Steven Tyler of Aerosmith is suing a group of unknown bloggers for impersonating the frontman on the internet. Huh? How exactly do you sue someone who is unknown? In the lawsuit, Tyler complains that bloggers writing as Tyler provided intimate details concerning the singer’s actual life, including discussing the death of Tyler’s mother and impersonating Tyler’s girlfriend. Double huh?? How exactly does this person or persons know such intimate details? This isn’t the first time Tyler was hit by fake blogs. In 2007 Google shut it down. In 2008 Blogspot was the host of the “Fake” Tyler blogs, but those sites have since been shut down. The lawsuit accuses the unknown bloggers of “public disclosure of private facts, making false statements and misappropriation of likeness.” The suit also seeks an injunction to prevent the bloggers return in 2009. Yet again we ask, who exactly is Tyler suing?
Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin has the nickname “Barracuda”. So the brain trust at the McCain campaign figured they would use the Heart rocker of the same name as her theme song. The only problem? No one asked the ladies of Heart. The band released a statement Thursday afternoon announcing they had sent a cease-and-desist letter asking the campaign to stop using the song. “The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission. We have asked the Republican campaign publicly not to use our music. We hope our wishes will be honored.” Their wishes were not honored, as after John McCain’s RNC-ending speech last night, Palin joined him onstage to the sound of “Barracuda”.
This set off Nancy Wilson, who told EW.com, “I think it’s completely unfair to be so misrepresented. I feel completely fucked over.” Soon after, they issued another, more scathing statement: “Sarah Palin’s views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women. We ask that our song “Barracuda” no longer be used to promote her image. The song “Barracuda” was written in the late ’70s as a scathing rant against the soulless, corporate nature of the music business, particularly for women. (The ‘barracuda’ represented the business.) While Heart did not and would not authorize the use of their song at the RNC, there’s irony in Republican strategists’ choice to make use of it there.” Ouch. RockHeap would like to see it settled in a hot oil bikini match between Palin and Nancy Wilson. Ann not so much.
A blogger suspected of streaming songs from the unreleased Guns N’ Roses album “Chinese Democracy” on his website was arrested Wednesday and appeared in court, where his bail was set at $10,000. Federal authorities say Cogill posted nine unreleased Guns N’ Roses songs on his site in June. The songs were later removed. In later posts, Cogill wrote that the FBI had questioned him and asked his readers if any of them knew a good attorney. He was represented Wednesday by a federal public defender. RockHeap knows a good lawyer, just call 1-800-your-a-fuckin-dumb-ass.
The Doors’ Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger will have to pay $5 million to drummer John Densmore and the parents of Jim Morrison and Pamela Courson, Morrison’s widow, as the legal battle between the former band members has finally been settled. The lawsuit started in 2003, when Densmore sued his band mates after they “improperly invoked The Doors’ name and images” when Krieger and Manzarek toured as “The Doors of the 21st Century” which was one of the worst conceived ideas in the history of rock (click here for our Fake Doors feature). Densmore didn’t object to the duo playing Doors music when they toured, he just asked that they not use the name, logo or any Morrison-era imagery, which the duo eventually did.
This isn’t the first time the surviving members of the Doors have disagreed since the band splintered. Densmore routinely rejects the Doors music from being used for commercial purposes — each member has equal veto power over business deals — denying possible deals with Cadillac and Apple, which the other two members approved of. “Morrison had been adamant against doing commercials and Densmore wanted to honor Morrison’s memory,” the appeals court said in its ruling. Yeah Densmore. Finally a rock star, who is not a pimp. Rockheap’s hat goes off to him.
In what’s becoming an expensive habit, Phil Collins‘ latest divorce is setting records in England. The cost to end his third marriage? $46.8 million. The marriage to Orianne Cevey 35, which lasted a scant 6 years, will wind up being the highest divorce settlement ever in the UK. Besting even Sir Paul, by 2 mil. Phil’s divorce from wife # 2 Jill Tavelman cost him $34 million back in 1994. Rockheap figures this latest divorce was worth $21,000 a day. Phil, seriously, do you know what kind of hookers you can get for that type of cash? What are you thinking? Do us, the world and your bank account a favor and don’t get married again or might i suggest something called a pre-nup, you wanker!!!
Jackson Browne has filed a lawsuit against John McCain after the Republican presidential candidate used a portion of Browne’s “Running On Empty” in a campaign commercial without permission. The Republican National Party is also listed in the suit. In the commercial, McCain mocks Barack Obama for suggesting that the country conserve gas through proper tire inflation. What bothers Browne almost as much as McCain’s lack of permission, the lawsuit alleges, is that using “Running On Empty” suggests that Browne supports McCain’s presidential campaign and the Republican platform. Jackson also sued a bully who kicked sand in his face at the beach. Lighten up dude, this is the most action your career has gotten since you beat up Daryl Hannah.
The Allman Brothers Band are suing UMG Recordings for $13 million. They are claiming that they haven’t been paid the correct royalty rate for the digital exploitation of the Capricorn Masters. If you’re not familiar with Capricorn Records, then you need go get a lesson in the history of southern rock. Also on the legal front, Gregg Allman’s liver is suing him for abuse leading to the contraction of Hepatitis C.
Gary Glitter, the English glam rocker, whose only hit “Rock & Roll Part Two” a stadium anthem for every sport, in every country, will be released from a Vietnamese prison on August 19th. Glitter was jailed in March 2006 on charges he molested two underage girls. Fortunately for us Rambo did not feel the need the break him out of prison early.
