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Bruce Springsteen Just Sold His Music Catalog for a Jaw-Dropping Amount

Legendary musician Bruce Springsteen has allegedly sold his music catalog for upwards of $500 million, which could be the most ever for a single artist. Supposedly, Sony Music has bought the rights to his masters along with his entire publishing catalog.

If confirmed, Sony’s purchase would top Universal buying Bob Dylan’s catalog for almost $400 million in December 2020. Sony Music’s deal with Bruce Springsteen has not been confirmed by the company yet. However, Billboard first reported the deal, and several sources told Variety that the deal is “done.”

Since 1972, “The Boss” has been signed to Sony Music’s Columbia Records. But he acquired the rights to his music catalog in the ’90s during contract renegotiations. Sony supposedly locked up a deal for his recorded music, but a bidding war between Sony and Universal for his publishing ensued last month. Reports initially stated a $350 million price tag, but the battle for his music heated up and raised the price.

Springsteen’s catalog includes several multiplatinum-selling albums, including 1975’s Born To Run, 1978’s Darkness on the Edge of Town, and 1984’s Born in the U.S.A. The rights to his music and publishing will also include more than 300 songs, 20 studio albums, and 23 live LPs.

The iconic musician from New Jersey is well-known as one of the most popular acts in all music over the last five decades. Per to the RIAA, he’s sold more than 65 million records in the U.S. alone during his career. Billboard estimates that Bruce Springsteen’s masters brought in $15 million last year alone in 2020. Additionally, the outlet says his publishing earns $7.5 million each year.

Bruce Springsteen Releases Epic 1979 ‘No Nukes’ Concert Film and Album

Just last month, Bruce Springsteen blessed his fans with a rare concert film and live album. In mid-November, and for the first time ever, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s famous 1979 set from the “No Nukes” concerts at New York City’s Madison Square Garden was released in full.

Until last month’s release, only one song from Springsteen’s iconic performance had ever come out. Sony Music Entertainment worked with Sony Pictures to release the entire concert footage and audio. Fans finally got to see the band’s 13-song setlist in its entirety when The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts debuted.

Springsteen’s longtime manager Jon Landau spoke about the film to Variety. He said the film is the “greatest” example of Springsteen’s band in the ’70s that may ever release.

“The Seventies were a golden period in the history of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. And the Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts is the greatest document of that era we will ever have,” Landau explained. “It’s a pure rock show from beginning to end. The energy level is transcendent, and the mastery of the art and the craft of rock music is awe-inspiring.”