A Deep Purple guitarist blew off promoting his latest album, tanking sales, his Italian record label claims.
Richard Blackmore, who helped pen the hit “Smoke on the Water,” signed a three-year deal to let Frontiers Records license and distribute his 2015 release worldwide, provided he made “reasonable best efforts” to support the disc.
But the album from the band Blackmore’s Night got no help from the musician, Frontiers charges in a Manhattan federal court lawsuit.
During a summer tour to promote “All Our Yesterdays,” Blackmore blew off dozens of media appearances and interviews, the lawsuit alleges. In Germany alone, Blackmore bailed on six TV interviews and 25 to 30 tabloid outlets, it says.
Frontiers, which paid Blackmore a $220,000 advance, is seeking a minimum of $150,000 in damages.
A lawyer for Blackmore denied the allegations, calling them “ludicrous.”