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 legal dispute over the rights to the Live band name highlights the complex ownership and control issues that can arise when a lead singer continues to perform under a band's name after a breakup or lineup changes. It also reflects the ongoing tensions between Kowalczyk and his former bandmates.

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 they "intend to address this matter through the appropriate legal channels and are confident it will be resolved in Ed's favor in court."

• Kowalczyk left Live in 2009 and faced legal proceedings from the other members over use of the Live name in relation to his solo shows.
• Kowalczyk reunited with Live in 2016.
• Kowalczyk has been touring as Live without the band's other three founding members since 2022.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on a future date whether to uphold the cease and desist letter or rule in favor of Kowalczyk's continued use of the Live name.