Universal snaps up slice of rock’n’roll history

Universal has bought a slice of rock’n’roll history as the music giant made a trio of acquisitions, including the label behind Elvis Costello’s early hits.

The US group delved into hits of the Seventies and Eighties to buy British label ZTT’s entire catalogue, parts of Stiff Records and music publisher Perfect Songs from SPZ Songs for an undisclosed sum.

Stiff Records, which emerged from London’s Seventies pub rock scene, spawned Dury, Elvis Costello and Madness.

ZTT was behind hits for Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Grace Jones and 808 State while Perfect’s catalogue includes Little Mix and Ian Brown.

ZTT was set up by producer and SPZ founder Trevor Horn, businesswoman Jill Sinclair and ex-NME journalist Paul Morley. Industry veteran Horn founded Stiff in the Seventies and revived it in 2007.

The move comes as music rights and back catalogues become increasingly lucrative amid the boom in streaming, reviving older music into new hits.

Vivendi-owned Universal’s British boss Lucian Grainge said: “Stiff and ZTT are truly unique and iconic labels that captured the zeitgeist of their generation and experienced great commercial success, whilst influencing contemporary music entirely on their own terms. With Perfect Songs, we are adding an award-winning publishing catalogue, rich with hits, acclaim and global success. UMG is committed to building upon the legacy of these revolutionary labels, in keeping with the spirit of their founders.”

Horn said: “Jill started Perfect Songs and ZTT in the 80’s and I’m extremely proud of what she achieved. Lucian Grange and Jill were really good friends so I’m pleased that these catalogues are going to Universal.”