SHIRELLES SUE “BABY, IT’S YOU” TO STOP THE OPENING TONIGHT!

In the tradition of the the old music business where the artists are the last to get paid, it’s DeJa Vu all over again! The producers of “Baby, It’s You” didn’t bother to get permission to use the Shirelles copyrighted name and group filed suit today to stop the show from opening tonight!

By MARK KENNEDY Associated Press Drama Writer

NEW YORK April 27, 2011 (AP)

Producers of the Broadway musical “Baby, It’s You!” were slapped with a lawsuit Wednesday only hours before opening night by several musicians including Dionne Warwick and three of the four original members of The Shirelles claiming their names and likeness were used without permission.

The complaint filed in New York State’s Supreme Court alleges the producers of the musical did not get permission from Warwick, Chuck Jackson or Beverly Lee, Doris Coley Jackson and Addie Harris Jackson of The Shirelles to portray them on stage. It seeks unspecified damages.

“These national treasures were taken advantage of at the infancy of their careers,” said Oren Warshavsky, a lawyer at Baker Hostetler, which filed the lawsuit. “Now they have to watch it done to them again on stage and once more not get paid.”

Paul McGuire a representative for the show’s producers — Warner Bros. Theater Ventures Inc., Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Broadway Baby, LLC — said they had not received the lawsuit and would not comment.

The show, which stars Tony Award winner Beth Leavel, traces the career of recording executive Florence Greenberg, who discovered several acts at the dawn of rock ‘n’ roll. It features actors portraying The Shirelles, Warwick and Jackson, and performances of some of the songs they made top sellers.

The Shirelles were formed in 1958 in New Jersey and had hits with “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “Dedicated to the One I Love,” “Mama Said,” “Soldier Boy” and “Baby, It’s You.” Among the tunes for which Jackson was known: “I Don’t Want to Cry” and “Any Day Now.” Warwick’s hits include “Walk on By” and “Don’t Make Me Over.”

The musical, which has a story written by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott, began previews on March 26 and officially opens at the Broadhurst Theatre on Wednesday evening.”

For my other articles on Florence Greenberg, “BABY, IT”S YOU”, Carole King, and the Shirelles

FOR A PERSONAL TRIBUTE TO MY OLD BOSS FLORENCE GREENBERG  https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2010/04/21/a-tribute-to-florence-greenberg/

SHAME ON YOU “BABY, IT’S YOU” PRESS AGENTS https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/shame-on-you-baby-its-you-publicists/https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/shame-on-you-baby-its-you-publicists/

ON BEING THE FIRST TO HEAR “WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW” FROM CAROLE KING https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2006/09/14/aldon-music-at-1650-broadway-and-a-historic-encounter-with-carole-king/

IN THE STUDIO PRODUCING THE SHIRELLES https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2009/12/19/the-shirelles-christmas-song-mama-my-soldier-boys-coming-home/

Copyright 2011 by Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/

IF YOU WANT TO READ REAL FIRST HAND ACCOUNTS OF THE MUSIC BUSINESS BACK IN THE DAY PICK UP A COPY OF MY BOOK, “I DID IT FOR A SONG” JUST RELEASED ON SMASHWORDS! http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/53813

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