Allman Brothers Sue UMG

Despite a steady stream of live recordings to keep up record sales with an original album every decade or so for solidarity’s sake, it’s no doubt that royalties are the Allman Brothers true bread and butter.

Despite a steady stream of live recordings to keep up record sales with an original album every decade or so for solidarity’s sake, it’s no doubt that royalties are the Allman Brothers true bread and butter. So in the spirit of just “tryin’ to make a livin’ and doin’ the best I can,” what’s left of the band’s original lineup—Greg Allman, Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson, Butch Trucks and Dickey Betts—has sued Universal Music Group for upwards of $10 million. The lawsuit concerns CD sales, and revenue from ringtones and digital download services such as iTunes that the band says UMG has had a “wanton disregard” when it comes to divvying up their fair share of the profits. For those songs recorded while on the now defunct Capricorn Records label between their debut in 1969 up until 1980—the lion’s share of hits, including “Jessica,” “Ramblin’ Man” and “Midnight Rider”—the Allman Brothers claim they have been drastically underpaid.

After PolyGram records took over Capricorn in 1979 and assumed responsibility for the label’s catalog, an agreement was reached, which Universal later bought out, that said the band would be paid half of the profits from record sales by third parties—i.e. iTunes and other commercial usage. Since suit was filed in Manhattan this Monday, it will likely be awhile before the issue is resolved. Meanwhile, stick it out guys, you’ve at least got one more silver dollar, right?