Music giant EMI has paid £70 million to take control of 15,000 Motown hits.

EMIs music publishing arm has struck a deal with Motown founder Berry Gordy to take its share in the Jobete catalogue - which includes songs such as Baby Love and I Heard It Through the Grapevine - to 80 per cent.

It also announced plans to collaborate with Mr Gordy on a Broadway Motown musical to include songs from the catalogue.

EMI, which is home to stars including Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams, used cash from the November sale of its remaining interest in HMV to add another 30 per cent to its stake.

Under the terms of the deal, Mr Gordy can opt to sell EMI the remaining 20 per cent for between £48 million and £55 million in April 2004 or April 2005.

If he chooses to hold on to his interest, EMI can opt to buy the final stake in October 2005.

Jobete Music was formed by Mr Gordy in 1959 and became the music publishing arm of his Motown Records.

Its catalogue contains songs by Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Temptations and The Jackson Five.

Mr Gordy said: "Future creative opportunities such as the Motown musical are of great personal importance, so retaining an interest in the catalogue is truly exciting."

Friday April 11 2003