Rocker Pete sells his songs to Spirit

The Who rocker Pete Townshend has sold his song catalogue to music publisher Spirit Music Group for an undisclosed sum.

Townshend, famed for songs such as "Pinball Wizard" and the album and rock opera Quadrophenia, will work in partnership with Spirit to exploit his catalogue. Spirit chief executive Mark Fried spent a year in talks with the Who star and his representatives including Universal Music to seal the deal.

Townshend plans to work on new projects and "brand partnerships". The guitarist said: " The deal provides me with the resources to start all over again in my creative career — most songwriters don't get this kind of opportunity, a chance of creative renaissance."