It has been 22 years since Beatle George Harrison died at the age of 58 as a result of lung cancer and for the first time Harrison’s solo music catalog is housed under a single label thanks to a new agreement at Dark Horse Records/BMG.
This year marks Harrison’s 80th birthday and in celebration, Dark Horse has released the entire catalog exclusively on Apple Music.
That catalog features12 studio albums including his debut “Wonderwall Music”, the chart topping album that went seven times platinum “All Things Must Pass” which includes “My Sweet Lord”, “Living in the Material World” which includes “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth), “Cloud Nine”, “Brainwashed”, a double “Live” album, and four compilation albums.
Last year BMG entered into a global publishing agreement with Harrison’s estate for the catalog that includes over 200 songs written while with the Beatles, the Traveling Wilburys, and as a solo artist. The new agreement extends that previous agreement.
Harrison’s son Dhani spoke on his father’s music saying, 22 years since his passing, for what would have been his 80th birthday, I am overjoyed to announce that we are bringing my father’s music catalogue back home to Dark Horse Records, the company he started back in 1974. We look forward to releasing only the finest of packages and hope the fans join us on the deepest of dives into our archives as we continue to grow his legacy through our partnership with BMG, starting with the release of his entire back catalog in Spatial Audio, for the first time, on Apple Music. We also will be using this opportunity to make all the custom limited vinyl that we can get away with. Happy 80th Dad!!! We love you always.”
BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch added, “this is a banner day for BMG, bringing together for the first time the song and recorded rights of one of the greatest musicians in popular music history under one roof. Only BMG can do this. We look forward to working with the George Harrison Estate and Dark Horse Records to promote George’s peerless music to generations old and new.”
BMG President of Repertoire & Marketing also spoke on the new agreement saying, “for years we have had an amazing partnership with Dhani and David that continues to grow to this day. What began as working with Dhani on his own albums and publishing, to the re-launch and expansion of the Dark Horse Records business, together we believe in providing white glove service for artists, globally, with enormous opportunities to grow. We are proud to bring all of George Harrison’s music together, under one roof, and are very grateful for Olivia and Dhani’s trust in BMG.”
Feature photo credit: George-Harrison-playing.jpg