Big Record Company Changes

EMI, the legendary British record company that has been home to The Beatles, Pink Floyd and The Beach Boys has been split in half and sold. Sony is purchasing EMI's publishing division for $2.2 billion, and Universal Music is buying EMI's recorded music division for $1.9 billion. The deal means that, for the first time since 1931, the U.K. will be without a major global record company, and Universal — which already controls the music of U2, Bon Jovi, Lady Gaga and Eminem — will acquire the major works of some of Rock's most important acts.