Other Canadian music industry stories this week: Billboard Canada is named an M for Montreal presenting partner and MusiquePlus is returning as a one-night TV special.
Also this week: Muse Group adds three chiefs, Guitar Center hires a tech leader, Gracenote welcomes a CEO and Neon Coast lights up with an RCA Nashville veteran.
The late New Zealand beer baron was heir to one of Australasia's most successful brewing dynasties.
The company, which owns distributors CD Baby and FUGA as well as a slew of other music businesses, has held talks with several prospective buyers in recent months.
Also this week: Virgin Music Group announces a strategic relationship with a Japanese anime company, Believe acquires a stake in Global Records and more.
Also this week: Ciara, Amelie Lens, Yung Gravy, 3OH!3, Lakeview and Shaylen.
With 99.97% of shares voted voting for its $1.6 billion offer, Blackstone now owns 100% of the company that popularized music as an asset class
David Ellison, son of Oracle founder Larry Ellison, will be CEO of the company.
The Billboard Global Music Index (BGMI) rose 1.6% to 1,844.87, bringing its year-to-date gain to 20.3%.
Known as a fierce artist champion and musical connector, Martin became an influential A&R rep at labels including RCA, Warner Bros. and Mercury Records starting in the 1970s.
