Posted by adam on Friday, September 21, 2007 at 6:30 PM (EDT)
Drummer Richard Reinhardt has filed suit against a number of digital retailers claiming that the companies lack permission to sell downloads of songs he wrote for the Ramones. The former Richie Ramone claims that his music publisher never had the right to authorize distribution of the six songs he contributed to the pioneering punk band's catalogue. The suit names the estate of late guitarist Johnny Ramone, Ramones Productions Inc, and their music publisher as defendants alongside digital retailers Apple, Wal-Mart, and RealNetworks. Reuters is reporting that Reinhardt is seeking at least $900,000 in damages, all profits the defendants made from the songs, and a permanent injunction prohibiting the defendants from using the songs in the future.
Richie joined the band for the Subterranean Jungle tour of 1983 and stayed with the band through three studio albums and nearly 500 live shows, parting ways with the group in 1987. The songs he wrote included "Humankind" (from Too Tough to Die), "Smash You" (the b-side to the "Howling at the Moon (Sha-La-La)" single), "Somebody Put Something in My Drink" (from Animal Boy), "(You) Can't Say Anything Nice" (the b-side to the "Somebody Put Something in My Drink" single), "I'm Not Jesus," and "I Know Better Now" (both from Halfway to Sanity). He sang lead vocals on "(You) Can't Say Anything Nice." Ramones (51 comments)
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TheOneTrueBill (September 21, 2007)
Richie is probably my favorite Ramone. 3+ Replies
Shindo (adam) (September 21, 2007)
Who knew that six latter day Ramones songs were worth nearly a million dollars... 1+ Reply
TrueBeliever (September 21, 2007)
The only song out of those six that I actually like is "Howling At The Moon (Sha-La-La)" 4+ Replies
OctEgon (September 21, 2007)
Uh oh, looks like Tito Ramone, the least known of all the Ramones, is going to file a suit next.
the_problem_with_fire (September 21, 2007)
can someone recommend me any good books about vivisection, specifically within the cosmetic/medicine industries? 2+ Replies
Dante3000 (rich) (September 21, 2007)
Wow, if he wins $900,000 for six shitty songs, imagine how much that guy from Oregon who wrote American Idiot is going to make. 4+ Replies
branden (September 21, 2007)
"i know better now" is definitely one of my total ramones favorites. it is over-serious, but it is also intense.
thomas7155 (September 21, 2007)
I just realized something. every Punk/HC band I listen to has something in common with the band Good Riddance: 2+ Replies
elliot (September 21, 2007)
I can't believe he would want to claim "I'm Not Jesus" as one of his songs. That shit is easily one of the most poorly written songs ever. 1+ Reply
cort (September 21, 2007)
my friends' uncle is this guy. true story. their mom brought out signed records of animal boy and too tough to die signed by all of them. one of the more badass moments of my life.
CapnHawk (September 21, 2007)
Doesn't surprise me. This is the dude that left the band because he wasnt getting a cut of t-shirt sales(coz his name wasn't on em)
punkbytheounce (September 22, 2007)
Somebody Put Something in my Drink is the only really good song on this list. 1+ Reply
JerryCola (September 22, 2007)
So what does he have against people downloading the songs from pay sites and listening to them?
pleasekillyourself (September 22, 2007)
don't get me wrong... i love the ramones, but pretty much every guy in this band except for cj and in some cases joey were and are complete douchebags. | Features
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Hey, look! A lawsuit where Victory isn't involved!