Original band Blue tips off Elton, as courts set April 2003 for court case
News of Elton John and boyband Blue collaborating on a cover of Elton’s song Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word has reached a band who used to be signed onto Rocket Records and who now have started legal proceedings against the new boyband Blue and their record labels Virgin and EMI.
Matt Nicholson, manager of The Record Label which releases the original Blue’s output and brother of two of the band members of the original all-Scottish line-up wrote to Elton’s manager, Frank Presland on October 24, 2002, to explain the background.
Nicholson told EJW.com:
“I have written to Frank to explain that legal proceedings are set for the earliest date available in April next year. If Elton decides to go ahead with the recording’s release that is his decision, but as a courtesy I had to set the record straight for Elton, whom we like as a friend and whose reputation we value.”
This week, the London High Court set a date in April 2003 for the trial. It is expected to last about four days.
At the heart of the court case is the alleged taking of Blue’s name and recycling it with a new chart-topping boyband promoted by Virgin Records, owned by EMI Group PLC.
As reported on EJW.com on October 23, 2002, boyband Blue said they could not believe it when Elton not only agreed to let them cover the song, but also said he would sing it with them.
The collaboration is all down to Blue singer Lee Ryan. The 19-year-old recently admitted that the song – written seven years before he was born – is one of his favourite records and said he wanted the band to do a cover of the track for their new album.
The single was recorded at the weekend and the video is planned to be shot next month.
Lee said: “We are all massive Elton fans. Personally he has always been one of my musical heroes. It’s an honour to have had the chance to record with him. I have always loved the song – it’s classic Elton.”
Appropriately enough, the track first appeared on Elton’s 1976 Blue Moves album.
But perhaps inappropriately, the choice of song could yet come to haunt prosecution or defendant in the courtroom next year, as someone will have to accept the judge’s decision.
The duet will be included on boyband Blue’s album One Love, out on November 4, 2002, and will be released as a single at the end of December 2002.
[Now Elton may have to choose between comforting old pals or satisfying a young fan. Ed.]
