I'm presently doing promo work for my book and new album, so lately I've been speaking with a lot of journalists and attented quite a few TV shows.
Since some of the stuff in the book seemingly is very controversial the Swedish media have been all over this story. Surprisingly, what the media seem to find the most provocative about the book is the part when I'm talking about the fact that my ex band Europe need to reach a settlement with me to continue using the brand name since I own 20% of it.
When I joined the band in 1987 I bought the previous guitarist John Norum's rights, for the past as well as the future, for one million Swedish Crowns. So since they reunited the band without me they're actually committing copyright infringement.
For some reason the following question has been asked several times by journalists this past week:
"Aren't you concerned about people thinking the only reason you're doing this is because you're bitter?"
?
I wonder if they would have asked me that same question if I was a co-owner of Volvo?
"Sören, you own 20% of Volvo, and the board have decided to cut you out and give all your shares to the guy you once bought them from, and they're not going to compensate you financially. Now you are taking them to court. Why?"
"Aren't you concerned about people thinking the only reason you're doing this is because you're bitter?"
I think not!
Obviously people have not yet accepted musicianship as being a "real" job, what other explanation could there possibly be? In the corporate world financial settlements are rarely being questioned, even after serious wrongdoings on the behalf of the endorsee. And this is far from the case here.
Am I bitter? Not the slightest - as a matter of fact, I've never been more satisfied with my life!
I just want what's rightfully mine so I can get back to living my dream.
Cheers
Kee
Hey Kee!
ReplyDeleteI do hope you'll get back to "living your dream" soon because ultimately, it is the second most important thing in life... the first one being the people in it whom we love and cherish.
Be well,
Claire
Great, Kee :)
ReplyDeleteKee, min stora idol, du är förmodligen världens mest underskattade gitarrist genom tiderna! Kommer du turnera något i Sverige inom en snar framtid? Hoppas du får upprättelsen för varumärket Europe (som är en blek skugga av sitt forna jag utan dig)!
ReplyDeleteI think there's nothing wrong on your part, Kee, in asking what's rightfully yours. I still love Europe, and buy both your CDs and theirs, but this has got nothing to do with liking music or, ultimately, being "bitter". Your post on the issue is cristal clear, man. I can't wait to be able to buy Redux: EUROPE through an international (not Sweden-only) website. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteSeba
Tjenare Kjelle!
ReplyDeleteEnligt Mattias Klings bok skrev Erdtman ett kontrakt med Norum 1988.Erdtman säger i svensk press att Citat -alla pengar för dom tre första skivorna ska för alltid tillfalla Norum eftersom det är han som spelar på dom amen...slut citat.Norum tänkte då stämma Erdtman eftersom han inte fått några pengar från försäljning av dom album han spelade på och enligt den boken kröp då Erdtman till korset och betalade Norum.Verkar över lag vara svårt att få betalt som gitarrist i det där bandet,hehe...Tycker för övrigt att det var bra att du fick "Sparken" nu kan du ju göra din grej fullt ut och slippa massa tjafs med folk som ändå inte vill jobba med dej!Kör hårt och hoppas du får komma ut och lira lite live i landet så man kan se dej nån gång!
Hi Kee,
ReplyDeletein the beginning I hesitated over releasing "Redux Europe" album. Now I've came back from Sweden. Got both your album and book. Now I consider it as great piece of work. Fascinating arrangements and lovely voice... of Hanna.
I bought the book in Swedish as a rarity, though I don't speak Swedish. Hopefully the English version will be published as well. Honestly, I'm shocked to learn some facts, I doubt whether I want to find the bitter true about my fav band. Anyway, it'll be absorbing reading for me.
Fan, stå på dig Kee. Om inte annat hoppas jag att du fortfarande får royalties för låtarna du jobbat med i studion och hur svårt kan det vara för dem att lösa det här?
ReplyDeleteMen de sista sidorna/kapitlen i din bok gav mig ett nytt perspektiv på Joey &co. Jag skulle definitivt ha varit lite bitter
I vissa fall är rättegångspapper offentlig upphandling. Ligger detta ärende i dagsläget hos Stockholms Tingsrätt eller är det avslutat? I sådantfall, hur löd domen? Om du (Kee) har skrivit kontrakt på, och köpt Norums copyrights till tidiga låtar, borde det finnas kvitton och signaturer på detta. Vad händer i ärendet & hur ligger det till? Jag undrar även, vad hände med den miljon du/ni vardera fick som ersättning för millennie-giget som Ian Hauglands bank-kompis spekulerade bort? Även där borde det funnits avtal på hur pengarna skulle arrenderas. Du säger i princip att han fick en 6 miljoner (1 milj av er vardera) och 2 år senare var de borta. Utan kvitton, utan papper. Bara bortspekulerade. Det är bedrägeri. Hur har ni kommit till ett 'settlement' i det ärendet? /T
ReplyDeletehi great man. i thanks you for explaning this "detail" about the case with Europe.
ReplyDeleteyou know, it always sounds like the one who is left behind will cry and beat his feet and whine like a child only because he thought he deserved more. sorry for being so direct, but that's how i felt too. sadly, Europe are quite an anonymous band in the present market, whereas you still try to explore an original way and i appreciate that. i know music is a very very hard business and you're so right, people always think it's fun and parties, and ignore the tears and the sweat it takes to be in the music buiz.
i really hope your book is out in english as soon as possible. i volunteer to translate it into italian.
keep rocking man.