David Bowie becomes a member of the Performing Rights Society

On 26 January 1967, David Bowie’s manager Ken Pitt applied for him to join the Performing Rights Society (PRS). On 9 March he was made a Provisional Associate Member, and on 13 March was granted full membership.

The PRS protects copyright and collects fees for composers, songwriters, and music publishers. Bowie’s membership was necessary to gain the full remuneration from his songwriting, which by early 1967 was beginning to get noticed. With a debut album almost complete, and songs being recorded by other performers, he and his management remained hopeful for a commercial breakthrough.

On January 16 I applied to the Performing Right Society for membership for David, listing twenty-nine songs, twenty-seven of which had been recorded, in support of the application. He was elected a Provisional Associate Member on March 9.