Rod Stewart Sells Catalog in 9-Figure Deal

Rod Stewart is the latest to sell his music catalog in a massive deal that includes name and likeness rights.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Stewart sold his catalog to Irving Azoff's Iconic Artists Group. The price of the deal is $100 million. The current list of artists with catalog deals with Azoff's company includes Cher, Joe Cocker, Linda Ronstadt, David Crosby, Graham Nash and Stephen Stills.

Stewart said in a brief email statement, "Irving and I are a couple of old-timers, and I believe we have a mutual respect and admiration for each other. My life’s work is in safe hands with him."

In June 2023, Billboard reported Stewart was close to a catalog deal with Hipgnosis. Sale talks went on for two years, only for Stewart to back out. At the time, he said of his decision, "This catalog represents my life’s work. And it’s become abundantly clear after much time and due diligence that this was not the right company to manage my song catalog, career or legacy."

WSJ notes this purchase from Iconic Artists Group comes as the company has raised more than $1 billion in capital. This capital was raised for future catalog investments. In other words, Iconic Artists Group is likely going to do some big catalog shopping in 2024 and beyond.

That potential shopping could include purchasing a stake in the Led Zeppelin catalog. In July 2023, a 10% stake in the Zeppelin catalog went up for sale. The stake is currently owned by Helen Grant, the daughter of the band's former manager Peter Grant. New Media Law's Ian Penman told Music Business Worldwide that Iconic Artists Group was among the candidates attempting to buy the stake.

In addition to owning the 10% stake, Peter Grant also had a 20% ownership stake in all of Zeppelin's companies, too. Penman explained this was a big deal, because it meant trademarks were up for grabs.

"It includes the name," said Penman. "The name, Led Zeppelin, is owned by a company that Helen co-owns."

Queen Elizabeth II recognized many individuals with honors of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. During her legendary reign as Queen, she knighted a number of popular musicians.

Here is a brief explainer on the various levels of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Per the U.K.'s official Honours System website, the following are the five title distinctions in order of importance the British Monarchy can bestow upon individuals for their non-combative contributions to the U.K.:

-Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE): "Achievement or service in and to the community which is outstanding in its field and has delivered sustained and real impact which stands out as an example to others."

-Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE): "Distinguished regional or county-wide role in any field, through achievement or service to the community including notable practitioners known nationally."

-Commander of the British Empire (CBE): "A prominent national role of a lesser degree, a conspicuous leading role in regional affairs through achievement or service to the community, or a highly distinguished, innovative contribution in his or her area of activity."

-Damehood/Knighthood (DBE/KBE): "A pre-eminent contribution in any field of activity (usually, but not exclusively, at national level), or in a capacity which will be recognized by peer groups as inspirational and significant nationally and demonstrates sustained commitment."

-Dame/Knight Grand Cross (GBE): "Grand Cross is the highest class in many of the Orders."

Typically, the head monarch will unveil these honors as part of every New Year. Additionally, their birthday also serves as a time to unveil new additions to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. People can be nominated via a special form.

With those definitions and information in mind, here are 13 iconic musicians knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.