Genesis Guitarist May Lose Share of Royalties in Divorce
- Posted on Aug 7th 2009 12:30PM by Steve Baltin
- Comments (14)
Rock stars are commitment phobic enough. If the millions paid out by Paul McCartney and Phil Collins in their recent divorces weren't enough to sound the death knell for rocker marriages, the case of Collins' former Genesis bandmate Steve Hackett might just do the trick.
Hackett, the guitarist of the band through 1977 divorced his wife, jewelry and art designer Kim Poor, last year after 32 years of marriage. Now Poor is now fighting back, going to court to claim a portion of the royalties from his share of the Genesis catalog, according to the Times of London.
The nitty gritty of the case is that Hackett, who left the group in 1977 to go on to a solo career, formed a firm, Stephen Hackett Ltd, and all rights and earnings from his days with the group, which include such prog rock staples as 'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway,' 'A Trick of the Tail' and 'Selling England by the Pound,' were channeled into that company. In 2006, Hackett said he would be employed by the company bearing his name for the next decade and it would get all the benefits of his past work. However, Poor is alleging that he violated that agreement and starting receiving payment directly. While Hackett's lawyer maintains he is entitled to get paid his money in cash, Poor says she is simply trying to protect the company the two of them jointly own. Got it? Good.
If Poor wins, the resulting judgment could be worth millions of pounds, but this isn't really about the money for most watching. Should the settlement go in her favor, it could set a precedent in English courts that entitles spouses to a share of intellectual properties. If that happens, rock star marriages could never be the same. While we're not sure who we're rooting for, it certainly makes this jointly-written letter from Hackett and Poor where they "wish each other all happiness and success in years to come" seem a little dated.
Hackett, the guitarist of the band through 1977 divorced his wife, jewelry and art designer Kim Poor, last year after 32 years of marriage. Now Poor is now fighting back, going to court to claim a portion of the royalties from his share of the Genesis catalog, according to the Times of London.
The nitty gritty of the case is that Hackett, who left the group in 1977 to go on to a solo career, formed a firm, Stephen Hackett Ltd, and all rights and earnings from his days with the group, which include such prog rock staples as 'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway,' 'A Trick of the Tail' and 'Selling England by the Pound,' were channeled into that company. In 2006, Hackett said he would be employed by the company bearing his name for the next decade and it would get all the benefits of his past work. However, Poor is alleging that he violated that agreement and starting receiving payment directly. While Hackett's lawyer maintains he is entitled to get paid his money in cash, Poor says she is simply trying to protect the company the two of them jointly own. Got it? Good.
If Poor wins, the resulting judgment could be worth millions of pounds, but this isn't really about the money for most watching. Should the settlement go in her favor, it could set a precedent in English courts that entitles spouses to a share of intellectual properties. If that happens, rock star marriages could never be the same. While we're not sure who we're rooting for, it certainly makes this jointly-written letter from Hackett and Poor where they "wish each other all happiness and success in years to come" seem a little dated.





Reader Comments(1 of 1)
Daveat 8-10-2009
Good luck Steve! But then again, if your wife takes you to the cleaners, you might be forced to do a Genesis reunion! I've been waiting for a looooonnng time to see Gabriel and Hackett do one last tour with Genesis.
Anaat 8-10-2009
I agree with Dave 100%. A reunion for Steve Hackett and the rest of the crew is long overdue.
lfriskeyat 8-10-2009
I agree with you 110%! Wouldn't that be the the greatest result to his plight? A Genesis reunion! Bring that to the US an I am in the front row!!
tell me your nameat 8-10-2009
stupid idiots quit fn with genesis its just gonna piss us all off
again
john get out of the way damnit
f off paul permenantly fn forkin off take your peverse foot stomping kids with you an your fake lambs that are voracious killers an really aren't lamb
i want war a real war an im gonna get it
Wish Belkinat 8-10-2009
Hackett, who left the group in 1977 to go on to a solo career, formed a firm,
______________________
That sums it up nicely.
This por guy is an idiot.
Davidat 8-10-2009
There's another advertisement for prenuptial agreements. Would have saved Paul and Steve a bloody fortune!
VICat 8-10-2009
NEVER EVER EVER MAKE YOUR WIFE A PARTNER IN YOUR BUSINESS ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAD IT BEFORE YOU MARRIED HER . EVER!!!
caldercup6at 8-10-2009
They have a video of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s1sg2ZploU
flat topat 8-10-2009
If he dumped her, it sounds like he's getting what's coming to him. No sympathy here.
mbanhagelat 8-10-2009
Just another venemous viper out to suck the livlihood out of another foolish and unsuspecting male. Marriage laws need to be re-written or the practice should be banned entirely.
Tonyat 8-10-2009
I agree with you. The powers that be will not change the marriage laws, so we have to individually put a ban on it.
pwoodat 8-10-2009
Is Poor, POOR??? I don't get her point, is there one??
tonyat 8-12-2009
steve will be fine, maby it will force him to get off his but and write some stuff and tour
william defeliceat 10-25-2009
everybody should keep out of steve,s life. He is a great person and he touched a bunch of lives with his talent, who needs another Gold Digger! I raise my glass to you steve!