Independent music publisher Primary Wave has announced that it will acquire the work of Nuno Bettencourt, the guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer best known for his work with 90s hard rock band Extreme Known as a lead guitarist.
Primary Wave is acquiring Bettencourt’s publishing and management rights, as well as his recording rights, covering all of Extreme’s songs and Bettencourt’s solo work, in addition to Extreme’s 2023 album. six.
As part of the new partnership, Bettencourt will gain access to Primary Wave’s marketing team and publishing infrastructure, including digital strategy, licensing, synchronization, and film and television opportunities.
Primary Wave did not disclose the value of the deal.
Tracks on Extreme include There is a hole in the heart, rest in peace, decadent danceand its biggest hits, Thousands of wordsthe band’s third single from their 1991 album Porn graffiti.
The band reportedly struggled to get Thousands of words Released as a single, it proved worthwhile as the song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and led to Porn graffiti Reached the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart. Thousands of words Extreme received its first Grammy nomination.
The Boston-based band has sold more than Ten million Global album.
“After getting to know…the Primary Wave team and seeing their passion, work ethic and creative ideas, I’m excited to now be entering into an even greater partnership with them,” Bettencourt said in a statement. “I Looking forward to continuing[ing] Build my song catalog into new areas of activity.
Adam Lowenberg, Chief Marketing Officer of Primary Wave, added: “I’m extremely excited to have Nuno join the Primary Wave family. He is one of the greatest guitarists and songwriters in the history of rock music and one of my personal favorite musicians. We Can’t wait to delve into this catalog and remind new and old fans of its greatness.
“I look forward to continuing[ing] Build my song catalog into new areas of activity.
Nuno Bettencourt
In the decades since Extreme’s rise to fame, Betancourt has collaborated with a host of musicians, singing for the likes of Steven Tyler, Janet Jackson, Rihanna, Perry Farrell and Steve Perry Play guitar.
Bettencourt released his first solo album, Schizophonic, in 1997, and formed the band Mourning Widows in 1998, which released two albums before the band disbanded.
In 2006, Bettencourt collaborated with Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction on a project with Betancourt as the lead guitarist. Since 2009, he has been the guitarist for R&B artist Rihanna on four of her world tours.
In 2014, he joined the supergroup Kings of Chaos, which also includes Guns n’ Roses’ Matt Sorum, Gilby Clarke and Duff McKagan, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, ZZ TOP’s Billy Gibbons and Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander .
Extreme returns in 2023 with the release of sixThe album topped five different Billboard charts, including Top Hard Rock Album (No. 2) and Top Current Album Sales (No. 10). The video for the album’s lead single, riseAlmost 5000000 Views on YouTube.
“We can’t wait to dive deeper into this catalog and remind fans old and new of just how great it is.”
Adam Loberg, “Elementary Wave”
The deal with Bettencourt is just one of many the Primary Wave has struck so far this year. Others include a publishing partnership with ’90s alternative rock band The Spin Doctors; a music rights deal with Crowded House’s Neil Finn; a stake in Neil Sedaka’s catalog; and a YMCA honorary Transaction of catalog and other rights.
Also this year, Primary Wave entered the Brazilian music scene and held in cloud directorya music copyright company, itself modeled after Primary Wave.global music business
