Live's Ed Kowalczyk Responds to Cease and Desist from Ex-Bandmate

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Live frontman Ed Kowalczyk has released a statement after the band's former guitarist, Chad Taylor, issued a cease and desist over Kowalczyk's use of the Live band name. Kowalczyk has been touring as Live without the band's other three founding members since 2022, and Taylor claims Kowalczyk did not have the authority to fire him from the band.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the ongoing legal and creative tensions that can arise when a band's founding members go their separate ways, with each side claiming ownership over the band's name and legacy. It also reflects the challenges musicians can face in maintaining a successful act over decades of changing lineups and creative differences.

The details

In the statement, Kowalczyk's lawyer says the "assertions contained in the recently circulated 'cease and desist' letter from certain former members of LIVE are without merit." The lawyer states that "Ed Kowalczyk has served as the band's frontman since its founding and remains in that role," and that the claims "do not alter that reality." Kowalczyk previously left Live in 2009 and faced legal proceedings from the other members over use of the Live name, before reuniting with the band in 2016.

• Kowalczyk has been touring as Live without the band's other three founding members since 2022.
• Kowalczyk left Live in 2009 and reunited with the band in 2016.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The dispute between Kowalczyk and the other founding members of Live is expected to be resolved through the legal system, with Kowalczyk's lawyer stating they intend to "address this matter through the appropriate legal channels" and are "confident it will be resolved in Ed's favor in court."