Santa Monica, CA - Neil Diamond, one of the world’s premiere recording artists, internationally renowned and record-breaking concert performer and revered songwriter, has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing administration agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), it was announced today by Universal Music Group (UMG) Chairman & CEO Lucian Grainge, and Evan Lamberg, UMPG President, North America.
Through the deal, UMPG will represent Neil Diamond’s songs for synchronization in film, TV, advertising, games and other media, as well as provide global copyright administration of his entire back catalog and future works during the term,including his highly anticipated new original studio album, MELODY ROAD, that will be released on October 21st via Capitol Records.
Earlier this year Diamond signed a historic contract with Capitol that united his complete Columbia, Uni/MCA and Bang recording catalogs for the first time, encompassing the artist’s entire body of work from throughout his career.
Grainge said, “It fills me with immense pride to now have Neil's entire publishing and recorded music catalogs both at Universal Music. Neil’s enduring popularity is a testament to his considerable talents as a performer and songwriter. We look forward to continuing to work with Neil and to maximize opportunities for him and his music on a global scale.”
“Neil is one of the greatest and most timeless songwriter-artists of any generation. He continues to write some of the very best songs of his career and we are extremely honored to have him join the Universal Music Publishing family,” said Lamberg. “We would also like to thank Steve Barnett and the entire Capitol Records team, as well as Neil’s manager and wife Katie McNeil Diamond, who will all be invaluable partners as we globally work his new music and catalog.”
Before he became one of the most successful recording artists in the world, Neil Diamond’s earliest recognition came as a songwriter. He penned such Top 20 hits as “Sunday and Me” by Jay and the Americans, “I’m a Believer” and “A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You” by The Monkees, “I’ll Come Running” by Cliff Richard, and “The Boat the I Row” by British singer Lulu. As a solo artist, Diamond’s hits have included some of the most popular songs of all time such as “Solitary Man,” “Cherry, Cherry,” “Girl, You’ll be a Woman Soon,” “Thank the Lord for the Night Time,” “Kentucky Woman,” “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show,” “Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good),” “I Am…I Said,” “Holly Holy,” “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “Song Sung Blue,” “Soolaimon,” “Longfellow Serenade,” “If You Know What I Mean,” the monumental duet (with Barbra Streisand) “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” “September Morn,” and “Heartlight,” to name a few. His soundtrack album for the film “The Jazz Singer,” consisted of songs he performed and wrote or co-wrote -- including "Love on the Rocks,” “Hello Again,” and "America.” Diamond’s songs have also been covered by countless acts including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, and Smashmouth, among others. UB40’s version of Diamond’s “Red Red Wine” topped the charts in both the U.S. and U.K. His music is regularly featured in films, television shows and select ads, all a tribute to Diamond’s continuing popularity.
Throughout an illustrious and wide-ranging musical career, Neil Diamond has charted 37 Top 40 singles and 16 Top 10 albums in the U.S. His most recent original studio release, 2008’s Home Before Dark, debuted at #1 in the U.S. and the U.K. on the Billboard Top Albums chart. A Grammy Award-winning artist, Diamond is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame and a recipient of the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the highest honors bestowed upon songwriters. Diamond’s many other achievements include a Golden Globe Award, 13 Grammy nominations and 2009’s NARAS’s MusiCares Person of the Year award. In 2011, Diamond received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor for his lifetime of contributions to American culture.
