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KISS VICTORIOUS AS COURT REJECTS CLAIMS BY EX-GUITARIST
http://www.kissonline.com/news/
A lawsuit filed by Vincent Cusano p/k/a Vinnie Vincent in July 1997 in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, the founding members of the rock band KISS, and their record company, PolyGram Records, Inc. has been dismissed in its entirety. Each of Cusano's 14 separate claims for relief were rejected by the court. KISS, through its attorney's Lavely & Singer in Los Angeles and William Randolph in New York, vigorously defended against the lawsuit, and the court systematically
dismissed each of the claims, ultimately rendering judgment in favor of the band and the record company on all claims.

In a final blow to Cusano, the court awarded attorney's fees and costs in favor of KISS and against Cusano in an amount exceeding $80,000. In addition, during the pendency of the action the Court issued substantial monetary and non-monetary sanctions against Cusano and certain of his attorneys. KISS maintained from the beginning of the action that Cusano's claims lacked merit, and the judgment and award of attorney's fees, sanctions and costs in favor of the defendants underscore that point.

METALLICA Files Suit Against Napster

In other legal news, METALLICA has filed suit against napster.com, Yale University, Indiana University, and the University of Southern California, claiming copyright infringement stemming from the use of digital music. The lawsuit claims that Napster has pirated Metallica's music, and that the universities are encouraging and enabling visitors to access Napster's library of recordings without permission. "With each project, we go through a grueling creative process to achieve music that we feel is representative of Metallica at that very moment in our lives," LARS ULRICH said in a statement. "We take our craft--whether it be the music, the lyrics, or the photos and artwork--very seriously, as do most artists. It is therefore sickening to know that our art is being traded like a commodity rather than the art that it is. From a business standpoint, this is about piracy--a.k.a. taking something that doesn't belong to you; and that is morally and legally wrong. The trading of such! information--whether it's music, videos, photos, or whatever--is, in effect, trafficking in stolen goods."

THE BLACK CROWES and JIMMY PAGE Hit the Road This Summer

THE BLACK CROWES and JIMMY PAGE will kick off a summer tour on June 24 in Chicago, Illinois, running concurrently with THE WHO's summer tour (they're sharing production and crew), which will either precede or follow at the same venues and cities throughout the run. Visit www.blackcrowes.com for the full itinerary.

AEROSMITH's New Song Won't Be on Movie Soundtrack

The song AEROSMITH recorded for the upcoming movie Gone in Sixty Seconds won't be included on the soundtrack after all. While "Painted on My Heart," written by DIANE WARREN ("I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"), was targeted for the movie, but it seems the band and producers couldn't come to financial and or logistical terms. Aerosmith is currently working on songs for a new studio album, which may be produced by MATT SERLETIC.

LITA FORD to Release Greatest Hits

LITA FORD will get the Live Greatest Hits treatment by Deadline/Cleopatra, which will release the compilation in May.

RATT Showcases New Singer

RATT performed yesterday at W. Hollywood's Viper Room for a handful of invited people, most importantly, Portrait Records' JOHN KALODNER. The purpose of the showcase was to introduce the singer chosen to replace STEPHEN PEARCY, and though the pressure was on, ROBERT MASON was up to the task. Known as the second singer in LYNCH MOB and CRY OF LOVE and one-time tour backup singer for OZZY OSBOURNE, Mason has a strong, clear, bluesy voice that brought new life to the Ratt classics (plus a cover of "Walkin' the Dog") that the band played in its seven song set. Though minus fifth member KERI KELLI, currently touring with WARRANT, Ratt sounded tight and rocking on "Way Cool Jr.," "Lack of Communication," "Lay it Down," "Over the Edge," "Loving You (Is a Dirty Job)," and "Round and Round." While Mason's status is still unofficial, awaiting word from Kalodner, Ratt is already planning a tour to begin in late May

ANTHRAX Joins Maximum Rock Tour

It's official: ANTHRAX will join M�TLEY CR�E and MEGADETH on the Maximum Rock tour this summer. Anthrax, now managed by Big FD Entertainment (GUNS N' ROSES) and signed to M�tley's label Beyond, will be on the road with the package between June 24 in George, Washington and September 2 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Who will be playing lead guitar is still open to question. SNAKE SABO, who played on Anthrax's recent U.S. run, has returned to SKID ROW and previous axeman PAUL CROOK is now with SEBASTIAN BACH.

TWISTED SISTER Tribute in the Works

TWISTED SISTER will get the tribute treatment from hard rock notables including, tentatively, SEVENDUST, TYPE O NEGATIVE, ANTHRAX, SLIPKNOT, LIT, KITTIE, and MOTORHEAD, who've already recorded "Shoot 'Em Down." Twisted Sister will also participate, but covering a different band, AC/DC: "Sin City" is the designated track. Koch Records will issue the CD in the fall or early winter.

JEFF PILSON Busy Laying Tracks For New CD

With a few days off from the to-be-retitled movie Metal God, JEFF PILSON has been tracking as many songs as he can for his solo album, since he won't have much time to do that in the next month--he'll be working on the MARK WAHLBERG-JENNIFER ANISTON movie, in which he plays the bassist in the fictional Steel Dragon, until May 26, and DOKKEN heads to Europe for 10-date tour beginning June 1. Beginning June 13, of course, Dokken joins POISON, CINDERELLA and SLAUGHTER on the Power to the People tour. Jeff doesn't expect to get his CD, which has Dokken similarities but has plenty of Pilson's own strong voice and personality, out until late in the year at the earliest (he has a deal with a Japanese label but expects to line up labels to put it out elsewhere as well). Dokken's Live From the Sun comes out April 18, and the band will get to work on writing a new studio disc post-tour.

SINERGY
The forthcoming album 'To Hell And Back' has been completed with a revamped lineup - Kimberly Goss and Alexi Laiho have been joined by guitarist Roope Latvala (Waltari), bassist Marco Hietala (Tarot) and drummer Tommi Lillman (To Die For)

INCANTATION
Death drummer Richard Christy will sit behind the kit for the upcoming tour

UNIDA
The band has signed to American Recordings

VITAL REMAINS
The US tour with Incantation has been cancelled - the band's lineup is apparently still up in the air.

ASIA

I have just received word from Asia's management that the date for the band to be featured on the music network VH1 has been set. If you recall, Asia will be included in a segment of the
series "Where Are They Now?". The episode will air in the USA at 10pm [Eastern Time, I believe] on Tuesday May 2nd. Though the entire lineup for the show has not been announced, I have heard that both STYX and Alan Parsons may be featured, perhaps
with others as well..  Geffen/Universal is set to announce a press release about the forthcoming Asia 'best-of' CD. It appears as if the June 6 date is set in stone. As soon as we get clearance, the press release will be sent out.

Glenn Hughes

NEW CD - RETURN OF CRYSTAL KARMA!

The title of the forthcoming CD that Glenn Hughes and his band are finishing off right now will be "Return Of Crystal Karma." The track listing will be as follows: The State I'm In - 
Midnight Meditated - It's Alright - Switch The Mojo - Gone - The Other Side Of Me - Angela - Ode To J - This Life - Days Of  Avalon - The World Is Broken (bonus track for Japan).

Last update: April 19, 2000

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