A strange incident involving a cover band led to Metallica suddenly dismissing their attorney.
Metallica, hailed as a music icon, stands as one of the most cherished and revered heavy metal bands of all time. Billboard reports their staggering sales of over 58 million records in the US alone. Since their inception in 1981, the band has left an indelible mark on rock music, introducing timeless classics like "Enter Sandman" and "Master of Puppets," among other top-ranking tracks on Spotify, to audiences spanning multiple generations.
In 2009, Metallica achieved a significant milestone by being inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, marking a reflective moment for the band as they pondered their remarkable journey. However, what many fans may not realize is that Metallica's roots trace back to their early days as a cover band before they transitioned to writing original compositions. Despite their evolution, the band has always respected their humble beginnings.
In 2016, a peculiar legal issue involving a Metallica cover band triggered a substantial decision for the band. Metallica, renowned worldwide and with a vast following of fans and tribute artists, often finds its material covered by other musicians. However, what caught attention was when a Metallica cover band named Sandman purportedly received a cease and desist letter, allegedly issued by Metallica themselves. The letter demanded that Sandman cease using a logo similar to Metallica's and take other specified actions, threatening legal action if these demands weren't met. This unexpected legal confrontation led Metallica to take decisive action, resulting in the termination of their attorney's services.
Upon discovering the cease and desist letter, Metallica members were stunned. Rolling Stone reported that the responsibility for issuing the letter lay not with the band themselves, but with their "overzealous attorney." Naturally, Metallica felt a mixture of frustration and disappointment upon learning of the incident, particularly as they reflected on their own beginnings as a cover band before their meteoric rise to fame.
In an effort to reconcile with Sandman, Metallica addressed the incident publicly through Rolling Stone. They acknowledged the grievances of the Canadian Metallica tribute band and delved into the matter, discovering the root cause. Expressing surprise and regret, Metallica revealed that they were oblivious to the cease and desist letter until it emerged online. They expressed gratitude to Sandman for bringing it to their attention and revealed that the letter had been sent by an overly enthusiastic attorney without their consent.
Metallica further emphasized their appreciation for cover bands in their official statement to Rolling Stone, underlining their respect and admiration for musicians who pay homage to their music.
Additionally, Metallica advised Sandman to disregard the cease and desist letter, suggesting they dispose of it in the trash and continue with their endeavors. They disclosed that they promptly terminated their attorney upon learning about the situation. Adding a touch of humor, Metallica quipped that their attorney could now be found at San Francisco International Airport, departing for a permanent ice fishing trip in Alaska.
According to Metal Injection, Lars Ulrich, Metallica's drummer, personally reached out to Sandman to grant them permission to continue performing and sharing cover videos. Moreover, a resolution was reached between Sandman and Metallica, permitting the tribute band to license Metallica's logo for a nominal fee of only $1 per year, as reported by Louder. Remarkably, Metallica even covered the licensing fee themselves!
Comments
Post a Comment