Neil Diamond Sells Song Catalog, Master Recordings to Universal Music Group

variety.com:

K.J. Yossman Universal Music Publishing Group  has acquired Neil Diamond’s entire song catalog, as well as the rights to all recordings from his career, the company announced Monday.The deal covers songs, masters and videos and includes 110 unreleased tracks and an unreleased album.

It will also cover any future music Diamond may record. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.The move reunites Diamond’s early recordings and post-1972 output with his tracks from the late 1960s and early 1970s, which were recorded with UMG’s MCA Records and include “Sweet Caroline,” “Holly Holy,” “Cracklin’ Rosie” and “Song Sung Blue.”Diamond, who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2011, has seen over 70 of his songs hit the Billboard charts and counts Grammys, Golden Globes and a Kennedy Center Honor among his many professional achievements.

Diamond has worked with Universal’s publishing division since 2014, when it began serving as his publishing administrator. He has also had a recording and licensing deal with UMG for non-MCA recordings since 2013 (through UMG’s Capitol Music Group division and Universal Music Enterprises), which has seen the production of three albums.“After nearly a decade in business with UMG, I am thankful for the trust and respect that we have built together and I feel confident in the knowledge that Lucian, Jody, Bruce, Michelle and the global team at UMG, will continue to represent my catalogue, and future releases with the same passion and integrity that have always fueled my career,” Diamond said in a statement.Sir Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group said: “Neil Diamond is by definition, a truly universal songwriter.