David Crosby has sold his music catalog to famed music executive Irving Azoff’s new venture Iconic Artists Group. The singer-songwriter inked the deal for an undisclosed sum. It includes the recorded music and publishing rights to his entire catalog, including his solo work, his work with the Byrds, Crosby & Nash, CSN, and CSNY. “Given our current inability to work live, this deal is a blessing for me and my family and I do believe these are the best people to do it with,” he said in a press release.
“I’ve known David as a friend and have admired him as a great artist since our earliest days at Geffen Roberts Management shortly after I moved to Los Angeles,” Azoff wrote in a statement. “This is an incredible time to be involved with David and his tremendous catalogue of music. He’s truly one of music’s most prolific songwriters and artists and I’m honored he has made Iconic the steward of his timeless musical legacy.”
In December 2020, David Crosby commented on the recent spate of high-profile music catalog purchases occurring across the industry, stating that he too was looking to sell his recording and publishing rights in light of how COVID-19 and streaming have flattened his earning ability. “I am selling mine also… I can’t work …and streaming stole my record money,” he tweeted on December 7. He later went on: “If we could get paid for records and play live we would not be doing it. None of us.”