Posts Tagged ‘legal’

Randy Rhoads’ Family Files Lawsuit Over Coffee Table Book

Paul Natkin, Getty Images The family of late and legendary Ozzy Osbourne / Quiet Riot guitarist Randy Rhoads have taken legal action over a coffee table book titled ‘Randy Rhoads’ that has allegedly been published using unauthorized materials. According to a fresh press release, the family of Randy Rhoads entered into an agreement with producer Peter Margolis in 2007 to construct a documentary film on the life of Rhoads. Although the deal had been made, Margolis himself was not granted ownership of any ideas or materials that would be used for the documentary, including photos, videos and sound recordings. The Rhoads family is now accusing Margolis, along with book co-authors Andrew Klein and Steven Rosen and publishing company Velocity Publishing Group Inc. of using the unauthorized materials for the ‘Randy Rhoads’ coffee table book. Margolis and Klein were expected to work with Dakota Films for an official Randy Rhoads documentary, with Margolis reportedly promising the film would be completed within three years. Margolis had reportedly claimed, as of early 2012, that the film was completed, but family members who watched portions of the documentary claim it was “edited poorly and unprofessionally,” adding that the quality of the film was “abysmal.” Rhoads’ mother, Delores, and sisters Kathryn and Kelle, now claim that the ‘Randy Rhoads’ coffee table book, which was co-authored by Andrew Klein and rock writer Steven Rosen, contains more that 50 instances where unauthorized materials were used. The Randy Rhoads Estate has reacted by filing a lawsuit against Peter Margolis, Andrew Klein, Steven Rosen and Velocity Publishing Group Inc. The family claims the long process and alleged “betrayal” has been especially hard on Randy Rhoads’ mother, Delores, who is now in her 90s. “He was a saint … He was an angel, and too good for this world,” says Delores Rhoads. “His death’s always on my mind. Every year at the anniversary of his birth and death, fans from all over the world gather at his grave site to honor his passing. We will never forget him. His musical legacy lives on in the minds and music of his many fans.” Stay tuned for future updates on the legal proceedings as news breaks. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/randy-rhoads-videos-that-rock/” title=”10 Randy Rhoads Videos That Rock” align=”center”]

Nick Oliveri Contributes Vocals to Queens of the Stone Age Album, Rejoins Kyuss Lives!

Jo Hale, Getty Images There is never a dull moment when it comes to former Queens of the Stone Age bassist Nick Oliveri. The musician has not only rejoined Kyuss Lives! , but he also has contributed vocals to the upcoming QOTSA album. It was previously announced that  Dave Grohl  would play drums on the new QOTSA disc, while  Trent Reznor would be contributing to a track, as well. Now, Oliveri is returning to the fold, even if in a limited capacity. A post was issued on the Mondo Generator Facebook page. Oliveri is the frontman and bassist of that band. The update read as follows: NEWS: Nick has re-joined Kyuss, and has recently recorded his vocals on a new Queens of the Stone Age song! Stay tuned. Oliveri split with QOTSA in 2004, and not exactly in amicable fashion. Earlier this year, QOTSA frontman Josh Homme  appeared on a Mondo Generator track , so it seems as if fences have been mended between the two, to some extent. Oliveri also left Kyuss Lives! to avoid the ugly court battle over the name, which was taking place between the current and former members of Kyuss. Maybe all the legal hatchets in the incestuous ranks of QOTSA and Kyuss are being buried? Oliveri was also in the news recently when he engaged in a standoff with cops after a domestic disturbance. He took a plea deal and avoided jail time. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/queens-of-the-stone-age-no-one-knows-top-21st-century-hard-rock-songs/” title=”Queens of the Stone Age: Top 21st Century Metal Songs” align=”center”]

Billy Corgan Sued by Actors Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart Over Fallen Tree

Juan Naharro Gimenez, Getty Images Between releasing a new Smashing Pumpkins album and finally opening the Chicago tea house of his dreams, 2012 was shaping up to be a pretty great year for Billy Corgan — but apparently a tree had to go and ruin everything. The fateful wood in question once stood on Corgan’s Beverly Hills property, until a major 2011 storm uprooted it and sent it crashing into the home of his neighbors, ‘ Grey’s Anatomy ‘ star Eric Dane and his wife Rebecca Gayheart. TMZ reports that Dane and Gayheart — who was nine months pregnant at the time — were faced with the tricky situation of attempting to evacuate a “quickly flooding” home that had a tree and broken power lines poking through the roof. As you might imagine, the Dane-Gayhearts are a little miffed; in fact, they’re claiming that Corgan was warned that the tree posed a threat, and they’re suing him to the tune of unspecified damages for “nuisance, negligence, and injunctive relief.” For his part, Corgan insists the whole thing is a misunderstanding, telling TMZ that “I was horrified when I learned about the tree falling during what was a massive storm, a storm with winds strong enough to uproot a 50 foot tree by its base! Thankfully no one was injured.” Corgan went on to call the lawsuit “a shame” and referred to his legal assailants as “nice people.” [button href=”http://loudwire.com/tags/billy-corgan/” title=”Next: Billy Corgan Talks Next Smashing Pumpkins Album” align=”center”]

Iced Earth Guitarist Condemns Record Label Lawsuit Against File Sharers

Facebook: Iced Earth According to various news sources, Century Media Records have filed a lawsuit against more than 7,000 music fans for illegally downloading Lacuna Coil ‘s ‘Dark Adrenaline’ and Iced Earth ‘s ‘Dystopia.’ Since news of the lawsuit broke, discussion of the legal action has been rampant over the internet, with Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer sharing his personal views in a new statement. Although NorthJersey.com broke the news on Aug. 5, the story had only been discovered by the online metal community a few days ago. Reminiscent of the recent suit against All Shall Perish fans who illegally downloaded the band’s 2011 album, ‘This is Where it Ends,’ a total of 3,136 defendants have been targeted for illegally downloading ‘Dark Adrenaline,’ while 4,327 others are being pinned for downloading ‘Dystopia.’ Much like in the All Shall Perish case, the ‘Dystopia’ lawsuits were not brought to the band’s attention before being filed, according to a statement Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer posted via the band’s Facebook page: It has come to my attention that Century Media is suing fans over illegal downloads of (among others) our latest album,’Dystopia’. I felt it was important to clarify that we had no knowledge of this motion and were, sadly, not asked permission. We all know the music industry is changing. We have been adapting to this model by embracing legal streaming services such as Spotify and by bringing our music to places we have never played before by touring our proverbial asses off. As much as we respect that the labels are having a harder time selling music, we feel this is a misguided effort and want to make sure our fans know we would have not given our consent would we have been asked. Metal Insider recently reported that they had contacted Century Media for a statement, and although no official response has been made, an anonymous Century Media employee states that nobody at the American offices knows anything about the suit and that they are checking in with their European branch to see if they have any information. Additionally, as of this posting, no Lacuna Coil members have commented on the situation. Check out the lawsuit’s paperwork below and stay tuned for more news as the story develops. Century Media Lawsuit Paperwork Century Media Ltd v Does 1 944 No 12 Cv 3868 (DNJ)

Lamb of God Launch eBay Auction Site ‘Justice Now’ to Benefit Randy Blythe Defense Fund

Lamb of God vocalist Randy Blythe returned home to the States after spending five long weeks in a Czech Republic prison, but his legal battle is just getting started. With manslaughter charges still looming from a 2010 concert incident, Blythe will likely have to return to Prague to stand trial and as the battle rages on, Blythe’s legal bills continue to build. With many fans vocalizing that they’d like to

Two Pussy Riot Members Fleeing Russia to Avoid Prosecution + Weigh Legal Options

Russian punk band Pussy Riot may have outspoken opinions on things, but unfortunately they don’t live in a country where they can speak their minds openly without threat of prosecution. Luckily for two members of the trio, they have fled the country to avoid further legal action. The group made headlines back in March when they were arrested for performing an anti-Vladimir Putin “punk prayer” inside Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ

Tommy Lee Accused of Stealing Roller Coaster Drum Idea

? Tommy Lee is no stranger to the legal system, having several run-ins with the law over the years. Now, according to TMZ, an engineer claims he had the idea for the Motley Crue drummer’s circle-shaped roller-coaster drum solo back in 1991. Scott King wrote a legal letter to Motley Crue’s lawyers recently, claiming he pitched the idea to Lee over 20 years ago and was turned down. King says the idea