In a complaint filed this morning in Los Angeles Superior Court, David Cassidy is seeking material damages in excess of $1 million, the amount to be determined at trial, as well as exemplary and punitive damages, against Bell Records, Arista Records and Bertelsmann Music Group.
Cassidy claims that Arista/BMG, subsequent to merging and acquiring Bell Records, materially breached Cassidy’s recording agreement. In addition, Cassidy is claiming that Arista/BMG has breached their fiduciary duty to him as a recording artist and have improperly misappropriated his name and likeness in exploiting the albums.
He claims that Bell’s number of “Best Of…” releases exceeds those permitted contractually and asks that the defendants be enjoined and restrained from manufacturing, selling or licensing any “Best Of…” releases without his consent.
Cassidy is seeking an order from the Court that his recording agreement be terminated and that Arista/BMG no longer have the right to exploit any of David Cassidy’s recordings as a solo artist or as a member of “The Partridge Family.” Cassidy is represented by Marty Singer of Lavely & Singer. This is the first lawsuit for Cassidy in his thirty year career. He has had many firsts.
Cassidy rose to fame as the star of “The Partridge Family” in 1970. His musical career broke every imaginable record. He was the highest paid concert performer of the day, he broke box office records wherever he went, sold over 20 million records, received 18 gold and platinum records, and graced everything from lunch boxes to puka shell jewelry with sales in the billions of dollars, with a fan club membership that exceeded those of the Beatles and Elvis. His recordings continue to be sought by fans throughout the world.
After very successful runs in Las Vegas starring in “EFX” at the MGM Grand, then in “At the Copa” at the Rio, Cassidy is currently on his first concert tour of the United States in over a decade. Upcoming dates include the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles and Westbury Music Fair on Long Island.
