PAY-OUT 1986!
SEX PISTOLS GET THEIR MONEY
JANUARY
16, 1986
£lm PAY-OUT FOR SEX PISTOLS
THE surviving
Sex Pistols are to share a bumper £lm pay-out following their former manager
Malcolm McLarens sudden withdrawal yesterday from a High Court battle over
royalties. The money has accumulated since 1979 when a receiver was appointed
to the company set up by McLaren to exploit the punk group.
In an action launched
on Monday, McLaren and his companies Glitterbest and Matrixbest challenged the
claim of group members Johnny Rotten, now known as Lydon, drummer Paul Cook and
guitarist Steve Jones to the cash.
Overdose
They
were supported by Mrs. Anne Beverley mother of Sid Vicious, who died from a drugs
overdose in New York in January, 1979 aged 21.
She
claimed on behalf of his estate.
McLaren
and the companies said they were entitled to a share for their work as agents
and managers.
But
Lydons counsel Mr. John McDonnell QC, told Mr. Justice Mervyn Davies that
McLaren had agreed to hand over control of the companies to the group and withdraw
his claim in return for not having to pay their costs.
The
receiver was discharged and the money can now be handed over to the group and
shared out.
McLaren
left the court before the result was announced.
But
an ecstatic Lydon, who has spikey orange hair, said: Its
mine, all mine.
Its
absurd that he forced us to come to court. Im very pleased and can now get
back to making music.
He
has a new single out called Rise and a new album planned.
The
receiver had been appointed to look after the affairs of Glitterbest after fears
that large amounts due to the musicians were being used for a film.
(The
Star, January 17, 1986)
Ex-manager hands over £1 million to the punks from the '70s
Pistols hit bullseye
Rotten
and Co agree to a fortune out of court
By
JANE ADAMS
JOHNNY
ROTTEN rubbed his hands with glee yesterday after receiving share of
a £1 million.
The
lead singer of outrageous 70s punk band The Sex Pistols had won the money
from former manager Malcolm McLaren. Lots of lovely cash and its
all mine, said the spikey-haired singer. Now Ive got to get
over the sheer joy of it all.
Rotten,
drummer Paul Cook, guitarist Steve Jones and the mother of dead bass guitarist
Sid Vicious had sued McLaren In the High Court for royalties they claim he withheld.
McLaren
said the money belonged to two companies, Glitterbest and Matrixbest which promoted
the group.
Swindle
Yesterdays
victory for Rotten and Co. was reached out of court after the case had been going
on for two days.
The
deal means that McLaren has handed over Glitterbest and Matrixbest to the Pistols.
They
also now own the groups name and the bad taste movie made by McLaren
The Great Rock and Roll Swindle.
Lawyers
are now working out how the money is to be divided and which creditors still
have a claim.
Refused
Rotten,
real name John Lydon, said: I dont have any particular feelings about
McLarenexcept to say he should never have done it. Its absurd.
McLaren
left stony-faced within minutes of the settlement and headed back to America without
commenting.
SidViciouss
mother Ann Beverley, who found him dead In bed in a New York flat In 1979, also
refused to comment.
(The
Daily Mail, January 17, 1986)
God
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