Sorry if it has been posted before ....

12:28 PM 1/31/2011 by Eriq Gardner


The battle between Live Nation and its ex-chairman Michael Cohl is heating up.

In November, the music giant sued Cohl for $5.35 million for allegedly breaching the terms of an agreement made at the time he left the company. Now Cohl has struck back, saying that it was Live Nation that first breached the very same contract by attempting to "interfere" and "destroy" Cohl's opportunity to procure promotional rights to a Rolling Stones tour later this year.

Cohl is famous in the entertainment business for his promotional endeavors. He is credited with inventing the modern rock tour and has recently gained much attention for producing Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark, the most expensive Broadway musical ever. In 2008, Cohl left Live Nation amid a feud with CEO Michael Rapino over the direction of the company.

When Cohl left in 2008, he signed a financial agreement that spelled out how exactly he would compete against Live Nation going forward. Cohl was to pay $9.85 million in installments to Live Nation in return for various assets, including a non-compete exemption to continue working with and promoting tours by the Stones, Pink Floyd and Barbara Streisand.

Live Nation sued Cohl for allegedly failing to pay $5.35 million in the 2008 agreement. But Cohl says that Live Nation never lived up to its side of the deal.

Last February, Live Nation sent Cohl a letter informing him that it was going to bid against Cohl for the Rolling Stones' next concert tour, which hadn't yet been announced. The company followed up with an e-mail stating that Cohl could still pursue the band's tour, but only through a joint venture. Live Nation also wanted Cohl to detail his negotiations with the Rolling Stones, which Cohl says would give Live Nation key info that could be used to undercut his own bid.

Later, Live Nation allegedly proposed competing separately for a Rolling Stones tour. Cohl says the proposal amounted to a breach of his contract with his former employer. Cohl says he paid Live Nation $20 million for the right to not bid against the company for the Rolling Stones tour, to have Live Nation finance the tour, to have Live Nation perform the services of "Executive Global Promoter" of the tour, and to receive two-thirds of the promoter's profits from the tour.

The Rolling Stones tour later this year is expected to be one of the biggest in concert history. It's the 50th anniversary for the band, which through the years has enjoyed a number of financially lucrative tours.

Cohl calls promotional rights on this upcoming tour "the crown jewel" of the agreement he made with Live Nation in 2008. He says the value of this asset would have more than accounted for the $5 million he owes the company. In other words, Cohl implies that Live Nation would have gotten its money if it hadn't been the first to breach the agreement.

Cohl's countersuit also reveals that members of the Rolling Stones, including Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, have been informed by both parties of the "spat" and that they have expressed a desire not to get dragged into the middle of the dispute. But Cohl says the fuss is causing damage anyway. Live Nation has attempted to hurt his standing with the band's representatives, maintains Cohl.

A spokesperson for Live Nation wasn't immediately available for comment.





I am a Frenchie ,as Mick affectionately called them in the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1977 .

awesome hopefully neither cohl or live nation get them,, maybe somebody who is a actuall fan will promote,, and make it a good show

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northernale1
awesome hopefully neither cohl or live nation get them,, maybe somebody who is a actuall fan will promote,, and make it a good show

Exactly, I hope the parties kill the chances of each other, and the band leaves both of them behind with new, fresher concepts. Wish-talk I know...

Namely, this bloody passage tells it all - the same old show, the same old song (and one can only imagine how much 'better' the 'key' players will be now than the last time):

The Rolling Stones tour later this year is expected to be one of the biggest in concert history. It's the 50th anniversary for the band, which through the years has enjoyed a number of financially lucrative tours.

- Doxa



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2011-01-31 22:38 by Doxa.

.....you should hope this fight is settled. The Stones really like Cohl...he's made them guaranteed money for quite a while (and a lot of it) and he knows exactly what it takes to get them on board and going.

What a bunch of greedy, money hungry creeps...Good way to destroy any chance of a REAL RnR show...Maybe the boys will crawl out from under this filth, and play some gigs for the people who still know what it is all about...I'm not holding my breath tho...

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Rip This
.....you should hope this fight is settled. The Stones really like Cohl...he's made them guaranteed money for quite a while (and a lot of it) and he knows exactly what it takes to get them on board and going.

There is is much 'funny' hoping to to do to get one rock and roll band to play some concerts. Everytime I go to sleep I send my prayers to dear lord that the world economy will be doing fine soon to make it possible for my beloved rock band to tour again. Now I pray dear lord that Mr. Cohl and his ex-company can settle their argument to make it possible for my beloved rock band to tour.

But there is one little bastard in me who thinks that if playing music is so difficult or disgusting that it is only possible under those very conditions, gentlemen, please do not bother and make a favor, remain retired.

- Doxa



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2011-02-01 00:31 by Doxa.

in a perfect world perhaps...but they are entertainers...maybe the best ever and they want...no check that...demand that they are paid more than anyone else. That may leave them open for criticism (all kinds) but whatever one has to say... Cohl has delivered and the tours have run pretty smoothly.

This alleged dispute would certainly explain the inactivity. Like it or not folks, money and attorneys rule the world. Even our precious Rolling Stones-fan world.

Forget the small club tour, forget the few dates in few cities tour, forget the back to basics tour. The next tour will be HUGE!

Is this the real reason there has been no news as to a tour?

Hasn't Cohl destroyed everything he touches on his own?
Why would LiveNation need to pile on as well?

Merci, Swaystones.

So that's what's going on. The big dogs are fighting over the stones. Who do you think will win? Live Nation or Cohl? It seems that they aren't getting along at all but their commun interest could lead them to $$ettle down and work together for the last Rolling $tone$ tour.
Rock and Roll,
Mops

SwayStones, can you please post the original link from the article. Thank you

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Keep On Rolling

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Rip This
.....you should hope this fight is settled. The Stones really like Cohl...he's made them guaranteed money for quite a while (and a lot of it) and he knows exactly what it takes to get them on board and going.

I've emphasised the bit in bold thats exactly what it takes to get them on board.

It speaks volumes that fans are OK that this is the only thing that does...

[www.iorr.org]

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Gazza

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Rip This
.....you should hope this fight is settled. The Stones really like Cohl...he's made them guaranteed money for quite a while (and a lot of it) and he knows exactly what it takes to get them on board and going.

I've emphasised the bit in bold thats exactly what it takes to get them on board.

It speaks volumes that fans are OK that this is the only thing that does...

...Pandoras Box

I wish Bill Graham was still alive to promote the tour.

Or Harvey Weinstein would forget about movies for a year or 2 and return to his concert roots. I believe he promoted both Stones shows in Buffalo, including the tour closer in 1975, then 1978 and 1981. He started as a college concert promoter, then promoted a zillion acts in the 70s and had a great reputation. He then left concerts and got into movies.

Pick your poison.

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buffalo7478
Or Harvey Weinstein would forget about movies for a year or 2 and return to his concert roots. I believe he promoted both Stones shows in Buffalo, including the tour closer in 1975, then 1978 and 1981. He started as a college concert promoter, then promoted a zillion acts in the 70s and had a great reputation. He then left concerts and got into movies.

Because there was more money in movies. Money is always first, second comes some money, and third is less money.

The beautiful Swedish singer Meja has something to say about this:

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Rolling Hansie
SwayStones, can you please post the original link from the article. Thank you

Here's the article -
[www.hollywoodreporter.com]

Thanks triplelicks

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Keep On Rolling

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Gazza

It speaks volumes that fans are OK that this is the only thing that does...

...what do you suggest we do about it, Gazza??

I for my part, go to a rock'n'roll show to enjoy the MUSIC -
and up till now, the Stones have never let me down.
Maybe I was 'lucky'; who can or will say...
But I DO know for sure that I'm hard to please - you bet ya.

And I especially don't give a hoot about what's going on behind any scene;
and I don't feel angry or envyous or ... because of any money that is earned behind those scenes.
If a show is too expensive for my taste, I won't go - end of story.

["I can hear the Bullfrog calling me..."]

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Rolling Hansie
SwayStones, can you please post the original link from the article. Thank you

I forgot to post it,sorry !
Here it is :

[www.daylife.com]



I am a Frenchie ,as Mick affectionately called them in the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1977 .

Even if there would be WAR betwenn Michael Cohl and Live Nation over a Rolling Stones Tour it's only fixed if the four lads are willing to go on Tour again at all.
I am quite surprised by Charlie's Jazz activities although he always mentions in every interview how he dislikes travelling and being on tour. Not that I mind him doing his Jazz outings as I am sure there are wonderful nights.
At this stage I just do not believe that any insurance company would take the risk covering a Stones Tour, besides the arguments of ticket prices.
I don't think that economy wise the Stones would pay attention to it, but they would surely pay attention if any other major gig would announce a Tour at the same time.

Thanks SwayStones

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Keep On Rolling

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MississippiBullfrog

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Gazza

It speaks volumes that fans are OK that this is the only thing that does...

...what do you suggest we do about it, Gazza??

I for my part, go to a rock'n'roll show to enjoy the MUSIC -
and up till now, the Stones have never let me down.
Maybe I was 'lucky'; who can or will say...
But I DO know for sure that I'm hard to please - you bet ya.

And I especially don't give a hoot about what's going on behind any scene;
and I don't feel angry or envyous or ... because of any money that is earned behind those scenes.
If a show is too expensive for my taste, I won't go - end of story.

Thats it on a nutshell. Personally, when any act wont play a note unless theyve been offered a few million quid a NIGHT to do so, then their motives for doing what they profess to love doing are questionable to say the least. The ability to still entertain isnt up for debate - whether their hearts are in it is another matter.

Whether thats still enough to get a ticket buyer excited, well thats a question of personal taste.

Well,l guess we must get ready for another Vegas tour,full of fireworks,big stages,and warhorses,and costing fans,lots of money,but yeah they will only do it for the "love of their fans".><

"No dope smoking no beer sold after 12 o'clock"

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northernale1
awesome hopefully neither cohl or live nation get them,, maybe somebody who is a actuall fan will promote,, and make it a good show

So you think K&M have been manipulated by Cohl during all these years, and they've let the band go Vegas... I think K&M have been approving Cohl's suggestions.

They need the Evil Canadian, and they won't tour without him.

This is interesting seeing the business side of Rock And Roll these days. It's definately not the sixties anymore. However I still believe The Stones can still make great music. I hope we will have it.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha -

WHAT TOUR?