The Rolling Stones return “Bittersweet Symphony” songwriting credit to The Verve’s Richard Ashcroft

The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony” was one of many greatest hits of the ’90s, and even acquired a Grammy for Greatest Rock Music. And but in spite of everything these years, the principal mastermind behind the monitor, songwriter Richard Ashcroft, has by no means been correctly compensated in royalties. That’s — till now.
“Bittersweet Symphony” famously featured a sampling of an Andrew Loog Oldham orchestral cowl of The Rolling Stones authentic “The Final Time”. Though permission to make use of the pattern was obtained on the time, former Stones supervisor Allen Klein and his ABKCO Music & Data Inc., which owns rights to the Stones’ catalog, later pursued authorized motion in opposition to Ashcroft.
Ashcroft finally relinquished all his “Bittersweet Symphony” rights and royalties to Klein and ABKCO, which went on to make thousands and thousands of off the track. Songwriting credit additionally had been modified, with Ashcroft sharing the highlight with The Stones’ Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
Late final yr, Ashcroft reignited the controversy surrounding “Bittersweet Symphony”, telling Kyle Meredith With… that “I’m coming for my cash, man.” And he did.
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However reasonably than have interaction in additional authorized warfare with ABCKO, Ashcroft appealed to Jagger and Richards instantly. The 2 Stones members “unhesitatingly and unconditionally” agreed to assist Ashcroft get his hit track again.
“Sooner or later all royalties that may have gone to them for ‘Bitter Candy Symphony’ will now go to Richard,” reads a press launch. “However in some ways much more importantly they’ve mentioned that they not require a writing credit score for ‘Bitter Candy Symphony’, kindly acknowledging that so far as they’re involved it’s Richard’s track.”
“It provides me nice pleasure to announce as of final month Mick Jagger and Keith Richards agreed to offer me their share of the track ‘Bitter Candy Symphony,’” Ashcroft excitedly commented in an announcement. He added,
“This outstanding and life affirming flip of occasions was made attainable by a form and magnanimous gesture from Mick and Keith, who’ve additionally agreed that they’re comfortable for the writing credit score to exclude their names and all their royalties derived from the track they may now go to me.
I wish to thank the primary gamers on this, my administration Steve Kutner and John Kennedy, the Stones supervisor Joyce Smyth and Jody Klein (for truly taking the decision) lastly an enormous unreserved heartfelt thanks and respect to Mick and Keith.
Music is energy.”
Revisit Ashcroft’s look on Kyle Meredith With… beneath.
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