hot on the heels of a MEGA hit album with Lil Wayne, Universal continues its rein at the top of the majors by snagging themselves some serious ROCK ROYALTY.

None other than the ROLLING STONES are the latest act to take action against the major EMI label group drama and leave their long time partners for greener pastures.

The deal is not only for any future recording the boys may put out (as Mick Jagger just celebrated his 65th birthday, we’re not sure how many-or how good that would be…) but also their ENTIRE BACK CATALOGUE.

Universal refuses to disclose how they got so lucky, but the Stones had this to say:

“Universal are forward-thinking, creative and hands-on music people. We really look forward to working with them.”

And that’s all she wrote! Which label under the Universal umbrella do you think will be the lucky winner-Interscope? Def Jam? Republic (who has put out albums from The Who, Prince & John Mellencamp)?

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eXtreme Elvis: Live Video
Elvis Presley was extreme. eXtreme Elvis is extremely extreme.

By Mike Errico

Blender.com, April 2006
Exhumed from the Blender.com vaults, this clip was filmed at the Garage in Los Angeles when a documentary filmmaker, on assignment in the club’s main room, stumbled onto the behemoth burning up (and hosing down) the acoustic side stage. Part performance art, part punk rock, part incontinence, this happy ending from the king of King impersonators prompted one staffer to dub him “the best show I’ve seen since I last showered with Ricky Martin.”

Big UPS to Brian Berkowitz for shooting a GREAT VIDEO!!!

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Universal Music acquires Sanctuary in reach for faster growth

By Lucy Killgren and Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson

Published: June 16 2007 03:00 | Last updated: June 16 2007 03:00

Sanctuary Group, the troubled music company whose roster stretches from Dolly Parton to James Blunt, has agreed a 20p-a-share sale to Universal Music, less than 18 months after its former management raised £110m in a rescue refinancing at 50p per share.

Full Article Here

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2007

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