Hipgnosis Songs has acquired the music catalogue of iconic singer/songwriter Chrissie Hynde.
With The Pretenders, Hynde wrote a catalogue of hits including Brass in Pocket, Talk of the Town, Message of Love, Back on the Chain Gang, Middle of the Road, 2000 Miles, Don’t Get Me Wrong, My Baby and the group's most streamed single I’ll Stand By You.
The Pretenders have in total released 11 albums including the recently-released Hate For Sale.
Chrissie is one of my favourite songwriters of all time and The Pretenders are one of my favourite bands of all time
Merck Mercuriadis, Hipgnosis Songs
Merck Mercuriadis, founder of Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited and The Family (Music) Limited, said: “This is very personal for me. Chrissie is one of my favourite songwriters of all time and The Pretenders are one of my favourite bands of all time. Her importance cannot be over estimated and she has been a powerful role model for women and men all over the globe for 40 years.
"I’m proud to say I have been a vegetarian, now vegan for 35 years thanks to the influence of Chrissie and as a result I have four grown children that have never had meat pass through them. That’s the power of great songs and music when combined with genuine integrity. She has this powerful effect on her audience which is why they remain so devoted and committed after 40 years and why new generations of fans are constantly attracted to her. I’m delighted to welcome her and her wonderful songs to the Hipgnosis family.”
The investment company for songs acquired LA-based Big Deal Music Group last week, following the appointments of Ted Cockle and Amy Thomson, as it continues its rapid growth strategy. Hipgnosis has acquired 100% of Hynde’s music publishing catalogue of 164 songs including publishing and writer’s share (PRS) from the Pretenders and her other projects.
Hynde was represented by manager Ian Grenfell at Quietus Management, lawyer Andrew Myers at Clintons and accountant Pat Savage at YMU.
The Pretenders' May 2020 tour was postponed due to Covid-19, with certain dates rescheduled to September 2021.
