BMG and the Albert family have reached agreement for BMG to acquire the 131-year-old Australian music publishing and recording company, J Albert & Son Pty Ltd, better known as Alberts.
Alberts has published songs and released records from many of the greatest names in Australian music including The Easybeats and their songwriters Harry Vanda, George Young and Stevie Wright, AC/DC, John Paul Young, Rose Tattoo and a roster of contemporary writers including Montaigne, Megan Washington, Brendan Gallagher, Josh Pyke, Urthboy, The Cat Empire and San Cisco.
Megan Washington
Alberts will now form part of BMG Australia, the Sydney-based operation of BMG launched just three months ago, which has already signed key contemporary Australian talent such as Peking Duk, Wolfmother, LDRU, The Living End’s Chris Cheney and Wave Racer.
Alberts CEO David Albert said, “This was a difficult decision to make, but as music grapples with its digital future, with new distribution models and the influence of global technology companies, we believe BMG is in the best position to take the business forward. BMG has a global presence, an artist-friendly approach to business and a genuine desire to invest in and support the Australian music scene.”
BMG Australia managing director Heath Johns will run the newly-enlarged company, which will take on a number of the Alberts team.
BMG Australia managing director Heath Johns
Over the past five years, BMG and Alberts have developed a strong working relationship, with Alberts representing much of the BMG catalogue in Australia and BMG acting as Alberts’ sub-publisher in various territories in Europe.
The Albert family will retain their interests in the catalogues of AC/DC and Vanda, Young & Wright given their long-standing relationships. BMG will administer the music publishing catalogues worldwide on behalf of the family.
Alberts chairman Robert Albert said of the retained catalogue: “These songwriters were an integral part of my late brother Ted Albert’s vision to take Australia’s music to the world. Retaining these catalogues will allow us to stay connected with an industry that has been an integral part of our lives for the last 131 years. The family will also continue to maintain its lifelong connection with music through our philanthropy, which is focused on achieving positive outcomes through music.”