Former Go-Go’s bassist Kathy Valentine is suing four of her former bandmates, claiming they are attempting to “deprive her” of her full stake in the legendary female-fronted band.
According to the complaint filed Friday with the Los Angeles Superior Court, Valentine is entitled to a 20 percent share of the band’s revenues as a one-fifth member of both Ladyhead LLC and Smith-Pocket Industries, Inc. — the entities authorized to conduct the group’s business.
The complaint alleges Go-Go’s members Belinda Carlisle, Jane Wiedlin, Charlotte Caffey and Gina Schock have created a new entity, GoGoCo Corp., in order to use their majority control of Ladyhead to “license the band’s name, brand and trademark” to GoGoCo and “dilute the plaintiff’s share of band revenues.” It goes on to claim that the defendants executed this plan to “freeze out” Valentine, in part to keep her off the band’s planned 2013 tour.
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The suit says these moves would reduce Valentine’s 20 percent share in the band to 2 percent and would cost her “substantially more” than $1 million, though the exact amount will be “proven at trial.”
Valentine played with the Go-Go’s for more than 30 years, contributing to hits that include “Head Over Heels” and “The Whole World Lost its Head.” The band announced in March it had parted ways with her due to “irreconcilable differences.”
