Mick Jagger comments on Vivdendi Universal Music Group's purchase of EMI
Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger has released a statement about Vivendi Universal Music Group's purchase of the EMI record label for £1.6 bllion (or $2.6 billion). The deal was announced on November 11, 2011.
Jagger commented: "For me, as an Englishman, EMI was the pre-eminent music company that I grew up with. Universal is committed to both preserving EMI's cultural heritage and artistic diversity and also investing in its artists and people to grow the company's assets for the future."
The Rolling Stones signed to Universal Music in 2008. The band had previously been signed to EMI from 1991 to 2008. The soundtrack to the concert film "Shine a Light" was the Rolling Stones' first official new release under the Rolling Stones' deal with Universal.
EMI, Universal, ABKCO and other record companies have reissued and repackaged various Rolling Stones albums.
EMI's most famous artists that are still affiliated with the record company include the Beatles, Pink Floyd and Coldplay.
In a separate deal, EMI Music Publishing has been bought by a Sony-led consortium for £1.4 billion (or $2.2 billion).
Mick Jagger at the SuperHeavy record release party in New York City, on September 21, 2011