Primary Wave Music Partners with Marillion’s Derek Dick, AKA Fish

Primary Wave Music partners with Marillion’s Derek Dick, AKA Fish, with the indie publishing giant acquiring the singer-songwriter’s master royalties and writer’s share of songs including ‘Kayleigh,’ ‘Lavender,’ and ‘Incommunicado.’

Leading independent publisher Primary Wave Music has announced their partnership with Marillion’s Derek Dick, otherwise known as Fish. Terms of the deal see the indie publisher acquire Fish’s master royalties and writer’s share for Marillion. Fish was one of the songwriters behind the British rock band’s biggest hits, including “Kayleigh,” “Lavender,” and “Incommunicado,” which are all included in the deal.

Terms of the deal will also give Fish access to Primary Wave’s marketing team and publishing infrastructure, which includes digital strategy, licensing, sync opportunities, and film/TV production.

“Every songwriter has a spiritual and emotional connection with their creations and is very protective about their legacy,” says Fish. “When Clive (Black) approached me about my shares in the Marillion catalog, I soon realized that Primary Wave was a good home for them to go to and be cherished and to leave that part of my history as I move forward in my solo career. I’m pleased that these songs will be heard by further generations and introduce my continued songwriting to new audiences worldwide.”

Upon its release in 1985, “Kayleigh” quickly hit the Top 10 in the UK and would stay there for 14 weeks. The song is still considered the band’s most successful single worldwide. Their follow-up single, “Lavender,” reached No. 7 and stayed in the Top 10 for over two months. 1987’s “Incommunicado” became the band’s third Top 10 single.

Born in 1958 in Edinburgh, Derek William Dick, who later became known as Fish for his propensity to stay in the bath for lengthy amounts of time, joined Marillion in 1981 after passing a demo cassette on to the band. His audition was only a formality.

During a 1982 tour, the band announced its signing to EMI Records. The band enjoyed several years of prominence throughout the UK and Europe before Fish left the band in 1988. Shortly thereafter, Fish moved back home to Scotland and set up a studio in a farmhouse where he has continued to work on new music, releasing several solo projects. His last album, “Weltschmerz,” was released in 2020.