The former managers of INXS are suing the band for A$7.75 million over allegations that they devised the Rock Star reality series but that they were sacked without remuneration back in 2004 as the project began to gain momentum. Rock Star - a televised search for a new front man for the band - aired on US TV last summer and the band are now recording and touring with the winner, Canadian JD Fortune.
Sydney-based David Edwards and Michael Murchison are suing the band and their company INXS Productions through the New South Wales Supreme Court. The lawsuit claims the managers devised the Rock Star format, and that at the outset it was agreed that they would be credited as executive producers of the TV show and that they would receive 18% of gross revenue from the TV series and subsequent tours, and 15% of earnings from related projects including a book, website and merchandising. After being sacked the managers received nothing. Edwards and Murchison's attorney, Mark Williams, told reporters last week: "Murchison and Edwards took them [the band] through the whole 'Rock Star' concept and as soon as ... the programme started to generate real revenue, [they] were unceremoniously sacked".
The band are yet to respond, but their attorney, Sean Docker, is trying to have the case put on hold, arguing that it should not proceed until separate legal action being taken by the band against the former managers has gone through court. That case is being pursued in California, where the band have taken Edwards and Murchison to the State Labour Commissioner over allegations that the managers were not registered under that state's law to act as their agents.