UMPG Forges Pact For Joy Division Catalog
February 26, 2007
- Global
| Publishing
 |
| JOY DIVISION |
By Lars Brandle, London
Universal Music Publishing Group has struck a long-term, worldwide deal to administer the catalog of Joy Division, the legendary post-punk group which later evolved into New Order.
The exclusive agreement represents the band's works, including such copyrights as the 1980 U.K. Top 20 hit "Love Will Tear Us Apart," "Atmosphere" and "She's Lost Control," which were penned by Peter Hook, Stephen Morris, Bernard Sumner and late frontman Ian Curtis, who committed suicide in May 1980. The pact also covers the two songs ("Ceremony" and "In a Lonely Place") which made up New Order's first single. The songs were previously administered by Zomba Music Publishing.
UMPG says it is determined to "aggressively promote" the catalog for synchronization licensing for film, TV, and advertising.
The agreement, unveiled today, coincides with the thirtieth anniversary of Joy Division's formation (initially as Warsaw) in Manchester, north west England. The band released two studio albums, "Unknown Pleasures" (1979) and "Closer" (1980). The latter appeared two months after Curtis' death, and was followed by a posthumous compilation of rare/unreleased recordings, "Still" (1981). The three albums appeared on the now-defunct Manchester independent label Factory Records.
"We're very proud to represent such a landmark catalog, and look forward to making it even more popular in future," comments Paul Connolly, president, Europe, and managing director, U.K., for Universal Music Publishing Group.
Curtis is to be the focus of a biographical film "Control," which will be released this September by Momentum Pictures. "Control" is directed by music photographer Anton Corbijn, and is based on the book "Touching from a Distance," written by Curtis' widow Deborah.
"With the release of a major feature film, documentary and associated albums," comments Rebecca Boulton of Prime Management, which represents Joy Division and New Order, "2007 is going to be a huge year for Joy Division."
|
