Dave Mustaine agreed to pay $1.4 million to settle claims of unpaid commissions with his former manager, Cory Brennan, Billboard recently reported.
Brennan’s lawyer, Howard King, said in a statement that his client was ‘displeased at having to sue an artist’ but was ‘gratified’ by the outcome.
“Dave Mustaine, who has a known history of firing advisors, terminated ‘Five B’ Artist Management after 9 years of their having resurrected his failing career,” King explained.
“Ignoring the success ‘Five B’ had helped Dave achieve, including a campaign to help him win his first Grammy, the release of two hit albums, and the elevation of his touring from small clubs back to arenas and amphitheaters, Dave simply refused to pay commissions owing and forced ‘Five B’ to file a lawsuit.”
While the settlement resolved the commission dispute, Mustaine’s counterclaim about Brennan’s management mistakes continues.
Mustaine claimed last year that Brennan’s mismanagement harmed his career and at one point caused damage to his hearing.
Lawyer Richard Busch stated in a complaint that the manager also failed to collect revenues that were due to Mustaine. This included song-writing credits and royalties for Metallica songs that the singer had a role in creating.
The legal battle spent months in the discovery process since the early filings. So far, no decisions have been made on its merit.
Mustaine’s case against Brennan, accusing him of breach of contract and negligence, will eventually move to trial.
