Adrian Vandenberg being sued for his own surname

I believe in the early 90's Don Dokken was sued by his former bandmates for the use of his surname:

Former Whitesnake guitarist Adrian Vandenberg has slammed the former members of his band Vandenberg for attempting to take over the rights to his surname a second time.

He split the four piece in 1986 in order to join David Coverdale’s band, and insists he was fully in charge of its creative output during their three-album career and he’s branded the new action “ridiculous,” “far-fetched” and “cheesy."

Vandenberg says, “Before joining my close friend David Coverdale in Whitesnake, I had my own band under my own name, which I founded, wrote all the music and lyrics for, made the album covers, designed the logo etc etc.

Here comes the surreal part: a year ago I got summoned by a lawyer representing the three guys I invited to play in my band, trying to claim my own name and trying to prohibit me from using my own name through a lawsuit. Now how bizarre is that?

Singer Bert Heerink, bassist Dick Kemper and drummer Jos Zoomer, each of them not having achieved anything worth mentioning in 27 years, are now trying to piggyback on the name and reputation I was fortunate enough to build through years of working my ass off. A sad situation indeed – since I always thought these guys were friends.”

Vandenberg says Heerink’s position in the case was “even more pathetic” since he’d been fired from the band in 1985, and points out they lost their lawsuit when it came to court, but he states that they’re trying again, this time through a trademark dispute.

“It’s basically like when you invite a couple of people for a ride on the back seat of your new car, then these passengers claim your car is now theirs,” says the guitarist. “Some people have no shame.”

He’s promised to keep fans updated about what he calls “this surrealistic but actually sad soap.”

IMO if his former bandmates want to use the name, he should let them have it. They kinda sucked anyway.

Sucked? Not!

I loved this band and put them in the same league as MSG. Adrian is a fantastic artist.

brokentulsa wrote:

I loved this band and put them in the same league as MSG. Adrian is a fantastic artist.

x2

and what ult said as well!

MSG worship right here:

I always liked the first Vandenberg album. The other 2 didn't do too much for me. Pretty silly to sue him over his own name, imo.

I only have the first album and like it alot. I don't see how you can be sued over your own name but evidently you can. Why on earth would they want to go by that name without Adrian anyhow?

007 wrote:

Why on earth would they want to go by that name without Adrian anyhow?

Cuz nobody's going to book a band called "The Artists Formerly Known As Vandenberg"

Fat Freddy wrote:

007 wrote:

Why on earth would they want to go by that name without Adrian anyhow?

Cuz nobody's going to book a band called "The Artists Formerly Known As Vandenberg"

I kinda figured that. But does Vandenberg really have that sort of cachet?

Fat Freddy wrote:

007 wrote:

Why on earth would they want to go by that name without Adrian anyhow?

Cuz nobody's going to book a band called "The Artists Formerly Known As Vandenberg"

I'd question how many promoters in 2012 are gonna book Vandenberg. Period.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I'd question how many promoters in 2012 are gonna book Vandenberg. Period.

Good point.

Quote :

I kinda figured that. But does Vandenberg really have that sort of cachet?

One of those Euro retro festivals like Sweden Rock would probably throw'em a bunch of cash for a one-off performance, but I couldn't see it having any kind of staying power.

No kidding. The guy seems to only be famous for NOT actually playing on Whitesnake albums he's supposed to be on.

S.D. wrote:

No kidding. The guy seems to only be famous for NOT actually playing on Whitesnake albums he's supposed to be on.