Primary Wave music has acquired the rights of the Doors’ music publishing catalogue
Primary Wave Music has described this as a “monumental acquisition”
Image: Chris Walter/WireImage
Independent publisher primary, Primary Wave Music, has announced that it has acquired the rights of guitarist Robby Krieger, and the late keyboardist Ray Manzarek, which includes the Doors music publishing catalogue.
As well as this, Primary Wave Music also acquired the rights to all of the Doors’ recordings, trademarks, merchandise rights, and income. However it does not include the late Jim Morrison entities’ and drummer John Densmore’s interests.
Primary Wave Music has described this as a “monumental acquisition”, as they now own the rights to classic hits to Break on Through, Light My Fire, Hello, I Love You, People Are Strange, Riders on the Storm, and L.A. Woman.
However, the financial terms have not been disclosed.
“After 58 years, and the most magical of times, I’ve decided to sell my share of the Doors to Primary Wave,” says guitarist Robby Krieger. “This will enable me to help the many charities I’ve been involved with, and some new ones too. I know Primary Wave cares about music, art, and about helping legacies go to even bigger levels. Our longtime Doors manager Jeff Jampol will still be protecting our legacy in partnership with Primary Wave, so I’m comfortable and happy with the future of The Doors.”
“Ray and I spent a lot of time discussing the future of The Doors’ legacy, and how to handle things after he departed this plane,” Ray’s widow Dorothy Manzarek said in a statement. She continued: “Our family has worked patiently to find the right partners to continue Ray’s lifelong efforts in protecting and promoting his art, and now we are happy to have finally come to an agreement with Primary Wave. Under the continued guidance of our manager, Jeff Jampol, Primary Wave will be the right partners in this endeavor to build future generations of new Doors fans.”