People in New Jersey may be interested to learn about the legal developments of heavy metal singer Rob Halford. Rob Halford is the lead singer for the British heavy metal band Judas Priest. Recently Halford’s longtime manager John Baxter sued Halford and the other members of Judas Priest for breach of contract. Like many contracts in the entertainment world the focus of the suit is on commissions.
Halford’s longtime manager is suing him, the band and the band’s management team for breach of contract, fraud and intentional interference with contractual relations. The lawsuit asks for $50 million in damages.
John Baxter had been Rob Halford’s personal manager since 1982 and was Halford’s manager until August of this year when he was fired. In August, Baxter claims he discovered that Halford owed him money for breach of contract related to the failure to pay commissions, salary and expenses all the way back to 1992.
Baxter alleges that Halford purposely misled him when Halford said he was not able to pay Baxter but promised to pay Baxter in the future.
Baxter’s attorney said the decision to fire Baxter is related to the retiring of Judas Priest as a band. The group announced a farewell tour last December. Baxter’s attorney said the current management team for the band wants to work with Halford when he goes solo and the band’s management team would not be able to directly work with Halford if Baxter remained.
The lawyer who sent Baxter’s termination letter said the relationship between Baxter and the other parties soured and as a result he was let go.
Source: Rolling Stone, “Rob Halford’s longtime manager suing him for breach of contract,” Pamela Chelin, Nov. 2, 2011