BMG buys recordings catalog of German pop-rock band Fools Garden

BMG has acquired again.

Last week, the music company struck a deal to acquire Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson’s song rights.

Today (November 24), BMG has revealed that it’s acquired the recordings catalog of multi-Platinum German pop-rock band Fools Garden.

The band around founding members Peter Freudenthaler, Volker Hinkel, Thomas Mangold, Roland Röhl and Ralf Wochele rose to worldwide fame in 1995 following the release of their album Dish Of The Day and their global smash hit Lemon Tree.

The agreement includes the sound recordings of all of the band’s albums released between 1991 and 2003 including Fool’s Garden (1991), Once In A Blue Moon (1993), their No.1 breakthrough Dish Of The Day (1995), Go And Ask Peggy For The Principal Thing (1997), For Sale (2000) and 25 Miles To Kissimmee (2003).

Lemon Tree entered the charts around the world including six No.1 positions and scored multiple Gold and Platinum awards.

It was translated into over 40 languages. To date, Lemon Tree has sold six million copies, and generated over 340 million global streams.

Most recently, Fools Garden released a cover of the song in collaboration with German DJ and producer Alle Farben.

BMG acquisition of the Fools Garden catalog follows a series recent rights deals for the music of artists including Mick Fleetwood, Tina Turner, ZZ Top, Mötley Crüe, John Lee Hooker, Jean-Michel Jarre, Primal Scream and Simple Minds, among others.

“We are confident that we’re in good hands because we have known the team for years and are sure that we’ll get the best support for our music.”

Peter Freudenthaler 

Peter Freudenthaler said: “I’m thrilled that Fools Garden and our catalog are now part of the visionary enterprise, BMG.

“We are confident that we’re in good hands because we have known the team for years and are sure that we’ll get the best support for our music.”

“Peter and Volker are two of the greatest melodic songwriters of the past 30 years.”

Hartwig Masuch, BMG 

BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch added: “Peter and Volker are two of the greatest melodic songwriters of the past 30 years.

“Lemon Tree is a phenomenon, but their creativity goes way beyond that. Their work stands proudly alongside our other marquee acquisitions including work from Mick Fleetwood, Tina Turner, and Jean-Michel Jarre.”

“Fools Garden are one of the few German bands whose anthems have resonated with fans worldwide and continue to do so to this day.”

Maximilian Kolb, BMG

Maximilian Kolb, BMG EVP Repertoire & Marketing Continental Europe, said: “Fools Garden are one of the few German bands whose anthems have resonated with fans worldwide and continue to do so to this day.

“Their catalog is of high local and cultural relevance, and we are honored that the band trusts us to continue giving their music the attention and appreciation it deserves.”

 Music Business Worldwide