Cover versions and royalties

[seanmd]

I often sit and listen to reggae covers of old mainstream or soul classics, or in some instances where a reggae tune has blatantly ripped off a mainstream commercial tune, Johnny Clarke's Peace and Love in the Ghetto comes to mind where it used the bass line and the 'Clean it up' line from the Philadelphia All Stars Lets Clean up the Ghetto.

Anyway, I wonder if the original artists or record companies etc ever come looking for royalties. I know that Charlie Rich came after Joe Gibbs and virtually bankrupted him. But I've never really heard about anything else similar.

[Return of Jesco]

"Blatantly ripped off" - you mean "creatively reinterpreted" surely seanmd. There's a lot of examples, but I really wouldn't want to go there!

[Dave K]

Lawyers only come out when there is money to be made, and most reggae covers don't sell enough to make it worth their while to start legal procedings.

Charlie Rich "came after" Joe Gibbs when the June Lodge song hit the European charts, and as you point out, knocked Crzy Joe out of business for a while. He started a supermarket on North Parade (with ET working the shelves) before he made his comeback as a producer.

But it works both ways. Producer Harry J tried to sue the Staple Singers for lifting the basis of "The Liquidator" for their hit "I'll Take You There". He lost, even though anyone with ears can hear the similarities. Not only that, but the drummer on the Staples session, Al Jackson, used to vacation in Jamaica, and was fascinated with Jamaican riddims.

One of the biggest lawsuits was over copyright (copywrong!) was when Musical Youth had a hit with "Pass the Dutchie". Claims, and resolutions, were made and paid to both The Mighty Diamonds (as they did "Pass The Koutchie",), but it was based on a riddim laid at Studio One called "Full Up". The Mittoo estate claimed royalties on that riddim, even though people who were in the studio claim that it was Robbie Lyn who actually played keyboards.

That's just an example of how truly complicated this stuff is to sort out. People only make an attempt when there is significant money at stake, which wouldn't be the case with the aforementioned Johnny Clarke tune.

[seanmd]

"Blatantly ripped off" - you mean "creatively reinterpreted" surely seanmd. There's a lot of examples, but I really wouldn't want to go there!

Creatively re-interpreted is a much better description.

[Dave K]

"Blatantly ripped-off" is something a lawyer for the plaintiff would say. It suggests intent. Most musicians would see it as paying homage.

By that logic, there is a delta bluesman who first played the I-IV-V chord progression whose estate should be worth trillions of dollars by now.

[seanmd]

I'm definitely not a lawyer, but my ex wife was!! Think about that!

Is Full Up the same cut as that used on Africa Here I Come by Freddie Mcgregor, thats dripping with hammond organ, I've only got it on a 10" so there's no credits.

[6anbatte]

Is Full Up the same cut as that used on Africa Here I Come by Freddie Mcgregor, thats dripping with hammond organ, I've only got it on a 10" so there's no credits.

Yes, it is.

[Dave K]

I'm definitely not a lawyer, but my ex wife was!! Think about that!

I am glad that you lived to tell the tale!