Motley Crue have disputed allegations made by artist manager Carl Stubner, who they are suing, in which he claims that he can't be sued because he had no direct management connection with the band.
As previously reported, the legendary metallers issued legal proceedings against Stubner earlier this year claiming that he damaged the band through his management of their drummer Tommy Lee. The band claim Stubner got Lee involved in external projects that prevented the band from working and which damaged their credibility. They also say he breached his "fiduciary duties" to the band by making threats and demanding more money for himself.
As previously reported, more or less as soon as the Crue launched their litigation back in June Stubner issued an announcement claiming he never represented the band at large and therefore he didn't 'owe any duty' to them. The band disagreed, claiming that while Stubner technically managed Lee, he had involved himself in the whole band's affairs and that as a result their was an implied management duty.
The two sides took that argument into court this week. Stubner's people maintain the argument that while Tommy Lee could sue him if it was thought there had been mismanagement, and while the band could sue Tommy Lee, the band can't sue Stubner. But the band's attorney, Skip Miller, disagreed He told the court: "This band is not going to sue Tommy Lee; this lawsuit is not about Tommy Lee. It is about Carl Stubner's tactics that we contend harmed Motley Crue and cost the band millions of dollars".
Miller says he has statements from band members Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx and Mick Mars plus ten other key professionals associated with the band who all say that Stubner operated as a manager for the whole band and not just Lee.
Commenting, Sixx said: "There are witnesses to Carl Stubner's threats and demands for more money for himself. Managers have to be held to higher standards in the music business just like they are in other industries".
Mars added: "Tommy Lee has been my and Nikki's friend for longer than anyone. This band is not going to sue Tommy Lee. We will hold Carl Stubner accountable".
The judge hearing the dispute asked the band to provide more details of the specific threats Stubner allegedly made against the band, including when they were made and who to. The band's team said they would do so.
It remains unclear what Lee's relationship with the band currently is. As this litigation began it was alleged he had all but quit the band (or been axed), but the drummer himself has seemingly implied he still sees himself as part of the Crue, and that he hopes he can overcome any tensions within the band to work with them again.