Recent reports have revealed that metal outfit Megadeth’s famed frontman Dave Mustaine has allegedly agreed to pay the band’s former manager a whopping $1.4 million to end the latter’s lawsuit against him. The agreement comes after the ex-manager launched litigation against Mustaine. The suit accuses the metal icon of not paying him commissions that were owed after he was fired.
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The former manager’s attorney recently released a statement saying that while he was “displeased” about having to sue Mustaine, he was satisfied with the settlement payment.
There is still an unresolved countersuit floating around out there, too. Mustaine filed that suit against the manager in question. It alleges “continuous and repeated management failures throughout their professional relationship with Mustaine and Megadeth.” It’s not clear what will come of that lawsuit now that Mustaine has agreed to pay out the former manager.
Why Did Megadeth’s Ex-Manager Launch a Lawsuit Against Dave Mustaine and the Band?
The suit was filed in June of last year. It was launched by Cory Brennan, the ex-manager in question, and his management company Five B Artist Management. The organization claimed that Mustaine approached them in 2014 for management services to help “get [his] career back on track”.
According to Brennan, both he and Mustaine had a rapport from when Brennan worked with Sanctuary Records. That company produced three different records for Megadeth and Mustaine, respectively.
Allegedly, during phone calls and meetings, the two agreed that Five B would manage Mustaine’s career in exchange for a 15% commission on all of his sales.
“Mustaine also agreed to reimburse Brennan and Five B for all customary costs they incurred to render their management services, including travel and other management-related expenses,” the lawsuit reads.
The management company and Brennan began managing Mustaine’s music career in 2015 for nearly nine years. According to the suit, the company helped “re-establish his band, Megadeth, as one of the greatest metal bands of all time.” The suit also notes that the management company “looked out” for Mustaine’s health, well-being, and image. They also alleged that they managed his “personal and professional conflicts”.
While Five B was managing Megadeth, the band won its very first Grammy award.
The suit notes that despite their successful partnership, Mustaine suddenly fired Brennan and Five B for “no reason” and stopped paying commissions to the management company, which went against their initial contract.
Megadeth recently wrapped up their Destroy All Enemies Tour with All That Remains and Mudvayne, and it isn’t clear if they will be working with a new management company in the wake of the lawsuit for their next tour.
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