(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Jonathan Richman and his band Modern Lovers are suing Sanctuary Records, Bomp Records, and record producer Kim Fowley for the rights to their recordings, which includes singles “Roadrunner” and “Pablo Picasso”. The band claims that they have not received royalties for their music in 30 years.
In a suit filed on January 14 in Superior Court of California in Los Angeles, Richman, Jerry Harrison, David Robinson and Ernie Brooks, the original Modern Lovers, charge unjust enrichment, failure to pay royalties, and breach of contract.
The band is looking for repayment of royalties, as well as the return of all master recordings of the band and Richman’s solo material.
The recordings, produced by John Cale, Alan Mason and Robert Appere, have been passed from original contract holder Warner Bros. Records to Beserkley Records. They have changed hands two more times since, and are now owned by Sanctuary Group.
The suit alleges that Sanctuary has released three albums and licensed the music for film, television, and compilations, but has not recognized the group with royalties for any of it. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
