In addition to covering up the scope of damage in a 2008 fire in a Universal Music Group vault containing recording masters of more than 800 artists, the company allegedly also profited from settlement and insurance payments, according to a new report and court filings. After the devastating fire, UMG…
Category archives: Universal Fire
800+ Artists Lost Tapes In Universal Fire [NY Times]
The New York Times has published a list of over 700 more artists believed to have lost their masters in the 2008 fire that swept the backlot of Universal Studios in Hollywood. This follows an existing tally of more than 100 artists named in an investigation earlier this month. The…
Musicians Sue Universal Alleging $100M 2018 Fire Loss
A group of high-profile musicians and estates have filed a $100 million lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMPG) over the 2008 fire that destroyed thousands of archived master recordings. The lawsuit, which was filed in Los Angeles Federal District Court Friday (June 21) by the rock bands Soundgarden and Hole,…
UMG Fire Concerns Are ‘Just Noise,’ Says Vivendi Chair, As Music Group Sale Timetable Extended
Even as details emerge of a 2008 fire in a vault holding thousands of Universal Music Group recordings point to devastating destruction of historic masters, the chairperson of UMG corporate parent Vivendi is calling the concerns of artists and producers is "just noise." "It’s a credit to the leadership of…
Universal Music Archives Fire Appears Worse Than Reported
It is slowly becoming clearer just how devastating a backlot fire at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2008 was to recorded music, and artists and artist managers are openly voicing their fears. According to a report in the New York Times Magazine, part of the lot damaged by the fire housed…