peermusic Acquires Catalogue of Canadian Music Hall of Fame Inductee, Corey Hart

Toronto, Canada (March 23, 2023) – peermusic has completed an acquisition of the music publishing catalogue of Canadian Hall of Fame inductee, artist and songwriter Corey Hart, as announced today by Kathy Spanberger, President & Chief Operating Officer, peermusic Anglo American Region and Neville Quinlan, Managing Director, peermusic Canada. The new acquisition deal encompasses the publishing copyrights for Hart’s entire music catalogue consisting of over 200 songs. peermusic had previously established an administration deal with Hart in 2019, marking the first time Hart agreed to a global publishing deal that included his native Canada. peermusic will also now represent Corey Hart for neighbouring rights via its peermusic neighbouring rights division. 

In 2019, Hart was given the highest honour a musician in Canada can receive by being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at the 2019 JUNO Awards. The award-winning artist has sold over 16 million records worldwide highlighted by 9 US Billboard Top 40 Hits. His tracks also scored an impressive 32 top 40 singles in Canada, including 12 Top10 Hits. The Canadian music legend is a Grammy nominee as well as an ASCAP, JUNO and multiple Quebec ADISQ award winner. 

“Corey Hart is an industry icon whose songwriting and recordings have helped shape the sound of a generation,” said Kathy Spanberger. “peermusic is thrilled to provide a home to his impressive collection of work and looks forward to continuing our wonderful partnership.” 

“We’re thrilled to embark on this next chapter with Corey Hart,” said Neville Quinlan. “He is an extremely talented artist and songwriter, and we’re honoured that he is entrusting us with his catalogue. This was the logical next step in our relationship, and we’re excited to continue championing his incredible work.”

“I’m delighted this acquisition deal will further serve to strengthen my existing partnership with peermusic,” said Corey Hart. “Under Kathy Spanberger’s stewardship my music repertoire will be honorably curated and managed for decades to come. In 2018, I met with several prominent LA music companies but ultimately signed with peermusic because it was clear to me that their hands-on, integrity driven leadership style epitomized the business values I had always been looking for in an international music publishing company. Peermusic has assembled a dedicated and talented creative team worldwide and I’m particularly excited that the “lesser” known Corey Hart songs will finally have an opportunity to shine.” 

Hart’s illustrious music career got its nascent beginnings when he recorded with Paul Anka at the tender age of 11 but it wasn’t until 1981 after he caught the ear of Billy Joel’s saxophone player who invited Hart to record with core members of the Billy Joel Band, that Hart’s career path finally took shape. 

In 1983, he released his debut album First Offense, featuring the iconic hit “Sunglasses at Night.” which launched Corey Hart into superstardom. His sophomore LP Boy In The Box, achieved Diamond certification faster than any other Canadian artist in history. The album produced 4 hit singles, including the classic anthem “Never Surrender,” which spent 9 weeks at number 1 in Canada and won Single of the Year at the 1985 JUNO Awards. 

In 1999, Hart stepped away from recording and touring to focus his energies on his four children and wife, Quebec chanteuse Julie Masse. Despite the hiatus, Hart wrote and produced several songs for fellow Canadian superstar Céline Dion. 

 In 2003, Sire Records President Seymour Stein spearheaded a joint label venture called Siena Records with Hart and Warner Music Canada where Corey continued to write and produce material for other artists.

In 2014, after a 12-year gap from live performing, Hart made a successful comeback in his hometown at a sold out Montreal Bell Centre Arena with a marathon set called “One Night – Three Decades Of Music”. 

In 2019, following a 20 year absence from the spotlight, Hart recorded a 5 song studio EP, Dreaming Time Again, produced by the legendary Bob Ezrin and embarked on a major arena tour across Canada, his first since the 1980s.

Hart was represented in the deal by John Frankeheimer from Loeb & Loeb LLP. 

ABOUT PEERMUSIC: Founded by Ralph S. Peer in 1928, peermusic is the world’s largest global independent music publishing and neighbouring rights administration company, operating from 38 offices in 31 countries. With well over a million titles owned or administered by the company, and with a neighbouring rights roster encompassing over 300 record labels and more than 2,500 performers, peermusic is the largest privately owned company of its kind in the world. For further information about peermusic, go to www.peermusic.com. For breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos, follow @peermusic on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat

 

PEERMUSIC MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Glenn
hglenn@blackmarketcreative.com
310.765.1927 x707