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Classic Rock Briefs for October 27, 2008

Ron Wood’s Daughter Pregnant

Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood has had a lot going on in his life lately. Struggles with alcohol and a split from his wife of two decades in favor of his new 20-year-old girlfriend have kept the U.K. papers buzzing about Wood in recent months. Now we hear that Wood’s daughter Leah is expecting her first child in the spring. She has not informed her father of her pregnancy, since she has not been on good terms with him since his affair with Ekaterina Ivanova, although it is a safe bet that he’s heard about it by now. Full Story.

Zeppelin Fan Determined To Continue Walk of Fame Campaign

Despite comments from Jimmy Page that put a bit of a damper on Rocky Dickerson’s efforts to secure a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Led Zeppelin, Dickerson has decided to press on with his efforts, and encourage other fans to join him. “I must admit I was taken aback by Jimmy’s non-endorsement of the campaign drive. I’m sure he has his reasons… and all of them possibly valid,” Dickerson says.”But I am so committed to doing this I cannot simply roll over and play dead…” Full Story.

Boston Rocker Suing Bon Jovi Has No Hate for Group

Bart Steele, the fellow who has filed a $400 billion lawsuit against Bon Jovi and other entities claiming that a song he wrote to honor his hometown baseball team was stolen from him. Steele says he has been a Bon Jovi fan since 1985. On his personal blog, Steele recently wrote: “I never accused Bon Jovi of stealing lyrics or anything. I’ve been a fan for a long time which is also why this whole situation stinks. I only wanted fair credit and compensation for my work. Unfortunately, I’ve spent my past year learning the in’s and out’s of copyright laws…and they are very VAGUE!!!” Full Story.

Music Legends Lose Memorabilia In Warehouse Fire

Rare Memorabilia belonging to legendary rockers David Bowie, The Rolling Stones and Elton John have been lost as a result of a fire in East London that raged through a warehouse being used by a company called Iron Mountain. The company’s website describes their business, in part,  by saying, “Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE:IRM) helps organizations around the world reduce the costs and risks associated with information protection and storage.” An estimated $1.5 million worth of memorabilia was destroyed in the fire. Legal action against Iron Mountain may be in the works, and the artists are said to be very upset about the loss. Duran Duran and The Sex Pistols were also reported to have lost items in the fire. Full Story.

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Tags: Bart Steele, Bon Jovi, Daughter Pregnant, Iron Mountain, Led Zeppelin, London Fire, Ron Wood, Walk of Fame Campaign

Bon Jovi Slapped With $400 Billion Lawsuit Over Baseball Song

Bart Steele is a Boston Red Sox fan, and in light of these circumstances, he probably even qualifies as a “Super Fan.” I think that’s a title that’s well deserved for someone who writes a song about their hometown team, and referred to it as a "love song for his beloved Red Sox,” and graced it with the name “(Man I Really) Love this Team.”

Although Steele may still be feeling pretty good about last year’s World Series win by his beloved Sox, there is something that he is definitely not too happy about, and he’s not taking it sitting down. Steele has filed a $400 billion (no, that’s not a typo) lawsuit against legendary rock group Bon Jovi.

Steele alleges that Bon Jovi essentially re-wrote his beloved baseball song and called it “I Love This Town,” which the group recorded as a promotion for Major League Baseball, and also included the tune on their CD Lost Highway.

Although $400 billion sure sounds like a lot of dough, the lawsuit claims that the amount is authorized by copyright  laws. The suit says they are seeking $100,000 per CD sold, and with just under 4 million sold, the math comes out to around $400 billion. The suit also states that Steele intends to donate 99% of the money to musicians’ rights organizations.

When I hear about lawsuits filed against rock stars or other big-name celebrities, I will often comment about my doubt that the defendant(s) in question will wind up in the poor house, or anywhere in its vicinity even if they lose the case.

In this case, however, I’m wondering if Bon Jovi might be just a little nervous. $400 billion has to be way beyond any amount that the group has accumulated during their career, and the old poor house could be opening its doors for the Jersey rockers if by some chance, a judgment that large is levied against them.

Granted, a $400 billion award in this case is probably very unlikely, but you do remember the case of the woman who won a $2.7 million judgment against McDonald’s when she spilled hot coffee on herself don’t you? That amount was reduced, and then changed again later when both parties agreed to a settlement that remains secret.

Like most of these cases, it will probably be quite some time before we hear about a verdict or a settlement, but it will be interesting to see how it all turns out.

For more details, check out AntiMusic.

Tags: Bart Steele, Bon Jovi, Boston Red Sox, Copyright, lawsuit, Song