Bertelsmann music company BMG has signed a global agreement to manage the catalog rights of legendary Spanish flamenco guitarist and composer Paco de Lucía. The contract with Río de la Miel Ediciones, the publishing company of Paco de Lucía, who died in 2014 at the age of 66, includes major titles such as "Entre Dos Aguas," "Mediterranean Sundance/Rio Ancho," and "Solo Quiero Caminar" and represents an important step toward preserving and promoting the musical legacy of one of flamenco's most influential figures.
"Paco de Lucía's music is timeless, and this agreement with BMG ensures that his legacy will continue to flourish and reach new generations of music lovers around the world," said a statement from representatives of Paco de Lucía's estate. Javier Doria, Managing Director of BMG Spain, explains: "We are honored to manage the publishing catalog of Paco de Lucía, a true legend whose music continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide. This partnership reflects BMG's commitment to preserving and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of flamenco music."
The emergence of the "New Flamenco" movement
As a Grammy nominee and four-time Latin Grammy winner, Paco de Lucía has left an indelible mark on the world of flamenco guitar, while also transcending the boundaries of the genre. Throughout his illustrious career, de Lucía has played with such renowned musicians as guitarist Carlos Santana, pianist Chick Corea, and guitarist Al Di Meola. In the 1970s, he collaborated with singer Camarón de la Isla, which played a decisive role in the emergence of the "New Flamenco" movement. In their book Guitar: Music, History, Players, British guitarists Richard Chapman and Eric Clapton described de Lucía as a "titan in the world of flamenco guitar" and highlighted his significant contribution to the development of guitar music.
The agreement that has now been concluded follows the release of "Pepito y Paquito," an album featuring 21 previously unreleased tracks by the young Pepe and Paco de Lucía. These recordings, released by BMG in collaboration with the Paco de Lucía Foundation, date from 1959 and 1960 and offer a unique insight into the early musical endeavors of the legendary Spanish flamenco guitarist and his brother Pepe, aged 13 and 11 respectively. Last year, BMG also released "Paco de Lucía: The Montreux Years," a collection of Paco de Lucía's best live performances at the Montreux Jazz Festival between 1984 and 2012.
