A Massachusetts judge has denied Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer’s request to force his bandmates to have him to perform with them at a pair of Grammy events this week.
Kramer filed an emergency lawsuit in the past week after being sidelined from the live lineup for much of the past year as a result of suffering minor injuries last spring at the start of the Boston outfit’s Deuces Are Wild residency in Las Vegas.
Drum tech John Douglas has been filling in during his absence and, after failing an audition judged by the group’s members to determine if he was physically ready to return, Kramer was advised that he could join Aerosmith at the events but not to perform.
According to The New York Daily News, The Superior Court judge in Plymouth County, MA decided Kramer can’t force his band to let him perform with the group at the Grammy events.
“Plaintiff Joseph Kramer, the drummer for the rock band Aerosmith, filed a complaint alleging breach of contract and violations ... by the closely held corporations comprising the band,” the judge said in his ruling. “Based upon those allegations Kramer also requested an injunction allowing him to perform at the MusiCares Gala on Jan. 24, 2020, and the Grammy Awards on Jan. 26, 2020. After hearing and consideration of the filings of the parties, plaintiff Joey Kramer’s request for that Preliminary Injunction is denied.”
“Being prohibited from playing with a band that I have given 50 years of my life to supporting, is beyond devastating,” Kramer said Tuesday in a statement. “This is not about money. I am being deprived of the opportunity to be recognized along with my peers, for our collective, lifetime contributions to the music industry.
“To be removed from my rightful place on stage to celebrate our success, a success that acknowledges my own life’s work, is just plain wrong.”
Aerosmith issued a statement defending their decision, saying Kramer has, by his own admission, has not been ready to rejoin the live lineup despite several requests over the past six months, and that the last-minute lawsuit left no consideration for sufficient rehearsal time after his playing was not up to par during a recent videotaped audition.
“Given his decisions,” said Aerosmith members, “he is unfortunately unable to perform but, of course, we have invited him to be with us for both the Grammys and our MusiCares honor. We are bonded together by much more than our time on stage.”
Aerosmith will be honored by the music industry and fellow rockers – including Alice Cooper, Foo Fighters, Sammy Hagar and Cheap Trick, among others – with the 2020 MusiCares Person Of The Year Award on January 24; they band will then perform a hits medley at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards on January 26.
See also:
Aerosmith drummer sues bandmates over Grammy Awards ban
Aerosmith to perform with Run-DMC at Grammy Awards
Sammy Hagar and Cheap Trick added to Aerosmith MusiCares tribute
Aerosmith to perform at the 2020 Grammy Awards
Search Aerosmith at hennemusic
