Latin Superstar Juan Gabriel Joins Universal Music Group (UMG)

Latin Superstar Juan Gabriel Joins Universal Music Group (UMG)

Renowned Recording Artist & Songwriter Signs Globally with Universal Music Latin America for Recorded Music and Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) for Publishing

MIAMI and LOS ANGELES, April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- International recording superstar and prolific songwriter Juan Gabriel, one of Latin music's most important artists, has signed global recording and publishing agreements with Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company. New recordings from Juan Gabriel will be released through Universal Music Latin America, while his publishing rights (which include his entire catalog of songs from his thirty-plus-year career) will be represented exclusively by Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) throughout the world. The agreement was announced today by Jesus Lopez, Chairman & CEO of Latin America and Iberian Peninsula; David Renzer, Chairman & CEO, UMPG; Eddie Fernandez, Senior Vice President, Latin America, UMPG; and Juan Gabriel.

"Juan Gabriel is one of music's greatest treasures and we are thrilled that he has decided to start the newest chapter of his storied career with Universal," stated Mr. Lopez.

"Juan Gabriel has remained an important artist for so many years in part because he's a gifted songwriter who is responsible for creating an incredible catalog of songs," commented Mr. Renzer. "We look forward to working with him on taking his music to the next level on a global basis."

"Juan Gabriel may very well be the most relevant Mexican songwriter of the last three decades," added Mr. Fernandez. "From Pop to Ranchero and back, his music has traveled throughout Latin America and Spain."

One of the most successful Mexican vocalists of all time, Juan Gabriel has been making hit music for over 35 years and has achieved unrivaled success throughout his years as a songwriter and performer. He was the first artist to sell over one million singles in Mexico and has since gone on to sell over 100 million copies of his albums, performing to sold-out crowds around the world. As an internationally-renowned recording artist, Juan Gabriel has received numerous awards throughout his career, including ASCAP Songwriter of the Year, four Billboard Music Awards, six Grammy nominations, numerous Premio Lo Nuestro Awards, and an induction into the Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame in 1996.

Juan Gabriel is widely considered one of the leading ambassadors of Latin music throughout the world. As a songwriter, his songs have been recorded by a variety of artists, including Marc Anthony, Cristian Castro, Rocio Durcal, Maldita Vecindad, Jose Jose and Thalia, among many others. Juan Gabriel is also an actor who has appeared in such films as Nobleza Ranchera, Del Otro Lado del Puerte, and Es Mi Vida. Some of his best known songs include "Pero Que Necesidad," "Hasta Que Te Conoci," "Te Sigo Amando," and "Querida," which remained atop the Mexican music charts for over a year.

About Universal Music Latin America

Universal Music Latin America is the award-winning Latin division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world's largest music company, with wholly owned record operations or licensees in 77 countries. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, the industry's leading global music publishing operation.

UMG's labels include Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, Emarcy, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Philips, Polydor Records, Universal Music Latino, Universal Motown Republic Group, Universal Records South and Verve Music Group, as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalog of music in the industry, which is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes eLabs, a new media and technologies division; Bravado, its merchandising company; and Twenty-First Artists, its full service management division.

Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi, a global media and communications company.

About Universal Music Publishing Group

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) is the industry's leading global music publishing operation and is part of Universal Music Group. UMPG represents music in every genre from many of the world's top songwriters and catalogs including U2, Elton John, Bernie Taupin, 50 Cent, Mariah Carey, R. Kelly, Coldplay, Nelly, Juan Gabriel, Ciara, Dave Grohl, Prince, Justin Timberlake, Maroon 5, Mary J. Blige, Beastie Boys, The Clash, The Sex Pistols, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Paul Simon, Henry Mancini, Christina Aguilera and Linkin Park, among many others. UMPG is also a global leader in the areas of Production Music, Christian and Classical Music.

    For More Information Please Contact:     Peter LoFrumento    Universal Music Group    212.331.2585     Grant Pavolka    Universal Music Group    212.331.2562  

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Source: Universal Music Group

CONTACT: Peter LoFrumento, +1-212-331-2585, or Grant Pavolka,
+1-212-331-2562, both of Universal Music Group

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Profile: International Entertainment