As recently reported, ex-members Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman have filed a lawsuit against the Guess Who and original members Jim Kale and Garry Peterson in Los Angeles federal court for the band’s name for touring and recording.
In a press release, Bachman and Cummings claimed that the current lineup, which only includes Peterson from the classic band, has used the band’s name, their photos, and the music they played without getting the right permissions. Randy said:
“Burton [Cummings] 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. Anyone presenting and promoting themselves as the Guess Who are clones who are ripping off our fans and tainting the legacy of the band. It’s about time for the real story to come out.”
Cummings’ Words On The Lawsuit
Burton also shared his views on the issue in the press release, explaining:
“With this lawsuit, Randy [Bachman] and I hope to set the record straight and protect fans from imposters trying to rewrite history. Even after we’re gone, the legacy of the Guess Who will live on, and we want to make sure that legacy is restored and preserved truthfully.”
Allegations And Charges In The Lawsuit
The lawsuit includes charges of false advertising, unfair competition, and violating the right of publicity. Cummings and Bachman are looking to receive up to $20 million in damages. The case says that songs created by Bachman and Cummings were used to promote the Guess Who’s current lineup without the right licenses, among other accusations.
The current Guess Who’s actions are claimed to have harmed the band’s reputation and made it difficult for Burton and Randy to set up concerts in the U.S. Along with the millions in damages they’re seeking, the pair wants the court to make Jim Kale and Peterson clarify that Bachman and Cummings are not part of the group when advertising shows for the current band.
