The Guess Who Has Been Receiving “Legal Threats” From Former Members
via Live Rock Now / Youtube
Disappointment filled the air for The Guess Who fans as news broke about a string of cancelled concerts. The iconic Canadian rockers, whose anthems like “American Woman” and “Takin’ Care of Business” have transcended generations, were forced to abruptly halt their tour.
While the reason remained shrouded in mystery for a short while, a tweet from the band’s official page offered a glimpse into the situation. It hinted at “legal threats” regarding the publishing rights to some of their most beloved songs.
This unexpected legal wrangling has thrown a wrench into The Guess Who’s touring plans, leaving fans wondering – what exactly is going on, and will this legal battle prevent them from experiencing the band’s electrifying live shows in the future?
The Guess Who Looks to the Future with Plein D’Amour
The Guess Who’s recent social media post didn’t just address the cancelled shows. The band offered a glimmer of positivity for their fans by showcasing their latest creative endeavors. Acknowledging the ongoing situation, they expressed their appreciation for the unwavering support.
Turning their focus to the future, the tweet highlighted their recently released studio album, Plein D’Amour. Released on June 30th, 2023, via Deko Entertainment, the album represents a fresh chapter for the band. The Guess Who even extended an invitation to fans, encouraging them to delve deeper into the new music.
“In the meantime, our new album Plein D’Amour along with eight new videos of those songs can be enjoyed on our social media and website,” the post reads. This suggests a potential shift in focus for the band, promoting their new work while navigating the current legal issues.
Cummings Takes Drastic Action to Stop “Fake” Guess Who
Burton Cummings, former vocalist of The Guess Who, has taken a significant legal step in an attempt to halt the current lineup of the band from performing.
Cummings revoked the copyright permission for the band to perform some of their most iconic hits, including “American Woman”, “These Eyes”, and “No Time”. This move effectively prevents the current Guess Who from playing these songs in their concerts.
Cummings defends his stance by stating, “I’m willing to do anything to stop the fake band; they’re taking [Bachman and my] life story and pretending it’s theirs.” The former frontman feels the current lineup is misleading fans by implying a connection to the band’s original members.
Cummings goes as far as calling them a “cover band” and feels strongly that they shouldn’t “act like” they wrote the songs. He emphasizes that this action won’t prevent them from performing, but simply restricts them from playing the songs he wrote.
Furthermore, he threatens legal repercussions if they defy him: “If the songs are performed by the fake Guess Who, they will be sued for every occurrence.”
https://twitter.com/BeaconPurple/status/1211940478582738944
“It’s About Time For The Real Story to Come Out”
In October last year, Cummings and guitarist Randy Bachman filed a lawsuit against the band, aiming to prevent them from using the iconic name “The Guess Who”. This lawsuit has been met with resistance, but according to recent reports, a judge has rejected the current band’s attempt to dismiss the case.
Both Cummings and Bachman have publicly voiced their strong stance on the issue. Bachman emphasized their role in creating the band’s legacy: “Burton and I are the ones who wrote the songs and made the records. It’s Burton’s voice and my guitar playing on those albums.”
He feels the current lineup is misleading fans and tarnishing the band’s history by presenting themselves as “The Guess Who”. Bachman concludes with a desire for clarity: “It’s about time for the real story to come out.”
Cummings echoed Bachman’s sentiment, focusing on protecting the band’s legacy and the fans. He stated, “With this lawsuit, Randy [Bachman] and I hope to set the record straight and protect fans from imposters trying to rewrite history.” Their goal seems to be ensuring the band’s true story is preserved for future generations of fans.
