Gold Dust Man: Fleetwood Mac founder sells back catalogue to German publisher BMG

Fleetwood Mac co-founder Mick Fleetwood has become the latest musician to sell the rights to their back catalogue.

The drummer's interests in his band's recordings have been acquired by Germany-based BMG, one of the largest global music publishers.

The deal includes royalty interests in more than 300 songs including Fleetwood Mac hits Dreams, The Chain and Go Your Own Way, and covers his interests in all of the band's recorded work apart from their first two albums.

BMG will now collect a fee every time one of those songs is streamed, played on the radio or used in a film or video game.

It comes days after  former Fleetwood Mac lead guitarist Lindsey Buckingham sold the rights to his share of the band’s catalogue to  Hipgnosis Songs Fund, run by Merck Mercuriadis, a former manager of Sir Elton John and Pet Shop Boys.

Recent months have seen a series of high-profile artists including Bob Dylan, Neil Young and most recently Shakira sell the rights to their extensive back catalogues in lucrative deals.

Fleetwood, 73, said: "This is a wonderfully inspiring marriage between two creative partners that understand all aspects of the business. Foremost, BMG understands the artistry and puts the artist first.

"If this partnership is any indication of my past, and now future, working relationship with BMG, it's that they truly 'get it'."

BMG chief executive Hartwig Masuch said: "Mick Fleetwood is the bedrock of one of the greatest bands in rock, he has a unique talent to bring together musicians of all genres and of course he is one of rock's greatest drummers.

"BMG is proud to represent his greatest work and excited about the forthcoming launch of Mick Fleetwood & Friends."