Record Label Sues Studio Owner Over TEMPLE OF THE DOG Master Tapes

According to The Seattle Times, A&M Records has filed a lawsuit against the co-founder of London Bridge Studios over ownership of the master recording tapes to the debut album from TEMPLE OF THE DOG, the famed early '90s outfit that included members of PEARL JAM and SOUNDGARDEN.

In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle earlier this week, A&M Records claims it bought the album from the band in 1991 and alleges that Rajan Parashar — brother of the LP's producer, Rick Parashar — has the master tapes and won't turn them over.

The suit reads: "On or around February 13, 1991, A&M Records, Inc. and the [band] entered into an agreement whereby the [band] agreed to deliver the master recordings of the Album, including phonograph records and other reproductions made therefrom, together with the embodied performances, and all copyrights, renewals and extensions to A&M and acknowledged that A&M owns the Master Recordings under the terms of the Artist Agreement.

"On or around December 3, 1993, the [band] and Rick Parashar entered into an agreement, whereby Rick Parashar agreed to produce the Album. On information and belief, the Producer Agreement memorialized the terms of an earlier oral agreement pursuant to which Rick Parashar agreed to produce the Album. [Rajan] was not a signatory to the Producer Agreement, and upon information and belief, [Rajan] was not a signatory to any agreements with the Artists or with A&M.

"As reflected in Section 2 of the Producer Agreement, Rick Parashar and TEMPLE OF THE DOG agreed to the following terms regarding ownership of the Album and its embodiments: '[Rick Parashar] hereby acknowledge[s] and agree[s] that the Masters and all phonograph records and other reproductions made therefrom, together with the performances embodied therein and all copyrights therein and thereto, and all renewals and extensions thereof, shall, as between [Rick Parashar] and [the band], be entirely [the band's] property, free of any claims whatsoever by [Rick Parashar] or any other person, firm, or corporation."

A&M further alleges Rick Parashar agreed to turn over the master tapes and all rights to the record company for $35,000.

Says the lawsuit: "Pursuant to Section 3 of the Producer Agreement, Rick Parashar and the [band] agreed to the following terms regarding compensation: 'In full consideration of any and all services rendered by [Rick Parashar] with respect to the Masters and for any and all rights granted by [Rick Parashar] to [the Artists] with respect thereto, [the Artists] shall pay to [Rick Parashar] the sum of Thirty-Five Thousand Dollars ($35,000),payable promptly after [Rick Parashar's] execution hereof. [Rick Parashar] hereby acknowledge[s] that [he is] not entitled to any royalties, fees or other compensation whatsoever with respect to the services performed by [Rick Parashar] in connection with the Masters or any exploitation thereof except as expressly provided herein.'"

The lawsuit claims that Rick Parashar failed to respond to several requests by A&M's attorneys to turn over the tapes.

After Rick Parashar died in August 2014, Rick Parashar's manager said the tapes were in the possession of Rajan Parashar.

The lawsuit demands Rajan Parashar turn the tapes over immediately, and asks the court to award the record company damages and attorneys' fees.

TEMPLE OF THE DOG officially consisted of SOUNDGARDEN singer Chris Cornell, SOUNDGARDEN/PEARL JAM drummer Matt Cameron, PEARL JAM bassist Jeff Ament, and PEARL JAM guitarists Mike McCready and Stone Gossard, with contributions from PEARL JAM singer Eddie Vedder.

The project was launched as a tribute to late MOTHER LOVE BONE singer Andy Wood, who died in 1990. Ament and Gossard were members of MOTHER LOVE BONE, while Cornell and Wood were close friends.