Hipgnosis Songs (SONG) announced another deal this morning, after acquiring 100% of the writer’s share and neighbouring rights (sound exchange) royalties to Blondie co-founders, Debbie Harry and Chris Stein’s catalogue, made up of 197 songs.
As pioneers of the American punk and new wave scene of the mid-70s in New York, SONG notes that Blondie are considered one of the most influential bands of all time. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, Blondie introduced punk music into the US mainstream charts in 1976 with hits like ‘In The Flesh’, ‘Rip Her To Shreds’ and ‘X Offender‘ and with their 1980 hit ‘Rapture‘, which was the first US Number 1 single to feature rap vocals, introduced millions to the hip hop sound that has revolutionised popular music.
Blondie have released six UK and four US Number 1 singles and have sold over 40 million records worldwide. Their songs have achieved 25 Number 1 and 73 Top 10 chart positions globally. Their music has been culturally important for over 40 years and ‘Call Me‘, ‘Heart of Glass‘ and ‘One Way or Another‘ have each been streamed over 200m times globally.
Merck Mercuriadis, SONG’s founder, said: “I have followed every move that Debbie and Chris have made since day one. Their singles have been not only massively successful but era and genre defining. Equally well they have made cultural albums of the greatest importance. No one should ever go anywhere without Blondie, Plastic Letters, Parallel Lines, my favourite Eat To The Beat or Autoamerican with them at all times. I am delighted to welcome Debbie, Chris and Allen to the Hipgnosis Family and look forward to working with them for years to come.”
SONG: Hipgnosis Songs announces deal with Blondie co-founders