Image: RCA Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Founding Guess Who members Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman have launched a lawsuit against fellow original members Garry Peterson and Jim Kale, and against the band itself, claiming that they’re conning fans into thinking that the current lineup of the band – which they’ve called “little more than a cover band” – is the original Guess Who.
A federal suit has been filed in Los Angeles, alleging that the current lineup has used the band’s name, photos of the original iteration, and recordings on which Bachman and Cummings performed “to give the false impression that Plaintiffs are performing as part of the cover band.” Says Cummings: ““They’ve taken mine and Randy’s history, the history of the Guess Who, and stolen it to market their cheap ticket sales in their fake bullshit shows. It takes away everybody’s legitimacy.”
The suit cites false advertising, violation of right of publicity, and unfair competition. Cummings and Bachman are looking for as much as $20 million.
Love, Dr. Scott James
