beatlz
Apr 16, 2003, 08:02 AM
Former Beatle Buys Rights to Perkins' Songs
1 hour, 32 minutes ago
JACKSON, Tenn. - Former Beatle Paul McCartney (news) has purchased the rights to Carl Perkins' early song catalog, a deal expected to get "Blue Suede Shoes" and other rock 'n' roll classics more exposure.
"It's a real good opportunity for them and for getting Dad's music kept alive," Perkins' daughter, Debbie Swift, said of the deal announced Friday.
The Perkins family still owns the songs. The agreement creates a partnership between McCartney's MPL Communications and the +Perkins+ catalog that can generate income for both parties, Swift said, with the larger percentage going to the family. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Perkins is considered one of the most influential singer-songwriters of his era, penning hits for Johnny Cash (news) ("Daddy Sang Bass"), Patsy Cline (news) ("I Was So Wrong"), the Judds ("Let Me Tell You About Love") and Elvis Presley (news). Presley's "Blue Suede Shoes" became a bigger hit than +Perkins+' own version.
In the Beatles' early years, the band played Perkins' music in their live shows. The band also recorded several Perkins songs on early albums — including "Honey Don't," "Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby" and "Matchbox." McCartney also included "Matchbox" on a recent live DVD release.
"Carl Perkins was one of my earliest influences; I am quite simply a fan of his," McCartney said in a statement released last week.
The previous administrator of +Perkins+' music didn't do much to get the songs placed in movies, television and radio, Swift said. When the family considered renewing its administration contract, McCartney called Swift's brother Stan Perkins to initiate negotiations.
Several companies offered to buy the rights, said Ralph Gordon, a Perkins family attorney.
"But the family wanted someone who would exploit the catalog in a positive manner," he said. "Because Paul was such a fan, they went with his company even though others offered more money."
McCartney also owns the rights to the catalogs of Buddy Holly (news) and Broadway songwriters Jerry Herman, Frank Loesser and Meredith Wilson.
+Perkins+, who lived in Jackson, died in 1998 at age 65.
The deal includes all of +Perkins+' Sun Records recordings, which Perkins fought for in the 1970s in a long legal battle with Sun pioneer Sam Phillips (news).
Swift wouldn't say what the deal was worth, but said it's nowhere near the rumored $10 million to $12 million she's heard mentioned at Suede's, the Perkins-themed restaurant she owns with her husband, Bart Swift.
"If that were true, I wouldn't be standing here slinging hash right now," she said.
1 hour, 32 minutes ago
JACKSON, Tenn. - Former Beatle Paul McCartney (news) has purchased the rights to Carl Perkins' early song catalog, a deal expected to get "Blue Suede Shoes" and other rock 'n' roll classics more exposure.
"It's a real good opportunity for them and for getting Dad's music kept alive," Perkins' daughter, Debbie Swift, said of the deal announced Friday.
The Perkins family still owns the songs. The agreement creates a partnership between McCartney's MPL Communications and the +Perkins+ catalog that can generate income for both parties, Swift said, with the larger percentage going to the family. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Perkins is considered one of the most influential singer-songwriters of his era, penning hits for Johnny Cash (news) ("Daddy Sang Bass"), Patsy Cline (news) ("I Was So Wrong"), the Judds ("Let Me Tell You About Love") and Elvis Presley (news). Presley's "Blue Suede Shoes" became a bigger hit than +Perkins+' own version.
In the Beatles' early years, the band played Perkins' music in their live shows. The band also recorded several Perkins songs on early albums — including "Honey Don't," "Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby" and "Matchbox." McCartney also included "Matchbox" on a recent live DVD release.
"Carl Perkins was one of my earliest influences; I am quite simply a fan of his," McCartney said in a statement released last week.
The previous administrator of +Perkins+' music didn't do much to get the songs placed in movies, television and radio, Swift said. When the family considered renewing its administration contract, McCartney called Swift's brother Stan Perkins to initiate negotiations.
Several companies offered to buy the rights, said Ralph Gordon, a Perkins family attorney.
"But the family wanted someone who would exploit the catalog in a positive manner," he said. "Because Paul was such a fan, they went with his company even though others offered more money."
McCartney also owns the rights to the catalogs of Buddy Holly (news) and Broadway songwriters Jerry Herman, Frank Loesser and Meredith Wilson.
+Perkins+, who lived in Jackson, died in 1998 at age 65.
The deal includes all of +Perkins+' Sun Records recordings, which Perkins fought for in the 1970s in a long legal battle with Sun pioneer Sam Phillips (news).
Swift wouldn't say what the deal was worth, but said it's nowhere near the rumored $10 million to $12 million she's heard mentioned at Suede's, the Perkins-themed restaurant she owns with her husband, Bart Swift.
"If that were true, I wouldn't be standing here slinging hash right now," she said.