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Kiss members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley have reached a settlement to end a wrongful termination lawsuit accusing them of firing their longtime hairstylist after he complained about “unsafe working conditions” amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
With a jury trial set to kick off later this month, attorneys for both sides told a Los Angeles judge on Monday that they had “resolved” the case, in which David Mathews claimed that he had been abruptly terminated in 2022 after serving as the band’s hairstylist for 30 years.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed in court filings and neither side immediately returned requests for comment.
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Mathews sued the iconic rock band in 2023, alleging he had been fired in retaliation after he repeatedly raised concerns about the band’s allegedly lax approach to the pandemic. Among other allegations, he said he was forced to work in close proximity to band members like Simmons even when they were sick.
“He was coughing and blowing his nose in the dressing room while still insisting that he felt fine,” Mathews wrote of one encounter with Simmons. “Once again, Mr. Mathews was required to be in Mr. Simmons presence to perform his job duties.”
Mathews isn’t the only person to sue over Kiss over the band’s COVID-19 protocols. The band is also facing a wrongful death lawsuit from the family of Francis S. Stueber, a longtime guitar tech who died in October 2021 while quarantining in a hotel room. The suit claims that the band ignored their own safety rules and failed to arrange medical aid to Stueber after he fell ill.
In his lawsuit, Mathews included his own recounting of Stueber’s death, saying he had repeatedly warned the band and manager Doc McGhee that the man “needs to go to the hospital.” When the incident was later reported by Rolling Stone, Mathews said the band accused him of leaking information to magazine – a claim he denied.
In the wake of Stueber’s death, Mathews claimed that he had numerous run-ins with the band over health and safety, saying that he was “very concerned about the practices pertaining to COVID protocols and decisions being considered by management.” In one incident, he claimed that the band wanted to board commercial flights to South America even though he had tested positive for the coronavirus.
In May 2022, Mathews claimed, McGhee told him that the band felt he had “betrayed and been disloyal to them and they wanted to make a change.” Though he again denied serving as a source for the Rolling Stone report, he said McGhee soon informed him that he would be terminated: “After being a part of KISS for 30 years, Mr. Mathews was in a complete state of shock.”
With a trial looming, the judge overseeing the case had urged both sides to strike a deal. As reported by Rolling Stone, Judge Armen Tamzarian said at a court hearing last month that the case presented “very serious risks” to both sides if it went to a jury.
“If this goes to trial, it would not surprise me if Mr. Mathews got nothing. It would not surprise me if he made a big pot of money. This is the kind of case any rational person would settle. There’s big risk this could swing dramatically one way or the other,” the judge reportedly said at the time.
As Discogs marches towards its 25th anniversary later this year, the music discovery platform has announced new milestones in collection trends among its physical music-loving users.
According to fresh figures released Tuesday (Jan. 7), Discogs members cataloged over 105.7 million pieces of music in 2024 — an average of 2 million vinyl albums, CDs, tapes, 8-tracks and any other catalogable format you can think of per week.
Since its inception, more than 830 million items have been cataloged, with average collections — which are predominantly vinyl — hovering around 195 items per user, the company said. Collectors made sure to log a lot of copies of Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department, the year’s most collected album at more than 130,000, followed by releases from Charli XCX and Billie Eilish. The most collected artist of all time continues to be four lads from Liverpool and the most collected master is Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon. The most collected individual release is the original 180-gram version of Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories, from 2013. (Incidentally, the label that released RAM — Columbia — is the most collected imprint out there.)
Jeffrey Smith, Discogs’ vice president of marketing, emphasized the significance of reaching 105.7 million records cataloged in a single year, noting that each record represents a “deliberate choice” by a real person to “hold, own, and listen to music with intention.”
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“Discogs continues to exist because people care deeply about music as something tangible and meaningful,” Smith added. “This collection milestone reflects a global community driven deeply by passion, connection, and an unwavering commitment to the music that shapes their lives.”
Discogs’ other function, as a viable place to buy and sell those physical music collections, is also hoping to hit a milestone this year. In early 2024, the company told Billboard that it wants to boost its online database to 25 million marketplace listings by its 25th anniversary in November 2025.
Here are some stats on Discogs’ collections:
Average collection size: 195 items
Average collection value: $317
Most collected album ever: The Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd
Most collected albums of 2024:The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor Swift (130,000-plus)Brat, Charli XCX (40,000-plus)Hit Me Hard And Soft, Billie Eilish (40,000-plus)Short N’ Sweet, Sabrina Carpenter (30,000)Songs Of A Lost World, The Cure (27,000)
Most collected record ever: Original 180-gram vinyl of Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories
Record label with the most items in collection: Columbia
Most collected formats:1. Vinyl2. CDs4. Cassettes
Kobalt has tapped Rani Hancock to be its new executive vp/head of U.S. creative. In the role, Hancock will lead the company’s creative teams in New York, Los Angeles and Nashville, and she will report to Kobalt’s president/chief commercial officer Jeannette Perez. This marks Hancock’s first foray into publishing after spending her career as a […]
An ex-gang leader is seeking to have all the charges against him dismissed in the 1990s killing of rap music icon Tupac Shakur. Attorney Carl Arnold filed the motion on Monday in the District Court of Nevada to dismiss charges against Duane Davis in the 1996 shooting of Shakur. The motion alleges “egregious” constitutional violations because […]
Vivid Seats, an online ticket resale marketplace that went public through a SPAC merger in 2021, is reportedly fielding acquisition offers from several equity firms hoping to take the company private, according to a recent report in Bloomberg. Company officials have brought on an advisory firm to help gauge interest in a potential sale, according […]
Lupe Fiasco is teaming up with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to produce an FM radio station. There’s a catch, though: The project will be fully powered by artificial intelligence. The Chicago rapper-turned-professor made the announcement on Instagram last week with a lengthy caption, which read in part: “Imagine if there was a 24-hour fully […]
Film composer Danny Elfman has lost a bid to dismiss a defamation lawsuit over statements he made to the media defending himself from sexual harassment allegations.
The ruling came in a case filed last year by former friend and fellow composer Nomi Abadi, who claims that Elfman defamed her when he issued a strongly-worded statement to Rolling Stone denying her accusations that he had exposed himself and masturbated in front of her.
Elfman had argued that he couldn’t be sued because his comments were made in the course of litigation — a form of legal “privilege” designed to ensure that the adversarial American court system can function properly without fear of defamation lawsuits.
But in a decision issued Dec. 24, Judge Gail Killefer denied Elfman’s motion and allowed Abadi’s case to advance. In her ruling, the judge said Elfman’s comments to Rolling Stone had been more akin to a “press release” than a protected legal motion.
“To allow defendant Elfman to make statements and permit their publication while hiding behind the litigation privilege would decimate the purpose of the privilege,” the judge wrote.
In a statement to Billboard on Monday, Elfman’s attorney Camille Vasquez vowed to appeal the order: “We respectfully disagree with the court’s ruling and are optimistic that the Court of Appeal will agree with us that this case ought to be dismissed.”
An attorney for Abadi did not immediately return a request for comment.
Abadi’s allegations against Elfman — a prolific film composer best known for the famous intro to The Simpsons — were first publicized in a 2023 article from Rolling Stone. The story reported that Elfman had entered into a previously unreported $830,000 settlement in 2018 to resolve her accusations and that Abadi had recently sued him for failing to make payments under that deal.
In the article, Elfman responded with an extensive statement. Calling the allegations “vicious and wholly false,” he described Abadi as having a “childhood crush” on him and intending to “break up my marriage and replace my wife.” Elfman said that when he attempted to distance himself from her, “she made it clear that I would pay for having rejected her.”
Last summer, Abadi added defamation to her list of accusations against Elfman. In a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles court, she claimed that his media statement had falsely tarred her as an “extortionist” and as a “scorned woman seeking revenge and money,” leaving her career as a composer “in tatters.”
“In publicly branding Nomi as a liar, and a failed temptress who lied about him for reasons of revenge and greed, Elfman and his representatives defamed Nomi,” her lawyers wrote at the time.
In moving to dismiss that case, Elfman’s lawyers cited California’s anti-SLAPP statute — a law that aims to make it easier for judges to quickly dismiss cases that threaten protected speech. They argued that the response statement came in a letter threatening to sue Rolling Stone if it published Abadi’s allegations, meaning it was shielded under the litigation privilege rule.
But in her order last month, Judge Killefersaid said Elfman’s letter had been “more than just an attempt to dissuade Rolling Stone from republishing allegations of sexual misconduct.”
“It was an effort to litigate the issue before the court of public opinion, permitting Elfman to publicly deny the veracity of plaintiff’s claims while preemptively hiding behind the litigation privilege to prevent any defamation claim,” the judge wrote.
Judge Killefersaid also rejected other defense arguments from Elfman’s legal team, including their claim that his statement to Rolling Stone had merely been a statement of “opinion” that was not capable of being proven false. To the contrary, the judge ruled that his denial statement was an “assertion of fact” that could potentially put him on the hook for defamation liability.
With the anti-SLAPP motion denied, Abadi’s case against Elfman will now proceed into normal litigation, which could take years to resolve if the case is not settled.
It’s the end of an era in Canada as Justin Trudeau announces he will step down as Prime Minister.
The Liberal Party leader has held the country’s top political office since 2015. He will stay on while the Liberals hold a leadership race, with the winner becoming the next Prime Minister until an election is called.
Justin Trudeau faced calls from inside his party to step down, with his popularity plummeting amidst a year where incumbent leaders have lost elections globally.
“This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I’m having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election,” Trudeau said.
The resignation announcement comes as a major piece of arts legislation, the Online Streaming Act, is being implemented. Trudeau’s government oversaw the passing of the Streaming Act, introduced as Bill C-11, which served as the first major update of Canada’s Broadcasting Act and sought to modernize Canadian arts policy for the digital age.
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A federal election is expected soon, with Conservative Party leader — and recent Jordan Peterson podcast guest — Pierre Poilievre ahead in the polls. Poilievre came out last fall against the Streaming Act’s requirements that major foreign streamers contribute 5% of Canadian revenues to support Canadian content, likening it to a tax.
“Spotify prices are going up thanks to Trudeau,” he posted, alongside a graphic of Trudeau DJing. The regulation does not explicitly mandate streaming services to raise their prices.
It’s unclear what a change in government could mean for implementing legislation like the Online Streaming Act, though Poilievre has promised a generally cuts-heavy approach to public funding.
Last year, Trudeau also announced a $32 million increase in funding to the Canada Music Fund, which supports granting bodies FACTOR and Musicaction, and $31 million in funding for festivals and arts performances. The announcements were welcomed by several industry associations.
In recent years, Trudeau has made headlines for appearing at a handful of concerts in Toronto. After tweeting at Taylor Swift to come to Canada when she first announced the Eras Tour, he later attended with his family at Rogers Centre. When Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh played the same venue, Trudeau came backstage to congratulate him, recognizing the unique Canadian attendance record. Last year, Canadian songwriter and poet Mustafa penned an open letter to the Prime Minister to protect and speak for the people of Palestine.
While the future of Canadian politics is up in the air, writer John Semley joked on BlueSky that this may have been Trudeau’s savviest political decision: resigning before Kendrick Lamar plays “Not Like Us” at the Superbowl.
This story was originally published by Billboard Canada.
Wasserman Music has announced the hiring of Kevin Shivers, James Rubin and Cristina Baxter — all from rival agency WME. Shivers and Rubin will join Wasserman’s executive leadership team, marking the global talent firm’s largest expansion since opening its doors in 2021.
Shivers and Rubin will both hold the title of executive vice president and managing executive, while Baxter is joining as senior vp. The appointments are effective immediately, the company said.
Over a 16-year run, Los Angeles-based Shivers advanced from WME’s mail room to become a partner in the agency’s music department, where he helped lead the hip-hop division and managed global A&R. He has represented artists like Tyler, The Creator, Snoop Dogg, Kid Cudi, Solange and Lil Baby, and is known for his mentorship of rising industry leaders and for advocating diverse representation. He is also the most recent recipient of Billboard‘s peer-voted R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players Choice Award, honoring the executive who has made the greatest impact across hip-hop and R&B over the past year.
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New York City-based Rubin is coming off nine years at WME, where as senior partner and co-head of the hip-hop/R&B team he represented artists including Wiz Khalifa and Travis Scott. Prior to joining WME, he headed up the International Division for Urban Touring and specialized in international markets at The Agency Group in London. Over the years, Billboard has recognized him in its list of impressive young execs, its annual tally of top R&B/hip-hop power players and, most recently, as one of the key leaders in the global recorded-music business.
Baxter, based in Los Angeles, joined WME in 2011 as an assistant and rose to partner and co-director of the pop and rock teams. Over the years, she has represented artists like André 3000, Carly Rae Jepsen, Sofi Tukker, Kygo and others. Like Rubin, she has been recognized with awards such as Billboard‘s 40 Under 40.
All three execs expressed excitement about joining Wasserman Music — “an agency for the future,” said Shivers — citing its innovative and artist-focused approach. They all aim to contribute to the agency’s mission of empowering artists and driving growth opportunities in the industry.
“Kevin, James, and Cristina are highly respected leaders in the industry who exemplify the values on which our company is built,” said Casey Wasserman, chairman and CEO of Wasserman. “We’re thrilled to have them join Team Wass during this exciting period of growth for our global music division.”
Wasserman Music president Lee Anderson added, “It’s gratifying to now refer to some of our toughest competition as our newest teammates and partners.”
Austin’s Waterloo Records, a cornerstone of the city’s music scene since 1982, is entering a new chapter.
After over four decades as the heartbeat of Austin’s music culture, owner John Kunz has announced that he is passing the torch to new owners—Caren Kelleher, Founder & CEO of Gold Rush Vinyl, and Austin entrepreneur Trey Watson.
Along with the change in ownership, Waterloo Records will also be relocating to a new, larger space at 1105 North Lamar this spring.
Waterloo Records has long been a cultural hub for Austinites and visitors alike, hosting in-store performances by artists like Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, and Nirvana and playing a pivotal role in co-founding Record Store Day in 2008.
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“My decades-long hope, dream and endeavor, has been for Waterloo Records & Video to live on forever, continuing to promote Austin’s vibrant music culture and community,” said John Kunz.
“Now with this transition, all of my boxes are checked: a new larger home, just five blocks away; Caren and Trey buy in as my new, talented, local music industry partners; all of my team are retained and they will gain the opportunity for store ownership; all of the Waterloo Records hallmarks and traditions continue on, including innovation; and now as a minority partner and not sole proprietor, I get to work less, and play more. So thank you Austin!”
“John, Trey and I recognized this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to guard and grow an iconic music business and to get to do so in a town we all love,” said Caren Kelleher. “John was one of the first people to welcome me to Austin when I moved here to start Gold Rush Vinyl and his friendship has been so important over the years. It means so much to me that he and his wife Kathy Marcus trust me to be part of the next chapter of Waterloo.”
Trey Watson, a longtime Austin entrepreneur with a background in music and media, said the store’s legacy is part of the city’s fabric.
“Since 1982, Waterloo Records has been a large part of the fabric of that soul as a small business and as a place where people gather as a community to celebrate music. I’m honored and grateful that John Kunz has entrusted our team with guiding Waterloo into the future. We have great things planned for all to experience.”
The move to 1105 North Lamar marks a significant upgrade for Waterloo, expanding its current 6,400 sq. ft. space by 50% to allow for larger events, enhanced in-store performances, and improved parking options.
The location, previously occupied by Louis Shanks Furniture and later a Whole Foods regional office, provides modern amenities while maintaining the store’s proximity to downtown Austin and nearby music venues. This expansion underscores the commitment to keeping Waterloo a key destination for music fans and artists alike.
The transition comes at a pivotal moment for Austin, a city known for its deep musical roots but also experiencing rapid growth as a global tech hub. “Austin has a soul about it that attracted me to move here over 25 years ago and continues to draw people here today,” said Watson.