Lindsey Buckingham Sells His Publishing Rights, Including Fleetwood Mac Hits

Just one day after it announced the acquisition of Jimmy Iovine’s production royalties, the Merck Mercuriadis-led Hipgnosis Songs Fund has confirmed yet another major rights buyout. This time, Hipgnosis has acquired 100 percent of Lindsey Buckingham’s publishing rights, including both his publishing and writer’s share, across 161 songs.  Those songs include an array of hits that Buckingham wrote and/or co-wrote for Fleetwood Mac, including “Go Your Own Way” and “The Chain.”  Hipgnosis previously acquired a 25 percent stake in Buckingham’s song catalog via its buyout of a publishing portfolio from Kobalt for $323m in September (announced in November). As part of its new agreement with Buckingham, announced today (January 5), Hipgnosis also acquires a 50% share of any unreleased compositions.  Tuesday’s news means that the majority of publishing rights for songs penned by two of Fleetwood Mac’s biggest songwriters — Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks — are now owned by modern, highly acquisitive, rights management firms. (Nicks sold 80 percent of her publishing rights last year to Hipgnosis rival Primary Wave for around $80m.)   Neil Young Sells Catalog Rights to Merck Mercuriadis' Hipgnosis 'The Box' Was the Song of 2020 12 Thrilling Facts About Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Video 20 Essential Grateful Dead Shows  Merck Mercuriadis, founder of Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited, said: “Lindsey Buckingham is one of the greatest guitarists, songwriters and producers of all time yet is still so underrated. His work with Fleetwood Mac has brought the world unparalleled joy over the last 45 years and he belongs in any discussion featuring Brian Wilson and Paul McCartney. It’s wonderful to welcome him and his iconic songs both as a solo artist and with Fleetwood Mac to the Hipgnosis family.”  Lindsey Buckingham said: “Prior to arriving at an agreement with Hipgnosis, I had wonderful long conversations with Merck Mercuriadis. I was pleased to find a kindred spirit, someone who’s a big fan of my work in Fleetwood Mac, and an even bigger fan of my solo efforts.  “I look forward to working with Merck and the whole Hipgnosis team going into the future, and am confident that my body of work will be curated with great heart and insight.”  Lindsey Buckingham was represented by managers Matt Sadie and Simon White at C3 Management, his attorney, David Altschul, of Altschul Olin & Vandergast LLP, and his business manager, Rick Mozenter of Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman.  Lindsey Buckingham released his debut album, Buckingham Nicks, in 1973 with his then partner, Stevie Nicks. The duo later joined Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, and Christine McVie as Fleetwood Mac.  Buckingham’s second album with Fleetwood Mac, Rumours, was released in 1977 and has sold over 45 million copies worldwide, making it one of the nine bestselling albums of all time. It won Album of the Year at the 1978 Grammy Awards, containing “Go Your Own Way,” written by Buckingham, and “The Chain,”