1997

Organiser of Leslie Cheung's concerts sued

1997-04-25

The controversy that surrounded Hong Kong singer Leslie Cheung's concerts here in January continues -this time in the form of a backstage squabble.

J. P. Entertainment, which organised the outrageous shows that saw the singer wearing red stilettos and touching his private parts, is being sued by Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (Compass) for delay of payment of royalties from the two shows held on Jan 31 and Feb 1.

Compass is a non-profit copyright administration company that represents many Singapore music writers and publishing firms.

Concert promoters have to seek permission from Compass to hold gigs.

Twenty-eight days after the performance, organisers have to show ticket sales reports and pay royalties due Compass.

Mr Melvin Tan, Compass licensing manager, told Life!: "J. P. Entertainment has made an initial payment of about $ 6,800 prior to the concerts to obtain a permit to carry out the two shows.

"But they have failed to make the royalty payment of $ 13,500, which was due on March 1 despite repeated reminders."

The concerts had an estimated gross taking of $ 800,000, he added.

Mr Tan said Compass has also had problems concerning payment from Jasper Productions, whose managing director, Mr Jimmy Loh, is also the consultant for J. P. Entertainment.

He said that Compass had already filed legal proceedings against Jasper Productions for late payment of royalties for the Beyond concert in June, and the two Grasshopper shows in July last year.

"And for Aaron Kwok's concert in December last year, they did not even seek permission from us," he said.

Mr Loh could not be reached by press time.

When contacted for comment, managing director of J. P. Entertainment Penny Ang said her company had asked for a postponement in payment for the Cheung concerts late last month "but they refused".

"There isn't really any trouble here," she said. "We are going to give them the cheque this Saturday".

The Straits Times (Singapore)