Yes have offered the rights to their recorded music catalogue beneath Atlantic Records – comprising their first 12 studio albums, in addition to numerous stay recordings and compilation albums – to Warner Music Group (WMG).
As reported by Variety, the legendary prog-rockers’ deal comprised a complete of 29 albums. It spans all of their studio efforts from 1969’s self-titled debut by to 1987’s ‘Big Generator’, in addition to stay albums like ‘Yesterdays’ (1975) and ‘Yesstory’ (1992), and a handful of compilations like ‘Highlights: The Very Best of Yes’ (1993) and ‘Yes Remixes’ (2003).
In a press release, the band mentioned of the event: “The entire Yes family came together and worked enthusiastically with Warner Music Group to secure this historic deal, ensuring that these iconic recordings will continue to be curated in the optimum manner to delight their fans across more than five decades, while also finding and developing new audiences for this timeless music.”
The pleasure was echoed by WMG’s president of worldwide catalogue, Kevin Gore, who mentioned: “My introduction to Yes came while working at a record store in Ohio in 1983. I’ve been a fan ever since and we’re absolutely thrilled and deeply honored that the strong relationship between Yes and Warner Music will continue forever.”
WMG’s acquisition of Yes’ Atlantic catalogue follows comparable offers with the property of David Bowie and 300 Entertainment (the label dwelling to names like Young Thug, Megan Thee Stallion and Waterparks). The firm’s different latest headlines embrace their transfer to scrap unrecouped money owed for heritage artists, and the historic launch of a fan-powered royalties system.
Last May, longstanding Yes drummer Alan White died on the age of 72, following his battle with a “brief illness”. White joined the band in 1972 and carried out with them frequently till his passing.