Linda Ronstadt Sells Catalog of Music Assets to Irving Azoff’s Iconic Artists Group

Iconic Artists Group, the new venture from music mogul Irving Azoff, has acquired the catalog and music assets of singer/songwriting trailblazer Linda Ronstadt, making Ronstadt the latest legendary music figure to strike such a deal for her decades of classic music.

“I’m very pleased about this partnership,” said Ronstadt in a statement about this deal. “It’s extremely gratifying to be in the company of Irving Azoff, his team, and his family of great artists, many of whom have been my friends and colleagues for years. It feels like home.”

This announcement comes on the heels of one from earlier in March, when the Iconic Artists Group made a similar acquisition of the works of David Crosby — including his output with the Byrds, CSN, CSNY and his solo career) — which itself came after the mid-February acquisition of the Beach Boys’ sound recordings, the brand, select musical compositions, and memorabilia.

Said Azoff of the acquisition of Linda Ronstadt’s music:

“In 1972 when I arrived in Los Angeles to pursue my dreams in the music business, as fate would have it, I soon thereafter became best friends and manager to Glenn Frey and Don Henley. Without Linda Ronstadt and John Boylan, there would have never been an Eagles. We were friends and family and grew up together, and what a ride it has been. The countless tours together with the Eagles and Linda and their collaborations are the backbone of the history of Southern California music. For Linda and John to entrust us with the honor of furthering her work is one of the most satisfying moments of my career. Linda’s talent is unparalleled, but her courage and commitment to make important music of many genres is her legacy. We will preserve that legacy for her at all costs. Thank you, Linda and John. We won’t let you down.” 

This deal between Ronstadt and the Iconic Artists Group is also noteworthy in that it comes on the heels of recent high-profile acquisitions involving the catalogs and repertoire of classic musical acts such as Bob Dylan (who sold his entire songwriting catalog for more than $300 million) and Mick Fleetwood (and, relatedly, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham individually).

Nicks sold 80 percent of her publishing rights to Primary Wave for around $80m last year.

Neil Young, meanwhile, also secured a deal with Hipgnosis for 50 percent of his catalog in early January.