Primary Wave Acquires Hipgnosis Artwork Archive
Deal includes iconic album art tied to Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Queen and more
Primary Wave Music has acquired Aubrey “Po” Powell’s interests in the entire collection of legendary Hipgnosis album artwork.
Why it matters:
Founded in 1967 by Powell and Storm Thorgerson, British design studio Hipgnosis was responsible for some of music’s most iconic album covers for artists such as Bad Company, Pink Floyd, Styx, Black Sabbath, Queen, Def Leppard, Foreigner, AC/DC, and more.
The deal:
In addition to acquiring Powell’s interests, the deal also covers objects used in the creation of Hipgnosis’ art, such as the original model biplanes used in Pink Floyd’s “Point Me to the Sky” music video.
Primary Wave will collaborate with Po on global exhibitions of the Hipgnosis catalog, including never-before-seen pieces.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Don’t get confused with:
Merck Mercuriadis’ music rights and investment company, Hipgnosis.
As per Music Business Worldwide, before Thorgerson passed in 2013 he granted Mercuriadis the right to use the name for his Hipgnosis business.
What they said:
Lexi Todd, Primary Wave’s Deputy COO: “We’re beyond excited to partner with Po on one of the most influential visual catalogs in music history. This artwork did more than just accompany records; it shaped how generations of audiences experienced the music itself. Primary Wave looks forward to honoring that deep connection between sound and image by ensuring these iconic works continue to inspire music fans around the world.”
👋 Disclosures & Transparency Block
This story was written with information from Primary Wave’s press release and Music Business Worldwide.
We covered it because it’s news of a high-profile visual catalog acquisition.
