Sting is reportedly in advanced talks to sell his extensive song catalogue for a hefty sum of £210million ($250million).
According to Variety, the deal is said to have been ‘dragging on for several months’, with Universal Music Publishing currently in the lead.
It is stated that although Universal may lead the charge in this regard, Sting’s back catalogue could remain at Sony Music Publishing.
Is Sting selling? Sting is reportedly in advanced talks to sell his extensive song catalogue for a hefty sum of £210million ($250million) (pictured in 2019)
While a source is said to have told Variety that ‘a portion of the recorded-music rights to Sting’s solo material is included in the deal’, though they were unable to clarify at the time.
MailOnline has reached out to Sony Music, Universal Music Publishing, and Sting representatives for clarification.
The musician, 70 – real name Gordon Sumner – has had an illustrious career spanning 50 years and boasts an impressive catalogue with hits including Roxanne, Every Breath You Take and Shape Of My Heart.
Sting is one of the most successful artists in the world, with over 100 million albums sold worldwide, while he’s bagged 17 Grammy Awards as well as an Ivor Novello award.
In the pipeline: According to Variety , the deal is said to have been ‘dragging on for several months’, with Universal Music Publishing currently in the lead (Sting pictured in October)
In 2003, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, while he’s released five studio albums with the Police and his 14th solo studio album, The Bridge, is set to come out on Friday.
This alleged agreement with Sting is seven months after Paul Simon’s entire music collection was sold in an arrangement with Sony Music Publishing.
The 80-year-old rocker’s deal covers over six decades worth of music from Simon & Garfunkel hits such as Bridge Over Troubled Water to solo tracks such as 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover.
While the amount of the agreement is not disclosed, Simon said that he is happy to have Sony act as the “custodian” of his songs in the future.
He stated, “It feels natural to work with the Publishing side of my career. I started my career at Columbia/Sony Records.”
The star’s back catalogue includes a plethora of solo hits and songs from his partnership with Art Garfunkel including The Sound Of Silence, The Boxer, Mrs Robinson, You Can Call Me Al and Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard.
Paul was one of many music musicians to have handed their publishing rights to record labels.
Neil Young sold 50% of his catalogue Hipgnosis Songs Fund for approximately $150m (£109m) in January this year.
While Bob Dylan earned almost $400m (£290m) after selling his songs to Universal Music.
Stevie Nicks (and Debbie Harry) are some of the other major names who have traded their future royalties in exchange for large sums.
Sting also paid respect to the passing of a former student.
Sting, who was a teacher prior to his fame as a member of The Police, expressed sadness at the passing of Kevin Anderson.
He was his teacher at Cramlington Northumberland. The musician taught him and, earlier in the year, he took to social media for his sorrow.
New deal: The alleged deal with Sting comes seven months after Paul Simon, 80, sold his entire music collection in a deal with Sony Music Publishing (pictured in 2018)
On his passing, he said that he was a wonderful lad full of hope and joy.
Addition: “I loved all the kids but Kevin was my favorite. He had a heart made of pure gold and an extra special place in my heart.”
The picture was a collection of Kevin pictures, one being a boy and another of them meeting again backstage during one of their shows.
Kevin was even included in the autobiography of rock star Kevin, who recalled his time as a teacher living in the north east.
He stated that he remembered Kevin pretending to be his mother and he used to sing high-pitched voices to attend school.
Sting ended his tribute with the words: “I’m totally gutted. I still think about Kev, a cheeky wee boy, and I can’t believe it’s over.”
God bless you son. May your soul rest in peace. ‘Mr Sumner.’
Sadness: Sting recently paid tribute to former pupil Kevin Anderson who recently died – the pair pictured backstage with the star who taught him when he was a teacher in the Northeast