Wilson Pickett Estate and Primary Wave Music Announce Partnership

The Estate of Wilson Pickett has entered into a strategic partnership with Primary Wave, a leading independent music publishing company. This collaboration aims to preserve and expand the legacy of the soul icon by managing his extensive music publishing catalog, as well as his name, image, and likeness rights.

Under the terms of the agreement, the estate will gain access to Primary Wave’s robust marketing team and publishing infrastructure. This will facilitate collaborative efforts in branding, digital strategy, sync licensing, and the development of film and television projects centered around Pickett’s storied career.

Expanding a Legacy

Primary Wave’s partnership with the Wilson Pickett Estate follows a series of high-profile deals with the estates of other legendary artists, including Bobby Womack (notably associated with the soul era) and others. The company’s portfolio already boasts an impressive collection of music history, including works from Prince, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, James Brown, and Isaac Hayes.

Max Pickett, representing the estate, expressed his enthusiasm for the deal, stating, “Promoting my brother’s incredible legacy has not just been a responsibility; it has been a labor of absolute love. Wilson poured his soul into every lyric, leaving us a musical inheritance that belongs to the world.”

He added, “I am profoundly grateful to partner with Primary Wave—stewards who truly understand the weight of his history and the timeless power of his sound. Together, we are keeping the ‘Wicked Pickett’s’ fire burning bright.”

A Defining Voice in American Music

David Weitzman, a partner at Primary Wave, highlighted the significance of the partnership, noting that Pickett was a “once-in-a-generation talent” whose work helped define the sound of soul and R&B. Weitzman emphasized that the collaboration will ensure Pickett’s music continues to reach new audiences for years to come.

Born in Prattville, Alabama, Wilson Pickett was a pioneer of Southern soul in the 1960s. His catalog includes over 50 songs that charted on the U.S. R&B charts, such as the iconic “In the Midnight Hour,” “634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.),” and “Land of 1000 Dances.”

Throughout his illustrious career, Pickett earned numerous accolades, including an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. Despite his passing in 2006, his influence remains profound, with his recordings continuing to be honored by the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.