishing to Primary Wave for $50 million back in 2018.
Under the Primary Wave deal, the company now controls 80 percent of the Island Records founder’s share of two catalogs: Marley’s songs and Blue Mountain Music. Blue Mountain Music was founded in 1962 by Chris Blackwell and it administers Chronixx’ Catalogue as well as reggae hits by Toots & the Maytals and rock classics by Free (“All Right Now”). Blackwell told the New York Times that Blue Mountain also has rights to U2 songs, but those were not part of the deal.
