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Thread started 11/29/15 11:07pm

phunkdaddy

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Ronnie and Charlie Wilson fight over use of Gap Band name

(November 25, 2015) The Gap Band has received more attention this year for legal matters than for music. Earlier this year, surviving group members, brothers Ronnie and Charlie Wilson, received a hefty settleme...er credits from Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson due to the similarity of the year’s biggest hit, “Uptown Funk,” with the Gap Band’s “Oops Upside the Head.”

Now, TMZ reports that Ronnie Wilson is now suing his brother Charlie – who apparently left the group a few years ago as his solo career took off - claiming that Charlie has interfered with Ronnie’s ability to book gigs for his spinoff group, The New Gap Band. Specifically, Ronnie says two concerts, at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City and at The Howard Theatere in Washington, D.C, were pulled due to Charlie’s interference.

The issue of who owns and can use the "Gap Band" name mirrors problems currently plaguing so many classic R&B groups that have splintered into multiple acts. The Temptations were probably the most notable, with at least four different versions of the groups at various times, but similar battles have arisen with countless renowned R&B groups, from the Drifters to the Manhattans to The Stylistics to, most recently, Enchantment. It has created problems for fans and artists alike, and attempts at legislation by various states around the country have slowed only the most egregious, fraudulent situations.

Let’s hope that the Wilson brothers can resolve their problems privately, and everyone get back to making great music.

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Don't laugh at my funk
This funk is a serious joint
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Reply #1 posted 11/30/15 7:38am

SoulAlive

Here we go again confused I'm so tired of seeing this same situation with these old school bands.

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Reply #2 posted 11/30/15 7:48am

getxxxx

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what was ronnie doing when CHARLIE went solo... NADA!

Nick Ashford was someone I greatly admired, had the honor of knowing, and was the real-life inspiration for Cowboy Curtis' hair. RIP Nick. - Pee Wee Herman
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Reply #3 posted 11/30/15 8:04am

Graycap23

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I'm not really sure why Charlie would even care at this point.

He doesn't need 2 use the Gap name.

FOOLS multiply when WISE Men & Women are silent.
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Reply #4 posted 11/30/15 8:11am

Linn4days

getxxxx said:

what was ronnie doing when CHARLIE went solo... NADA!

What else was Ronnie going to do? Tour as "Ronnie Wilson"? Become a mechanic all of a sudden?

Charlie should've paid his brother to not tour as "The Gap Band", or Charlie should have toured as The Gap Band with some of his solo songs...and paid his brother's bills (keeping him from touring).

His brother should be able to continue on as "The Gap Band", if Charlie is beyond and above reminding people of all of that time and hits. Leave it all behind, and just tour with his solo material.

Gap Band or not?

It gets real funny when it comes to the $$$$... Just let the man tour.

[Edited 11/30/15 8:14am]

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Reply #5 posted 11/30/15 8:11am

getxxxx

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this is basically what JONI, KIM and DEBBIE did to their sister KATHY.

Nick Ashford was someone I greatly admired, had the honor of knowing, and was the real-life inspiration for Cowboy Curtis' hair. RIP Nick. - Pee Wee Herman
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Reply #6 posted 11/30/15 8:21am

MickyDolenz

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I thought Ronnie retired from show business and was a preacher and that the group ceased to exist when Robert passed. Charlie does not use the Gap name although he performs some of their songs at his solo concerts. So what's the point of blocking it? I wonder how the brothers make money from Uptown Funk, since Charlie has said Lonnie Simmons kept all of the royalties from their records. Maybe the checks are sent directly to them rather than through Lonnie.

You can take a black guy to Nashville from right out of the cotton fields with bib overalls, and they will call him R&B. You can take a white guy in a pin-stripe suit who’s never seen a cotton field, and they will call him country. ~ O. B. McClinton
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Reply #7 posted 11/30/15 9:01am

phunkdaddy

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It shouldn't have really made a difference as it seems like Ronnie was
billing his version as the New Gap Band. I also thought Ronnie was in the
ministry now but I guess you always have that itch to perform your hits.
Steve Arrington recently came back to the secular arena performing as a solo
artist performing all the Slave songs he sung on as well as his solo stuff.
Don't laugh at my funk
This funk is a serious joint
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Reply #8 posted 11/30/15 9:28am

Cinny

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I actually see Ronnie's point in this. Charlie left the group to become solo. You don't get to take the name with you. Charlie also made a name for himself and can do whatever he wants.

Ronnie also never booked the shows as Gap Band, but New Gap Band. Hell, *I* could call a group New Gap Band.

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Reply #9 posted 11/30/15 10:49am

MickyDolenz

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Cinny said:

Ronnie also never booked the shows as Gap Band, but New Gap Band. Hell, *I* could call a group New Gap Band.

There's an Italian group called Gap Band

http://fonoteca.it/ebay2012/gapbandtr-1360171441-11200.jpg

You can take a black guy to Nashville from right out of the cotton fields with bib overalls, and they will call him R&B. You can take a white guy in a pin-stripe suit who’s never seen a cotton field, and they will call him country. ~ O. B. McClinton
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Reply #10 posted 11/30/15 10:52am

Cinny

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MickyDolenz said:

Cinny said:

Ronnie also never booked the shows as Gap Band, but New Gap Band. Hell, *I* could call a group New Gap Band.

There's an Italian group called Gap Band

http://fonoteca.it/ebay2012/gapbandtr-1360171441-11200.jpg

Not if Uncle Charlie has a say! banned

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Reply #11 posted 11/30/15 1:35pm

SoulAlive

The ladies of Klymaxx went through this same situation and it was taken the court.The judge ruled that any of the six original members could use the 'Klymaxx' name.I think that's fair.

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Reply #12 posted 11/30/15 1:44pm

lowkey

SoulAlive said:

The ladies of Klymaxx went through this same situation and it was taken the court.The judge ruled that any of the six original members could use the 'Klymaxx' name.I think that's fair.

me to. i think any member of a group should be able to use the name and make a living performing under that name

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Reply #13 posted 11/30/15 2:01pm

mjscarousal

Cinny said:

I actually see Ronnie's point in this. Charlie left the group to become solo. You don't get to take the name with you. Charlie also made a name for himself and can do whatever he wants.

Ronnie also never booked the shows as Gap Band, but New Gap Band. Hell, *I* could call a group New Gap Band.

Agree.

Charlie has a successful solo career as an R&B artist. What is his problem? I love Charlie but c'mon. That seems to be a selfish move on his part.

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Reply #14 posted 11/30/15 2:46pm

Cinny

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SoulAlive said:

The ladies of Klymaxx went through this same situation and it was taken the court.The judge ruled that any of the six original members could use the 'Klymaxx' name.I think that's fair.

Very egocentric for an individual to take ownership of a group name. I wish Kelly and Michelle would go find Letoya and perform as Destiny's Child.

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Reply #15 posted 11/30/15 3:02pm

MickyDolenz

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Cinny said:

Very egocentric for an individual to take ownership of a group name. I wish Kelly and Michelle would go find Letoya and perform as Destiny's Child.

Doesn't Axl Rose own the name Guns & Roses? He's been touring without the other original members. Also, how does that work if the group is named after a member like Bon Jovi, Van Halen, Santana, J. Geils Band, Dave Matthews Band, Dio, Fleetwood Mac, Mike + The Mechanics, etc.? Or they're named from a third party (ig. Molly & The Ringwalds, Beatallica)

You can take a black guy to Nashville from right out of the cotton fields with bib overalls, and they will call him R&B. You can take a white guy in a pin-stripe suit who’s never seen a cotton field, and they will call him country. ~ O. B. McClinton
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Reply #16 posted 11/30/15 3:18pm

mjscarousal

Cinny said:

SoulAlive said:

The ladies of Klymaxx went through this same situation and it was taken the court.The judge ruled that any of the six original members could use the 'Klymaxx' name.I think that's fair.

Very egocentric for an individual to take ownership of a group name. I wish Kelly and Michelle would go find Letoya and perform as Destiny's Child.

Kelly and Michelle don't have the balls to do that. They kiss Beyonce's ass to much especially Kelly. The funny thing is, if they were to get Le Toya and La Tavia to come together for a reunion, people would go see them. The original DC line up, hell yea people would go and see that.

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Reply #17 posted 11/30/15 3:28pm

Cinny

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MickyDolenz said:

Cinny said:

Very egocentric for an individual to take ownership of a group name. I wish Kelly and Michelle would go find Letoya and perform as Destiny's Child.

Doesn't Axl Rose own the name Guns & Roses? He's been touring without the other original members. Also, how does that work if the group is named after a member like Bon Jovi, Van Halen, Santana, J. Geils Band, Dave Matthews Band, Dio, Fleetwood Mac, Mike + The Mechanics, etc.? Or they're named from a third party (ig. Molly & The Ringwalds, Beatallica)

Well I guess it isn't really a group then. I like how Journey has continued without Steve Perry, for instance. I think The Revolution should perform and record without Prince. HAHA

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Reply #18 posted 11/30/15 3:29pm

Cinny

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mjscarousal said:

Cinny said:

Very egocentric for an individual to take ownership of a group name. I wish Kelly and Michelle would go find Letoya and perform as Destiny's Child.

Kelly and Michelle don't have the balls to do that. They kiss Beyonce's ass to much especially Kelly. The funny thing is, if they were to get Le Toya and La Tavia to come together for a reunion, people would go see them. The original DC line up, hell yea people would go and see that.

I know! But, hell.. I think they might do better as a group without Beyonce than solo without Beyonce.

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Reply #19 posted 11/30/15 3:53pm

MickyDolenz

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Cinny said:

Well I guess it isn't really a group then. I like how Journey has continued without Steve Perry, for instance. I think The Revolution should perform and record without Prince. HAHA

So Sammy Hagar & Michael Anthony can call themselves Van Halen instead of Chickenfoot? razz No one in Journey is named "Journey" and Steve was not an original member anyway. If Valerie Simpson wants to tour and gets a guy to sing with and calls the group Ashford & Simpson, that wouldn't make much sense, since their fans know who "Ashford" is. Same for Hall & Oates. In the case of Peaches & Herb, only Herb is using his actual name. There was no "Peaches" so that could be anybody, and there's been several Peaches.

You can take a black guy to Nashville from right out of the cotton fields with bib overalls, and they will call him R&B. You can take a white guy in a pin-stripe suit who’s never seen a cotton field, and they will call him country. ~ O. B. McClinton
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Reply #20 posted 11/30/15 4:01pm

Cinny

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MickyDolenz said:

Cinny said:

Well I guess it isn't really a group then. I like how Journey has continued without Steve Perry, for instance. I think The Revolution should perform and record without Prince. HAHA

So Sammy Hagar & Michael Anthony can call themselves Van Halen instead of Chickenfoot? razz No one in Journey is named "Journey" and Steve was not an original member anyway. If Valerie Simpson wants to tour and gets a guy to sing with and calls the group Ashford & Simpson, that wouldn't make much sense, since their fans know who "Ashford" is. Same for Hall & Oates. In the case of Peaches & Herb, only Herb is using his actual name. There was no "Peaches" so that could be anybody, and there's been several Peaches.

okay well no one was name Ronnie and Charlie GAP either, so we're way off track. razz

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Reply #21 posted 12/02/15 8:55am

Militant

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moderator

MickyDolenz said:

Cinny said:

Very egocentric for an individual to take ownership of a group name. I wish Kelly and Michelle would go find Letoya and perform as Destiny's Child.

Doesn't Axl Rose own the name Guns & Roses? He's been touring without the other original members.

If you read any autobiographies of the band members (Slash, Duff McKagan and Steven Adler have all written their own) - they state that Axl had forced them to sign over all the rights to the name to him, so that's why he's been able to do that.

Word on the street is that the original lineup are going to finally re-unite soon though - Axl and Slash have finally resolved their differences.

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Reply #22 posted 12/02/15 12:49pm

MickyDolenz

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Militant said:

Word on the street is that the original lineup are going to finally re-unite soon though - Axl and Slash have finally resolved their differences.

Didn't they perform at the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame, except for Axl

You can take a black guy to Nashville from right out of the cotton fields with bib overalls, and they will call him R&B. You can take a white guy in a pin-stripe suit who’s never seen a cotton field, and they will call him country. ~ O. B. McClinton
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Reply #23 posted 12/02/15 12:51pm

MickyDolenz

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Cinny said:

okay well no one was name Ronnie and Charlie GAP either, so we're way off track. razz

From what I understand Ronnie created The Gap Band and later recruited his 2 younger brothers to be in it.

You can take a black guy to Nashville from right out of the cotton fields with bib overalls, and they will call him R&B. You can take a white guy in a pin-stripe suit who’s never seen a cotton field, and they will call him country. ~ O. B. McClinton
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Reply #24 posted 12/02/15 3:10pm

Cinny

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MickyDolenz said:

Cinny said:

okay well no one was name Ronnie and Charlie GAP either, so we're way off track. razz

From what I understand Ronnie created The Gap Band and later recruited his 2 younger brothers to be in it.

You stumped me with Bon Jovi, especially since I recall Jon Bon Jovi as a solo act very vividly in the early 1990s.

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Reply #25 posted 12/02/15 3:25pm

getxxxx

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Since the early 2000’s Charlie Wilson has re-invented and re-established himself as the consummate performer everyone wants to work with and be like if they grow up! Those of us of a certain age think Charlie Wilson and his “saangin” self when we hear the name The Gap Band. Charlie stayed on the road non-stop despite the loss of younger brother Robert (d. 2010) and older brother Ronnie’s desire to cease performing to minister full time in a Texas church.

but this whole scenario reeks of deception unless Charlie Wilson Jr is the lead singer and sounds so much like Uncle Charlie you could never tell the difference or Robert Wilson, Jr is thumping the bass like he’s trying to pay the rent. Perhaps a better name might be the Gap Band Experience

Nick Ashford was someone I greatly admired, had the honor of knowing, and was the real-life inspiration for Cowboy Curtis' hair. RIP Nick. - Pee Wee Herman
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Reply #26 posted 12/02/15 3:49pm

MickyDolenz

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getxxxx said:

Perhaps a better name might be the Gap Band Experience

John Fogerty tried to stop the other members of CCR performing under the name "Creedence Clearwater Revisited". I'm not sure that Ronnie would want to use the word "experience" because of the hard time the group had at Total Experience.

You can take a black guy to Nashville from right out of the cotton fields with bib overalls, and they will call him R&B. You can take a white guy in a pin-stripe suit who’s never seen a cotton field, and they will call him country. ~ O. B. McClinton
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Reply #27 posted 12/02/15 3:53pm

getxxxx

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MickyDolenz said:

getxxxx said:

Perhaps a better name might be the Gap Band Experience

John Fogerty tried to stop the other members of CCR performing under the name "Creedence Clearwater Revisited". I'm not sure that Ronnie would want to use the word "experience" because of the hard time the group had at Total Experience.

well how about THE GAP BAND REVUE ft RONNIE WILSON. since he has the itch to tour again (but im sure the church needs the $$$$)

Nick Ashford was someone I greatly admired, had the honor of knowing, and was the real-life inspiration for Cowboy Curtis' hair. RIP Nick. - Pee Wee Herman
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Reply #28 posted 12/02/15 4:46pm

vainandy

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When I think of the name "Gap Band", I think of funk. Since Charlie's sellout ass is the furthest thing from funk these days, hell, give it to Ronnie. Maybe he'll put it to use because Charlie sure as hell ain't going to.

.

.

.

[Edited 12/2/15 16:47pm]

Andy is a four letter word.
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Reply #29 posted 12/03/15 6:21pm

HuMpThAnG

Cinny said:

SoulAlive said:

The ladies of Klymaxx went through this same situation and it was taken the court.The judge ruled that any of the six original members could use the 'Klymaxx' name.I think that's fair.

Very egocentric for an individual to take ownership of a group name. I wish Kelly and Michelle would go find Letoya and perform as Destiny's Child.

Then Kelly will be the new Beyonce lol

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Forums > Music: Non-Prince > Ronnie and Charlie Wilson fight over use of Gap Band name