The Beach Boys are threatening to sue a UK auction house over a sale of memorabilia, including original arrangement sheets for 'Good Vibrations' and 'God Only Knows', Brian Wilson and Mike Love's contract for the hit 'Do It Again', and personal photographs of the band with late Beatle George Harrison, all of which they say were stolen from the band.
Representatives for the band and their label, Brothers Records, said they would sue auction house Cooper Owen, the vendor they represent and anyone who buys one of the items up for sale because they are convinced the goods in question were stolen. They confirmed that US police are currently investigating their allegations, and added: "The FBI and Interpol may also become involved in the investigation."
But Cooper Owen Managing director John Collins denied that the memorabilia his company was auctioning off were stolen. He told the BBC that he had spoken to the band about their allegations, but added: "They have offered no evidence so we have no reason to stop the auction at the moment. The vendor vigorously denies the claims. He is furious as he bought the items at a sale by a Beach Boys representative who was clearing out junk around 25 years ago."
Collins added that his company were consulting their lawyers about the sale, and might consider countersuit legal action against the band.