Get Your Wallets Out Again

[pxr5]

Seen at TRF:

An announcement made at AXPONA 2026 indicates that the band's classic catalog should receive premium editions between 2026 and 2028, including possible One-Step versions, double 45 rpm records, and SACDs.

https://rushbrasil.com/en/rush-ganha-vinis-de-luxo/

[Thenop]

Before people shout: cashgrab! It is, but not by the band.
Note: Anthem Entertainment is NOT the company that used be owned by the band and Danniels. It is the new name of Ole Entertainment, they cleverly changed that into this new entity.

Gemini tells us:

In the music business, catalog buyouts are complex, but for a band like Rush, the general rule is that they exchanged future royalty checks for a massive immediate payout.

Here is how the money typically flows for reissued back catalog items:
Proceeds go to the New Owner: Because Anthem Entertainment (formerly ole) now owns the publishing and recorded music rights, they collect the "publisher's share" of proceeds from physical sales, digital streams, and sync licensing for reissued items.

The Band's "Writer's Share": Under standard industry practices, even if a band sells their publishing, the individual songwriters (Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and the estate of Neil Peart) usually retain their "writer's share." This means they may still receive a portion (often 50%) of the performance royalties whenever those reissued songs are played on the radio or in public.

The Buyout Advantage: The $25 million the band received in 2014 was effectively an advance on decades of future earnings. They "made their money" upfront rather than waiting to collect small royalty checks over the next 30 to 40 years.
Consulting and Creative Input: Although they sold the rights, the band (and their longtime manager Ray Danniels) maintained a relationship with the new owners. For major reissues, they are often involved as consultants or to provide "special edition" content, which can involve separate service fees or agreements.

Ultimately, while the bulk of new profits from a reissue goes to the company that took the financial risk of buying the catalog, the band members are already "paid up" from the initial sale.

[Slim]

I've just read what "one-step" means. Absolutely ridiculous, but by the way so is SACD.

[The Picnic Wasp]

All for a fan group for the most part with rapidly ageing hearing.

[Thenop]

All for a fan group for the most part with rapidly ageing hearing.

And big checkbooks.

[captainkurtz]

I've got one steps of Marvin Gayes 'what's going on' and Bob Dylan's 'blood on the tracks'.  Bought them both when Covid first hit and I was bored.  They are both absolutely outstanding, just outstanding vinyl pressings that sound sublime.

That said, I'm not buying these.  Probably.  Well, maybe just Moving Pictures and Hemispheres.  And Permanent Waves, 2112 and Signals...

[Thenop]

I've got one steps of Marvin Gayes 'what's going on' and Bob Dylan's 'blood on the tracks'.  Bought them both when Covid first hit and I was bored.  They are both absolutely outstanding, just outstanding vinyl pressings that sound sublime.

That said, I'm not buying these.  Probably.  Well, maybe just Moving Pictures and Hemispheres.  And Permanent Waves, 2112 and Signals...

What about Power Windows? You can't go without PoW.

Edit: just read it's just the Mercury catalogue. Bummer.

[Slim]

Can't you get the same mastering in CD? Even more sublime and probably cheaper.

[captainkurtz]

I don't want to be that guy...but the vinyls of those I've mentioned there are definitely more nuanced than the CD's, imo.

I think the greatest sounding vinyl I have is a 45rpm of Rumours.  I've been listening to that since the 70's and I was floored when I heard it...

But, in all honesty, I like the process and effort needed to play records.  And they hold value well, too.

[Slim]

I don't want to be that guy...but the vinyls of those I've mentioned there are definitely more nuanced than the CD's, imo.

In that case the same masters aren't available for the CDs, which seems a shame.