acquires Sorum’s publishing rights and recorded music catalogs and announces new publishing deal for future works
NEW YORK, July 26. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Reservoir Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSVR) (“Reservoir” or the “Company”), an award-winning independent music company, today announced a new agreement with member Rock and Matt Sorum. of the Roll Hall of Fame. The deal includes acquiring his catalogs of publishing rights and recorded music, as well as publishing rights to his future works.
Throughout his decades-long career, Sorum has been revered as the drummer providing the driving beat for countless legendary rock bands, including Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver and The Cult. In 1990, Guns N’ Roses lead guitarist Slash asked Sorum to take over as the band’s drummer until 1997. He took part in the recording and release of the double album Use your illusion I and Use Your Illusion II in 1991, and the band’s next album, The spaghetti incident, in 1993. These albums include iconic rock songs like “November Rain”, “Don’t Cry”, and covers of “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” and “Live and Let Die”, among others. Guns N’ Roses have sold over 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling bands in history. The band’s classic lineup, including Sorum, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.
In 1994, Sorum teamed up with rhythm guitarist Gilby Clarke of Slash and Guns N’ Roses to form Slash’s Snakepit. The band released their first album It’s five o’clock somewhere in 1995. He also joined The Cult from 1998 to 2001, supporting their touring efforts during those years.
During this time, Sorum also reunited with Slash and Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan, as well as Wasted Youth rhythm guitarist David Kushner and Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weilland to form their supergroup. American rock band, Velvet Revolver. In 2004 they released their widely acclaimed debut album Smuggling, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and the single “Slither” won the 2005 Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance. Velvet Revolver released their second album, Freedom, in 2007, which reached #5 on the Billboard 200.
Commenting on the deal, Sorum said, “I am very excited to enter into this relationship with Reservoir. It is gratifying to know how much the Reservoir team appreciates my work. I’m honored to have been a part of bands that have played such an important role in rock and roll history with catalogs that have stood the test of time. He added: “I want to thank the entire Reservoir team for helping to make it happen, especially Rell Lafargue and Jonathan Sturges. I also want to thank my attorney Marvin Katz who represented me in the transaction, as well as my fellow drummer and former president of Atlantic Records, Jerry Greenberg. I’m excited for what the future holds as I continue to create new music with Reservoir.
Rell Lafargue, President and COO of Reservoir, also said, “Matt is one of the most accomplished and celebrated drummers in rock and roll history. He contributed some of the best rock songs of all time that will continue to reach and inspire audiences for generations. It is an honor to bring his timeless catalog to Reservoir and continue to deepen its value.
In addition to Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver, The Cult, and Slash’s Snakepit, Sorum has worked with Tori Amos, members of Jane’s Addiction, Deep Purple, Def Leppard, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, Cheap Trick, and more. In May 2022, he released his autobiography titled “Double Talkin’ Jive: True Rock ‘n’ Roll Stories from the Drummer of Guns N’ Roses, The Cult, and Velvet Revolver”, detailing his incredible career with an honest look at the life. behind rock and roll.
ABOUT THE TANK
Reservoir is an independent music company based in New York and with offices in Los Angeles, Nashville, Toronto, London and Abu Dhabi. Reservoir is the first independent music company founded and led by a woman in the United States. #1 releases in the world. Reservoir holds a regular share of the Top 10 in the U.S. market according to Billboard’s Publishers Quarterly, was twice named Publisher of the Year by Music Business Worldwide’s A&R Awards, and won Independent Publisher of the Year at the Music Week Awards 2020 and 2022.
Reservoir also represents a wealth of music recorded through Chrysalis Records, Tommy Boy Records and Philly Groove Records and manages artists through its businesses with Blue Raincoat Music and Big Life Management.
Source: Reservoir Media, Inc.
