They Fought the Law : Rock Music Goes to Court

by Stan Soocher

It's Perry Mason-meets-Billy Joel in this account of the most famous lawsuits in rock history. They Fought the Law traces the difficulties rockers have faced dealing with bad contracts, personnel problems, litigious fans, and crooked managers and accountants. While it's the music that counts, the music-makers are often robbed of their rightful share of the profits that the music creates - and may spend decades sorting out ill-considered contracts signed in the heat of their early careers. This book pulls back the veil on the often shady business practices that characterize the rock world - and shows how some courageous artists have fought the system and won. Based on firsthand accounts, interviews with the participants, and detailed study of court records and documents, Stan Soocher brings new light to the often tangled legal problems faced by rock artists. In doing so, he shows another - less-glamorous - side of the rock business.

252 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1998

Reviews

[Tom Schulte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertainment attorney Stan Soocher often bogs down his stories in this book with a microscopic analysis of relevant jurisprudence. Still, They Fought The Law emerges as a fascinating and historical look of pop music and the law. Two lessons can be garnered here: 1) Behind every successful entertainer is a crook stealing his or her money, and 2) The creation of music enjoys strong First Amendment protection that is repeatedly tested and delineated. Thievery is exposed as hampering the accumulation of wealth by Elvis Presley, Billy Joel, George Michael, and The Beatles. The Shirelles just get taken, with very little left over to show for it. 2 Live Crew earn themselves two chapters. In Luther Campbell defends his pornographic lyrics, and in the other his use of Roy Orbison's "Pretty Woman." Michael Jackson fights a battle to prove he is the author of his own songs and Judas Priest battle to prove their songs do not promote suicide. They Fought The Law is required reading for career musicians or would be career musicians, and of interest to all seeking elucidation on the legal mechanisms behind music industry court conflicts.

[tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Billy Joel chapter almost as boring as his music, but thankfully it picks up as you go on. 2 Live Crew chapters the most interesting.