Morrison sued for cancelling pub gig

Van Morrison is being sued for more than £150,000 after pulling out of a gig at a country pub in Everleigh, Wiltshire. Pub landlord Gary Marlow signed him up for a one-off concert after two years of persuading the legendary star to play. The couple say they put up £37,000 of their own money to fund the gig and had even built a special stage, and that when the star pulled out it caused them major financial problems. But Morrison’s people say the star pulled out after the Marlow’s breached their contract. "This was a unique event requiring specific terms of agreement relating to the sale of tickets," Morrison's spokesman said. "These terms of agreement have been blatantly breached by the promoter and Van Morrison has had no alternative but to cancel the arrangement. Van would never cancel any gig without very good reason and greatly regrets disappointing any fans." Solicitor Timothy Hardacre, acting for the Marlows, said: "High Court proceedings have been issued against Mr Van Morrison and Exile Productions Ltd seeking substantial damages arising out of the cancellation of the performance.” The Marlow’s hotel has something of a tradition of landing big name stars to play in its pub garden. Last year Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green, absent from the music scene for many years, played a set at the 16th Century pub at a cost of £18,000, which left the Marlows with no profit.