Lindsey Buckingham has joined a growing list of famous musicians who have sold the rights to their music publishing.
The former Fleetwood Mac guitarist, singer and songwriter sold 100 percent of the rights to 161 songs he released with Fleetwood Mac and as a solo artist to British IP management company Hipgnosis Songs Fund, reports Music Business Worldwide. Additionally, Buckingham sold 50 percent of the rights to his unreleased material.
Hipgnosis had previously acquired a piece of Buckingham's publishing through its September buyout with Kobalt Music Copyright.
"Prior to arriving at an agreement with Hipgnosis, I had wonderful, long conversations with [Hipgnosis founder] Merck Mercuriadis," Buckingham said in a statement. "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."
Buckingham is the sole credited writer of Fleetwood Mac classics like "Never Going Back Again," "Go Your Own Way" and "Tusk," and he is credited as a co-writer on many more hits, including "The Chain." As a solo artist, Buckingham has earned several Top 20 hits and sold millions of albums worldwide.
"Lindsey Buckingham is one of the greatest guitarist, songwriters and producers of all time yet is still so underrated," Mercuriadis added in a statement. "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."
News of the sale of his publishing comes a year after Stevie Nicks sold 80 percent of her publishing rights to Primary Wave Music last year for a reported $80 million.
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