Sony Shuts Down Tribute Band Website, Demands Cash

Culture

from the how-dare-you! dept

This story has been getting some attention on various blogs, but now Reuters has picked up the news that Sony has forced the “tribute/mashup band” Beatallica offline. Beatallica mixes Beatles songs with Metallica songs, as sort of a tribute or parody of both bands. Band members from Metallica (the first major musical act to attack the Napster generation) even said they thought it was a great idea. Sony, however, disagreed and has forced the band to take down their website is demanding that they pay Sony an undisclosed amount for making use of Beatles’ material. There’s really no need to go through all the reasons why this is backwards and damaging to both the Beatles and Sony, but it’s yet another reminder that the industry remains absolutely clueless. Even the article points out that the band has probably created new Beatles fans from kids into more heavy music, who refused to listen to the Beatles before.