Evel Knievel Sues Kanye West Over Video
By MITCH STACY


Associated Press Writer


TAMPA, Fla. — Evel Knievel has sued Kanye West, taking issue with a music video in which the rapper takes on the persona of "Evel Kanyevel" and tries to jump a rocket-powered motorcycle over a canyon.

Knievel, whose real name is Robert Craig Knievel, filed a lawsuit in federal court in Tampa on Monday claiming infringement on his trademark name and likeness. He also claims the "vulgar and offensive" images depicted in the video damage his reputation.


(enlarge photo)
Evel Knievel waves as he is lowered to his rocket in this Sept. 8, 1974 photo before his failed attempt at a highly promoted 3/4-mile leap across Snake River Canyon in Twin Falls, Idaho. Knievel has sued rapper Kanye West, taking issue with a music video in which West takes on the persona of 'Evel Kanyevel' and tried to jump a rocket-powered motorcycle over a canyon. (AP Photo)
"That video that Kanye West put out is the most worthless piece of crap I've ever seen in my life, and he uses my image to catapult himself on the public," the 68-year-old daredevil said Tuesday.

A spokesman for West said the 28-year-old rapper no comment. The lawsuit seeks damages and to halt distribution of the video.

In the video for "Touch the Sky," released earlier this year, West dons the familiar Knievel star-studded jumpsuit and jumps a canyon in a vehicle "visually indistinguishable" from the one used by Knievel in his failed attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon in Idaho in 1974, the lawsuit said.

The video, which features Pamela Anderson as West's girlfriend, contains "vulgar and offensive sexual images, language and conduct involving `Evel Kanyevel' and women apparently trying to gain his sexual interest," according to the lawsuit.

"The guy just went too far using me to promote his filth to the world," said Knievel, who lives in Clearwater and has been in poor health in recent years. "I'm not in any way that kind of a person."

The lawsuit also names Roc-A-Fella Records, video director Chris Milk and AOL for distributing it.

West was so disappointed at not winning best video for "Touch the Sky" at the MTV Europe Music Awards last month that he crashed the stage when it was presented to Justice and Simian for "We Are Your Friends."

In a tirade riddled with expletives, West said he should have won the prize because it "cost a million dollars, Pamela Anderson was in it. I was jumping across canyons."

Knievel failed spectacularly in the 1974 jump. He was secured inside the cockpit and the Sky-Cycle was fired up. But his parachute opened just as he cleared the ramp. After soaring about 1,000 feet, he wound up landing about 20 feet from the river on the rocky south bank. He sustained only scrapes and bruises.

In the video, West's vehicle crashes to the bottom of the canyon in flames.

___

On the Net:

Evel Knievel: http://www.evelknievel.com/

Kanye West: http://www.kanyewest.com/


___

December 12, 2006 - 1:45 p.m. EST

Copyright 2006, The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP Online news report may not be published, broadcast or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
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good 4 his stupid ass !!!!!

i can't believe he's still alive! and who cares if he portrayed him. what's the problem? maybe kanye should just send him a check for his troubles.

All of that over a music video? Music videos don't profit anyone. They are just promotional tools. Perhaps Kanye should apologize for using his image without consent, though.

and "filth to the world"! o man! dude is funny

ThuhTruth said:

Which means they do, indirectly, produce profit.

If someone used footage of Elvis or Monroe in a video, you can bet their estates would be suing.

I don't really care for Kanye but I think this is bullshit. And this video is how old now?..and he just suing him now?? "Damage Evel's reputation"?...Wasn't Evel the dude who beat the hell out of a tv producer with a baseball bat in 1970's?..Wasn't he a womanizer who cheated on his wife?...I worshipped Evel as a kid but I think he's lost his mind.

VoicesCarry said:

footage is one thing, but plenty of videos/commercials, etc. feature homage--Eminem comes to mind dressed as fat Elvis. Certainly marilyn's blown skirt & "Happy Birthday Mr. President" have been much imitated

Celebrities are fair game to some extent, unless there's actually a copyright infringement.

But I think Evel's take on this is really funny.

ummm the video has been out for how long and he is just now suing??? i guess his retirement funds haven't kicked in yet and this was an easy way to get some money. hey Evel, why don't you go volunteer at nursing homes or something....

this is really a dumb thing to sue over. even though I AM A KANYE FAN, i could see him getting sued for much worst things than this....honestly.
[Edited 12/12/06 15:38pm]

I just want to know...how the hell did this video damage his reputation? If anybody's rep was damaged, it was Kayne and the director's. That video was a waste of money!

NDRU said:

Yeah, I think it's stupid, too, but I was just sayin...

Are you kidding me? This same drunk who used to beat and cheat his
wife is worrying about his image. Sorry evel knievel you are some
thirty years late. Get on with your life.

Who cares if an old jackass wants to sue a young jackass?

origmnd said:

yes, can we somehow sue the both of them?

Wack claim.

They can settle this with Judge Judy or something it is not that crucial...

Evel Knievel doesn't care about black people!

Ain't nobody trippin' about Lance Murdock.

Call Judge Joe Brown!
[Edited 12/12/06 18:25pm]

.
[Edited 12/12/06 21:52pm]

stupid case...

Evel was the man back in the day, tho... circa '77...

Honestly, he probably would have never seen the video if Kanye didn't bring more attention to it by acting an ass @ that award show



.
[Edited 12/13/06 1:45am]

carlcranshaw said:

We've watched entirely too much of The Simpsons!

I hate people who sue over pointless crap! It's such a waist of time and money.

Is it true in the UK if you sue and lose U have to pay the other person's legal fees?

Evel who? I mean how many Kanye fans even remember who he was? The video brought back memories of my childhood though. He should be thanking Kanye.

http://cityrag.blogs.com/..._sued.html

SPYZFAN1 said:

Evel hasn't lost his mind. He's just an old cat trying to make some money so he can feed his gambling habit and chase women young enough to be his Granddaughters. Someone had to have given him the idea to do this. Cause you know he doesn't watch Hip Hop videos, With his old, dust farting self. I also liked him back in the day.

Regardless of what you think of Evel, the point is, was his likeness used without his permission. Just like a lot of rap music uses samples of prior music, the question is, when creating a new work, how much of an old work can you incorporate without the original owner's permission.

It's a valid question.

Would you say the same thing if the parties involved in the lawsuit were Prince and Pharrel? Or Chuck Berry and Keith Richards?

Where do we draw the line on "fair use"?

Frank Gifford was A&E Biography for Evel Knievel and he told a story about after Evel crashed in that British Jump, Frank was one of the anouncers, he ran over to help get the bike off Evel. When he got to him Evel was trying to tell Frank something.

"Frank"

"Frank"

Gifford was worried it was a dying wish or statement.

"Frank"

"Get that broad out of my room"


so he isn't some Holy Figure

He was a drunk, He slept with a million chicks & also beat up a guy with a baseball bat because he wrote a book about him.

He is just a old bitter asshole.
[Edited 12/14/06 6:23am]