THE Rolling Stones are being dragged right into a rock ‘n’ roll authorized row after a Spanish singer claimed the legendary band stole two of his songs to create their 2020 lockdown report Living in a Ghost Town.
Sergio Garcia Fernandez, frontman of Madrid-based band Angelslang, has launched a plagiarism lawsuit in Spain, accusing Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of lifting key parts from his tracks So Sorry (2006) and Seed of God (2007) – and turning them into the Stones’ eerie, reggae-tinged pandemic anthem.
“They took my music, gave it a polish, and known as it their very own,” blasted Fernandez, who claims the monitor was “Frankensteined collectively” from his songs.
The authorized bombshell comes after an earlier try and sue the band in New Orleans was thrown out by a US decide on account of ‘lack of jurisdiction’.
Now, the case has landed squarely within the lap of a Madrid business courtroom, the place Fernandez says justice would possibly lastly be served.
In a weird twist worthy of a Netflix docuseries, Fernandez claims he gave a demo CD to Chris Jagger (Mick’s brother) at a Madrid gig in 2013.
According to emails Fernandez now cites in courtroom, Chris advised him the music was ‘one thing The Rolling Stones could be keen on utilizing’.
He alleges there have been follow-up emails between himself and the Stones camp, even swapping ideas on lyrics.
Now he’s accusing the world’s most enduring rock band of serving to themselves to the ‘recognisable and key protected parts’ of his songs – together with the melody, tempo, harmonica traces and chord development.
Music consultants employed by the Spanish musician say the similarities are not any coincidence. They’ve even claimed there’s proof of ‘fragmented plagiarism’ – a time period used when distinct items of a music are copied and repackaged.
But some critics argue it’s a stretch. After all, the Stones have been influencing bands for over half a century – not the opposite means spherical.
“It’s a bit wealthy to say the Stones copied Angelslang,” stated one business insider. “Their sound is the blueprint, not the copy.”
Yet Fernandez isn’t backing down – and he’s even floated a wild principle that the Stones used AI to mix his songs and create Ghost Town. Legal consultants have rubbished that declare, noting that AI music tech was nonetheless in its infancy in 2020.
The Rolling Stones – who performed to packed-out crowds on their ‘Hackney Diamonds‘ tour this summer season – have but to publicly remark.
But Fernandez insists their very own authorized filings admit to similarities between the songs and that the band requested the case be moved to Spain – a element that’s raised eyebrows.
In a dramatic twist, the singer claims he’s been harassed on-line, had his emails hacked, and is now affected by well being points linked to the stress. He’s even written a will, fearing one thing could occur to him earlier than the case concludes.
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