Yesterday, Oct. 2, Pink Floyd reportedly became the latest rock titans to sell off their recorded catalog in a massive multi-million dollar deal. In the culmination of a years-long struggle over the high-value discography, the Financial Times reported that the progressive rock innovators had finally arrived at a deal with Sony Music for roughly $400 million, per two contacts close to the deal.
The exchange reportedly includes the rights to the band’s recorded music, name and likenesses, but not to their songwriting or publishing. This would enable Sony to merchandise the property or potentially launch film and television depictions. Since the story broke, neither Sony, David Gilmour nor Roger Waters have made any public statement confirming the sale.
Similar high-profile deals have become an industry standard in the past few years, with acts like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen–who recently fetched $500 million with Sony–trading off their recorded music to various labels and music investment funds. In June, Variety reported that Queen’s catalog and likeness had been acquired by Sony for a staggering $1.27 billion, in a complex deal estimated to be the largest of its kind.
Pink Floyd have been seeking to sell their recording rights since at least 2022, when the band’s early attempts to offload the catalog–then estimated by FT at $500 million–were halted as Waters’ widely publicized controversial comments and unfounded accusations regarding geopolitical crises gave at least one prospective buyer “cold feet,” according to Variety. This spurred yet another bout of bitter infighting between the band’s frontmen, and just weeks ago Gilmour shared with Rolling Stone that “to be rid of the decision-making and the arguments” would be a “dream.” He continued with clarification that closing the deal was not about the financial windfall, but rather “getting out of the mud bath that it has been for quite a while.”
Gilmour is currently on his first tour in eight years, supporting the release of his new solo album Luck and Strange. The artist will take the stage next at London’s hallowed Royal Albert Hall for six shows from Oct. 9 to Oct. 25, then jet to Los Angeles for three shows at the Hollywood Bowl from Oct. 29 to 31, then wrap up his run with a five-night residency at New York’s Madison Square Garden from Nov. 4 to Nov. 10. For tickets and more information on the tour, visit davidgilmour.com/tour.
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