LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Gn'R frontman Axl Rose has filed a $5 million dollar counter-suit against his former manager, Irving Azoff, claiming that the music mogul conspired to force him to reunite with his former bandmates and failed to properly boost the band's latest album "Chinese Democracy."
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the countersuit also alleges that Azoff deceived Rose about prospects for a possible tour deal with Van Halen and mishandled Guns N' Roses existing tourdates. Further allegations in Axl's countersuit raise anti-trust concerns about Azoff, stating that through a "trifecta" of control over artist management, ticketing and concert promotion, Azoff wields his power to coerce artists into following orders.
"Upon realizing that he couldn't bully Rose and accomplish his scheme, Azoff resigned and abandoned Guns N' Roses on the eve of a major tour, filing suit for commissions he didn't earn and had no right to receive." the countersuit against Azoff read.
Azoff had initially filed a suit against his former client Axl Rose in March, claiming that Rose failed live to up to an oral agreement that entitled Azoff to nearly $2 million in commissions from an international tour.
Azoff and his influential management company Front Line rep a potent roster featuring artists such as The Eagles, Christina Aguilera and John Mayer. Front Line was acquired by ticketing giant Ticketmaster in 2008 which then merged with Live Nation earlier this year to form Live Nation Entertainment.
Azoff declined to comment on the countersuit but his attorney told the Hollywood Reporter "He didn't accuse Irving of being on the grassy knoll in Dallas on November 22, 1963?" – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
