212 Musicians Sign Amicus Brief In Solidarity Of “Blurred Lines” Appeal
Last year, a lawsuit between “Blurred Lines” writers Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams lost a lawsuit to the family of Marvin Gaye over alleged copywright infringement over Gaye’s 1977 single “Got to Give it Up,” a legal case that gained a lot of attention in the public eye and strong reaction from other players in the music industry. Now, Williams and Thicke have sought to overturn the verdict, and this decision is officially being supported by hundred of musicians, 212 of which have come together to file an amicus brief effectively saying they back the “Blurred Lines” writers, though not explicitly for the same reasons as Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams. Those who have filed in support of the amicus brief have done so in fear that the lawsuit’s standing verdict will create a precedent of choke holding musical creativity. The official brief states that “All musical works, indeed all creative works, are born from a spark of inspiration…To extinguish this spark, to replace it with fear, is to stifle creativity and deprive society of the next generation of great artists and new music.” Those who have signed their name to the amicus brief include the members of Earth, Wind, and Fire; Hans Zimmer; John Oates, R. Kelly, The Go-Go’s, Curt Smith of Tears for Fears, and Danger Mouse. The overall hope of those who have pledged solidarity with this amicus brief is to ultimately establish copyright laws that make musical creativity flourish, not stifle. (Consequence of Sound)
Springsteen Smashes Set Time Record Twice
Bruce Springsteen has been busy not only playing and touring with the E Street Band, but breaking records with them as well. Last week, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band played the longest U.S. show in the group’s history, making it the 2nd-ever longest behind the group’s 2012 performance in Helsinki. Apparently breaking that record wasn’t enough for ol’ Springsteen because last night the group beat their own record from the week before, clocking in at 4:01 with 34 songs played. Asthe band continues on their tour, we may be seeing ever increasing set times. (Billboard)
-Taylor Wallace
