Northern Songs
Publisher of the Lennon–McCartney song catalogue.
Northern Songs Ltd was a limited company founded in 1963 by music publisher Dick James, artist manager Brian Epstein, and songwriters John Lennon and Paul McCartney of the Beatles, to publish songs written by Lennon and McCartney. The company became a public entity in 1965 to reduce the income tax burden. After a series of ownership changes, including a sale to Britain's Associated Television (ATV) in 1969 and later acquisition by Michael Jackson in 1985, Northern Songs was dissolved in 1995 following a merger with Sony Corporation of America.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Pop, rock
- Fate
- Dissolved
- Successor
- Sony/ATV Music Publishing
- Founded
- Liverpool, England,
- Founder
- John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Brian Epstein, Dick James, and Charles Silver
- Defunct
- 1995-05-20
- Key People
- Michael Jackson / (acquired the company in the 1980s)
- Industry
- Music publishing
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Northern Songs was formed on 22 February 1963 after Dick James suggested to Brian Epstein that a company with Lennon, McCartney, and Epstein would earn more money. Lennon and McCartney each received a 20% share, Epstein 10%, and James and his partner Charles Silver 50%. George Martin was offered a share but declined due to a conflict of interest with EMI. The company also published early compositions by George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Profits from the UK were channelled into a second company, Lenmac Enterprises, owned by Lennon and McCartney at 40% each and NEMS at 20%.
Reader's Guide
Northern Songs is significant as the vehicle that controlled the publishing rights to the majority of songs written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, the core songwriting duo of the Beatles. Its creation and subsequent public offering in 1965 reflected the financial strategies of the era, particularly the desire to reduce income tax. The company's sale to ATV in 1969, without the Beatles' knowledge, marked a turning point in the band's business relationships and led to a protracted struggle for control. The eventual acquisition by Michael Jackson in 1985 and the merger with Sony in 1995 cemented the catalogue's place in modern music publishing history. Northern Songs' legacy lies in its role as the steward of one of the most valuable song catalogues in popular music, and its story illustrates the complexities of artist rights and corporate ownership.
Did You Know?
- George Martin was offered a share in Northern Songs but turned it down because his employment with EMI presented a conflict of interest.
- In 1965, shares in Northern Songs were offered at 66 pence each, though financial institutions scoffed at the price; the application lists closed within 60 seconds due to oversubscription.
- Dick James took out a life insurance policy of £500,000 on Lennon and McCartney to protect his interests.
- Michael Jackson purchased ATV Music in 1985 after McCartney had informed him about the financial value of music publishing.
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