RAMONES - RAMONES DRUMMER SUES LATE BANDMATE

RAMONES DRUMMER SUES LATE BANDMATE

Former RAMONES drummer RICHARD REINHARDT is suing the estate of late bandmate JOHNNY RAMONE and the punk group's management company, claiming he's owed $1 million (GBP500,000) in royalties. Reinhardt, aka Richie Ramone, claims he never signed over the rights to six songs he wrote for the group that are currently available as Internet downloads. The drummer, who spent four years in the band from 1983 to 1987, claims he's owed cash for songs like Somebody Put Something in My Drink, I'm Not Jesus and I Know Better Now. Reinhardt insists there was never a written deal authorising the sale of the songs digitally. He has asked a federal court to issue an injunction preventing further use of his compositions without permission, while he fights for the cash he claims he's owed.