Chad Taylor's blog! Options

[sellingthdrama]

So, if these guys decide they want to use the name Live and get a new singer, and he had never sent this e-mail, what would any of us think? Without revealing why Ed was kicked out of the band they wouldn't have the ability to use the name without a lot of confusion for fans. That's their right.

My thoughts exactly. If that's what they did, we'd all speculate. It would cloud their futures. They have a right to give the reasons, end the speculation, and it will make moving on that much easier. I guess we can debate how much detail is necessary, but I don't think they went over the line with their FOL email and blog post.

[OutToDry]

Better to have the truth be told now as it seems like this has been bottling up for years. The guys finding out about the secret publishing contract since the hiatus is unfortunately the final straw.

I think this festering is better not kept under wraps. Chad stated the band made attempts to resolve the matter with Ed to no avail. Hence what we got yesterday. We can all pass judgement on this, but it is the music business. Many a time big bands break up w/o the real story being told. In this age of the internet, rumors spread with light speed as opposed to 10-15 yrs ago when no one could get information w/o a PA release from a band spokesman. Chad being respectful of Ed in his communications show his professionalism, even though you can see he's very hurt. I respect their stance of telling the fans. IMHO...It's what I would want too, if it was me, I would do the same thing.

[Hoodstock]

Got the email today from friendsoflive. Really sucks to know that I'll never see the band with Ed again. Was holding out hope for some tour maybe 10 years down the line where they come back with the hits. Dream dead!

Excited that the band plans to continue with Live. Look forward to TGF (maybe with rotating singers) or a new Live frontman.

Think I'll dust off the old CD's and give them a spin tonight.

Live's music has been a huge part of my life for a long time. Have to say it's not the end of the world, but to see my band do this saddens me a lot.

[malon78]

Right, wrong or indifferent it seems the guys have found a need to split. The fact of the matter is this makes my heart ache. And it saddens me people who were brought together over their LOVE of the band and their music are suddenly fighting over the why's, whose's and how comes and who can play what with whom. I feel for the guys all of them, Adam included as to me he IS a member of Live whether he was ever officially recognized as one of not. The fact is this though probably coming SUCKS.

LIVE was the cool band I would listen to at my friend Brent's house in high school, the first concert a boyfriend took me to in early college, the first girlfriends road trip I took in my early 20's, a reason to get my BFF out of the Mom mode for a weekend and just go out of town for a show,a trip to Virginia Tech that led me to deal with some serious hurt feelings from previous years and a chance to meet Adam, my nieces first concert in DC with her custom made "MY FIRST LIVE" shirt at all of 3 or 4 years old, and an excuse to go to AC w/ the husband. I have seen Live in PA, NY, VA, NJ and DC, and each show taken friends with me who either knew the music or fell in love with the music while there, and at each show having found FOL and FansofLive would meet more wonderful people along the way.
Live is the band whose bootleg copied cd I sat and cried to in a park on 9/11, and then cried harder when "overcome" came onto MTV the next am with videos of the event. Ed's words at the Jane's Addiction show shortly after the 9/11 attacks made me tear up, his singing Imagine directly after had me crying, this is the same show where my friend refereed to Ed as a roadie on the stage while in ear shot as he didn't realize it was an "Ed w/ hair" period. Live was the reason I met some great friends from all over the world who though I am very rarely in chat or on the boards I still stay in contact with today via myspace, facebook, and aim.
Live is the music I go to when I'm sad, when I'm reminiscent, and when I'm happy. Each time I listen to an album something new speaks to me. A friend recently told me "you know I have to give you credit for staying with and supporting a band that gets no air play it shows real dedication." My response was that video killed the radio star, and current pop culture killed some of the greatest bands ever and that if you like a band or artist even if they aren't getting top 40 airplay it doesn't mean they aren't producing amazing music.
Yes there was a change in the bands music. But there was a change in lives, their ages, their responsibilities and they grew as people, fathers, husbands, and musicians. You can't except a band that is together for 10+ years to not change their music as they change. It just makes no sense and in all honesty isn't a fair expectation of the fans to have.
At the end of the day how the air or don't air this situation is their choice, good bad or ugly. My hope is that eventually though they may not be able to mend the wounds that will get the band back together, I hope they can at least once again become friends and not loose years of friendship, experience, and brotherhood.
-Autumn-

[wisemonkey1]

This truly bad news. I thought I would chime in with a few thoughts:

I am amazed that LIVE would break up now and not back in the late 90s or early 2000s. You could tell even then that Eddie has some ego issues. I will never forget the studio video of "they stood up for love" where Eddie looked so damn angry. I remember seeing that video and thinking that he looked like he had rage / drug issues back then. If the band could tolerate his ego then, it is all more sad that it would end this way after all this time. Maybe it was a long time coming.

I have some concerns about the TGF. The remaining members of LIVE are extremely original and talented in my opinion. Collaborating with the old singer of Candlebox is just going to make the new band only sound like, well.... Candlebox! The same thing happened when Chris Cornell and RATM formed Audioslave. I would have much rather seen LIVE regroup with a new and unique singer. I am sure some people love Candlebox but I am not one of them. They were a bit to whiney and glam rockish for my taste. Flame me if you want but it is how I feel and is why I loved LIVE so much! There has never been anyone like them and likely never will be. Chad's guitar solos are about the only ones I have ever paid attention to. All four of them made something very special. We all know that!

Last thing is I don't think we should rush to judgment on either side just yet. Eddie has said virtually nothing and a lot could have been said and done in the past 20 years or so. Maybe there is more to the story?

[LiveFan92]

I see a link between the timing that Jon P posted something that was pretty spot on and CT coming out a day later with his blog ...

So did we ever figure out which member of the band Jon P is??

[Pokey]

So did we ever figure out which member of the band Jon P is??

Ed

[Liveoneut]

The part about acknowledging Live's past and Ed's contributions is certainly respectful, I don't think that's arguable.

As for the airing of dirty laundry - I thought it was warranted in this case. I think being truthful (we can debate another time the "truth" of the matter) and confrontational is a form of respect. If I do not respect someone, I do not bother confronting them privately or publicly. Confrontation has a purpose - it's a step in resolving issues. This may be a very positive thing for the future of Live.

Whether or not it's our business isn't relevant here (and of course it's not our business). It's a matter of CT wanting to set the record straight about the band. No, we don't have a right to know. But CT does have a right to give an explanation. And if, in order to explain his actions and reasoning behind it, he needs to give some detail, I think that's justified.

You said it Drama! I too agree with Chad's decision to let the fans know what the hell is going on. I love these guys, I really do...and as hard as it is to hear all of this stuff, I'm glad I finally know.

Take care everyone,
Mark

[ridley]

What do people make of the "EKLive" thing?

It's almost as if Ed was pre-empting something like this happening and wanting to get in first by forever associating his name with the band (and vice-versa) as a strategic move for his solo career. He even signed "EK Live" on the LPs I got signed earlier this year...

[thefunkyredcaboose]

What do people make of the "EKLive" thing?

It's almost as if Ed was pre-empting something like this happening and wanting to get in first by forever associating his name with the band (and vice-versa) as a strategic move for his solo career. He even signed "EK Live" on the LPs I got signed earlier this year...

Makes me wonder if we'll see Eddie have to change his website, Twitter, etc.

[SJN1279]

What do people make of the "EKLive" thing?

It's almost as if Ed was pre-empting something like this happening and wanting to get in first by forever associating his name with the band (and vice-versa) as a strategic move for his solo career. He even signed "EK Live" on the LPs I got signed earlier this year...

So the guys own the name Live and Ed doesn't? How is that possible? Why is Ed allowed to play all the songs in concert then? To me the whole thing is a mess.

Finding a lead singer to replace Ed will be extremely difficult. Like him or not, Ed has one of the strongest stage presences and voices around. Also, if Live gets some young buck as their new singer, they will look like 3 Grandpa's rocking out on stage with him.

Ed with a new band isn't a bargain either, and could run into the same problems. The boys may need each other down the line. Bridges can always be rebuilt.

[OutToDry]

What do people make of the "EKLive" thing?

It's almost as if Ed was pre-empting something like this happening and wanting to get in first by forever associating his name with the band (and vice-versa) as a strategic move for his solo career. He even signed "EK Live" on the LPs I got signed earlier this year...

Absolutely....I saw that parallel right away. He's saying I am Live, remember that bald headed frontman who sang lightning crashes. I am EK.



Ed Kowalcyzk sounds a bit too boring for the bright lights of a solo career.



anyone remember edko?

[OutToDry]

So the guys own the name Live and Ed doesn't? How is that possible? Why is Ed allowed to play all the songs in concert then? To me the whole thing is a mess.

Finding a lead singer to replace Ed will be extremely difficult. Like him or not, Ed has one of the strongest stage presences and voices around. Also, if Live gets some young buck as their new singer, they will look like 3 Grandpa's rocking out on stage with him.

Ed with a new band isn't a bargain either, and could run into the same problems. The boys may need each other down the line. Bridges can always be rebuilt.

Perhaps after the bloodletting, time will allow a healing and to get to a place where they can again share the stage. Time will heal.

[ridley]

So the guys own the name Live and Ed doesn't? How is that possible? Why is Ed allowed to play all the songs in concert then? To me the whole thing is a mess.

I guess that's the beauty of the name 'Live'. Ed could easily justify his website name etc as being related to his touring (i.e. Eddie K live in concert). It's not like it's written in a +Live+ logo-esque font...

Ed with a new band isn't a bargain either, and could run into the same problems.

I felt kinda dirty listening to Ed's concert with the Metropole Orchestra on youtube, with a session guitarist and drummer doing the Chads' parts....

...especially on I Alone with Chad T's signature extended intro

This post has been edited by ridley: Dec 1 2009, 6:27 pm

[thefunkyredcaboose]

So the guys own the name Live and Ed doesn't? How is that possible? Why is Ed allowed to play all the songs in concert then? To me the whole thing is a mess.

Chad discussed all of this in his blog in about as clear terms as he can, its a difficult subject.

Ed can play all the songs by any artist he wants, just like any other performer. That doesn't have anything to do with the issue of the name.

I realize its easier to just say the whole thing is a mess, but you could do some research about how the music industry functions with copyrights and trademarks. Its really fascinating stuff but very complex.