BACKSTREET DEALINGS (Entertainment Weekly, October 9 ' 98)

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Oct 04, 2098 Source: Entertainment Weekly, October 9, '98 Submitted By: Thanks to Joanne (backstreet-girl@as-if.com) for sending this in. HEAR AND NOW - This week on the music beat By Rob Brunner BACKSTREET DEALINGS - Money, as Cyndi Lauper once sang, changes everything. Just ask the Backstreet Boys: In the wake of their multi-platinum breakthrough, the kings of teenybopper pop have found themselves embroiled in a complex web of lawsuits and disputes. At the center of it all is a Florida-based businessman named Louis Pearlman, who discovered the young group in 1992 and continues to oversee their career. Last year the Backstreet Boys-- who've grossed an estimated $200 million--sued Pearlman for $10 million in additional profits. Both sides say the legal action was little more than a friendly family feud. "Lou Pearlman really is in some ways a father figure to the Boys," says Howard Siegel, an attorney for the group. The dispute, which forced a renegotiation of the Boys' contract, "has never been [about] disloyalty or lack of appreciation by them, it's just that there were a lot of business things that they didn't understand [early in their career]. Everyone recognized that adjustments were in order." That lawsuit was just settled; Siegel and Pearlman both say the new agreement allows Pearlman to continue as the president of Backstreet Boys, Inc. "I'm the 6th Backstreet Boy," says the 44-year- old Pearlman. "I always have been, I always will be." But here's where it gets complicated: On Sept. 18, the group parted ways with its Orlando-based management company, Wright Stuff, which had been--but no longer is--affiliated with Pearlman's company, Trans Continental Records. The Backstreet Boys, Pearlman, and Wright Stuff continue to be wrapped up in complex money-related legal wrangling. What's more, Pearlman and the Boys have recently sued their record company, Zomba (the parent company of Jive Records). Pearlman claims that some royalties have been withheld and that Zomba still hasn't paid a finder's fee promised to him for bringing the band to the label. "We're all trying to talk and resolve the whole situation, but there's a lot of money at stake," Pearlman says. (A spokesperson for Zomba declined to comment on the suit.) Confused yet? Well, here's a quick summary: Quit playing games with my wallet! Comment on this item. Recent Comments Submitted by: crorkservice on fiverr HhnFcs It's hard to find educated individuals on this subject, but you sound like you understand what you're talking about! Thanks Submitted by: crork alise 8QiOyc You must participate in a contest for among the finest blogs on the web. I'll advocate this site! Submitted by: cheap seo services 8zpwzv I enjoy, cause I discovered exactly what I used to be looking for. You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye Submitted by: Avocado Salad I read and feel at home. Thanks the creators for a good resource..! Submitted by: Tuna Salad Develop the topic further! It is interesting to know more details..! Submitted by: Market To Cell Phone Users Strange but true. Your resource is expensive. At least it could be sold for good money on its auction!... Submitted by: Personalized Wedding Invitations I serched through the internet and got here. What a wonderful invention of the mankind. With the help of the network you communicate, learn, read !... That helped us to get acquainted!... Submitted by: Hook And Tackle Right from this article begin to read this blog. Plus a subscriber:D Submitted by: Above Ground Swimming Pool����� I must admit, the webmaster is a cool guy..! Submitted by: oem software nOsxJu This article is for professionals..! Click here to see more comments. Comment on this item. Next Item: US Magazine Article about the Boys, October '98 Prev Item: Backstreet Boys: The Public Guys & Their Private Lives!