Round Hill Music completes acquisition of Modern English and Vini Poncia catalogs

29 July 2025 - Press release

Music investment firm adds hits performed by legendary rockers Kiss and Grammy winning singer-songwriter Leo Sayer to its growing portfolio  

 

Round Hill Music, the pioneering music rights acquisition platform founded in 2010, has acquired certain rights of the catalogs of British post-punk band Modern English and American songwriter, musician and producer Vini Poncia. The two acquisitions comprise the publishing rights of Poncia, and both the publishing and the master rights of “I Melt With You” by Modern English. With hits like “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” by Kiss, “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing” by Leo Sayer and “I Melt With You” by Modern English, the investments further enhance Round Hill’s portfolio of time-tested hit songs that continue to resonate with fans around the world.

Vini Poncia is an American musician, songwriter and record producer. He has written songs recorded by artists such as Ringo Starr, Martha Reeves, Melissa Manchester, Patti Smyth, The Ronettes, Kiss and Darlene Love. He produced two albums for Kiss, co-writing their platinum-certified hit “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” from their 1979 album Dynasty. He also co-wrote Leo Sayer’s 1976 chart-topping hit “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing”, which reached no.1 in three countries, including the US, and earned Poncia a Grammy award for Best R&B Song. Round Hill has acquired the publishing rights to Poncia’s entire catalog of songs.

Modern English is a UK new wave, post-punk band formed in 1979. Their music has spanned over four decades since the release of their first album in 1981. They are best known for songs such as “Hands Across the Sea”, “Ink and Paper” and their platinum-selling hit “I Melt With You”. Originally finding popularity through its appearance in the 1983 film Valley Girl, and then as a staple video on MTV, “I Melt With You” has continued to thrive as a classic 80s hit, finding placements in film and TV long after its release. Sync placements have included productions such as Glee, 50 First Dates and Mr. and Mrs. Smith, as well as commercials for Hershey’s chocolate.

Round Hill Music CEO Josh Gruss said: “In their own ways, Modern English and Vini Poncia have produced timeless music which has had a lasting impact over many decades. Their catalogs resonate with Round Hill’s focus on time-tested music with proven commercial performance and further growth potential. This acquisition is particularly meaningful for me on a personal level since Modern English was the very first concert I attended when I was nine years old. That experience helped spark a lifelong love of music and to now be entrusted with stewarding their catalog is a full-circle moment.    

“Finding success through a variety of different platforms, including streaming, film and TV, these songs have shown their ability not just to maintain their enduring popularity, but to find new fans even long after their release. With Kiss returning to the stage in hologram form in 2027, we’re seeing how such iconic artists can continue their legacy and marketability well into the future.”

Vini Poncia said: “I'm very excited my songs have found a new home at Round Hill Music. Big thanks to Josh Gruss, my attorney Henry Root at Counsel LLP, and Peter Kalish and Marc Ferrari without whom this deal never would have happened.”

Josh Zieman, Modern English’s manager, commented: “Modern English is thrilled to be working with the Roundhill Music team and, as the song says, ‘the Future's Open Wide’.”

These new catalogs join Round Hill Music’s c.US$1 billion portfolio of over 200,000 copyrights under management, including songs performed by iconic artists such as George Harrison, Elvis Presley, Bruno Mars, Chaka Khan, Morgan Wallen, Goo Goo Dolls, Bryan Adams, Matchbox Twenty, Black Sabbath, The Killers, Meat Loaf, Madonna and many more. The firm seeks to leverage its 50-strong in-house team to maintain and grow the revenue generated by these rights, through strategic marketing and royalty optimization across multiple revenue channels, including streaming, licensing and synchronization.

This news follows a flurry of recent activity by Round Hill Music, including its recently announced acquisitions of the catalogs of UK songwriter Terry Shaddick, Swedish DJ Linus Eklow, Rod Stewart songwriter Carmine Appice, yacht rock icon Al Stewart and reggae rock band Dirty Heads.

Vini Poncia was represented by Henry Root of Smith Entertainment Law Group, Modern English was represented by Monika Tashman of Loeb and Loeb and Round Hill was represented by Michael Selverne of Selverne Bradford PLLC.