The Romantics Sue Makes of 'Guitar Hero' Over Excellent Cover Song
Do you remember The Romantics? The group had a hit in 1980 with "What I Like About You." Of course, now you remember. Is there anything else you remember this foursome for? No, we didn't think so.
It turns out you can now also remember them as the one-hit-wonders that sued Activision because the cover version of "What I Like About You" included in the last version of 'Guitar Hero' was simply too good.
Activision, Red Octane, Harmonix, and Wave Group Sound are named in a suit that alleges that the cover version included in the game is so good (read: realistic), fans can't tell the difference between the original and the cover.
The most absurd part is that the Romantics are trying to get the game pulled from store shelves, several months after its release!
From USA Today
Related Links:
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Frank Rizzo @ Nov 26th 2007 5:54PM
they had at least two hits. rememeber talking in your sleep.
Maurice @ Nov 27th 2007 4:02AM
http://evolutionfacts.blogspot.com
Oh no, I love that game.
ascatal @ Nov 27th 2007 11:36AM
ummm its supposed to sound like the real song, what did they expect it to sound like? a 50 year drunk singing it at a kareoke bar? geez
ravine62 @ Nov 27th 2007 7:45PM
They should be thankful.Thay might actually make a buck from this.Maybe some kids may actually like the song enough to buy the cd.NOT!!!!!!!!!!!
These guys sucked then and they still suck now!
They should be happy that their song is being played somewhere else than a Knotts Berry Farm commercial!!!
Michael Sussman @ Nov 27th 2007 8:03PM
I think they expect some royalties, fair enough?
Dani @ Nov 28th 2007 2:35PM
They charge enough for the game that they should pay the artist they cover. Come on the game cost like $90
Meagan @ Nov 28th 2007 2:44PM
The deal is, the makers of GH actively try to get artists to allow them to use their own songs, that's why some say the song is BY an artist, while others say it was MADE FAMOUS BY the artist. Chances are, the Romantics wouldn't allow GH the rights to the actual song, so they made a "covered" version. Maybe that's a little crappy, but seriously, even Metallica is on GH3 and we all know what a pain in the ass they can be about using their name.
Larry @ Nov 29th 2007 11:09AM
... they should absolutely pay them ,, artists need to safeguard their property,,,if you are going to use a "COVER VERSION" of a song soley for the reason that that version almost exactly emulates the original then you are doing so to cut corners and maximize your profit... profit that would have been given to the Romantics.. i say shame on activision,,, they are going to make millions on this game ... i have a feeling they pulled the same skullduggery with Deep Purple's "highway Star" in the commercial ,,, i thought it was a"remix " a first but i noticed there was a slight difference in the vocal... they won't get away with this...
eydielou @ Dec 6th 2007 5:03PM
I actually remember them for "Talking In Your Sleep," a much better (and much more '80s-epitomizing) tune than "What I Like About You." But the latter is prolly the band's biggest licensing revenue stream. It's unclear though if the band was paid licensing fees by Guitar Hero's makers--if so, then they should be glad that the cover isn't so lame as to dilute the worth of the original.