Prince: Latest on New Lawsuit Involving Late Icon’s Estate
Prince and his estate are at the center of a new lawsuit, which sees his heirs fighting among themselves and potentially putting the estate in jeopardy. Billboard reports this new lawsuit…
Prince and his estate are at the center of a new lawsuit, which sees his heirs fighting among themselves and potentially putting the estate in jeopardy.
Billboard reports this new lawsuit filed in a Delaware court comes a year after issues with Prince's estate had finally been settled. The new lawsuit was filed by L. Londell McMillan and Charles Spicer. These two people are longtime friends of Prince and managers of Prince Legacy, one of two holding companies that run the icon's $156 million estate.
McMillan and Spicer filed the lawsuit against four of Prince's family members: His half-sisters, Sharon Nelson and Norrine Nelson, niece Breanna Nelson, and nephew Allen Nelson. McMillan and Spicer allege these family members have been trying to squeeze them out of the business of Prince's estate.
Billboard quotes McMillan and Spicer's legal filing stating, "The Individual defendants lack any business and management experience, have no experience in the music and entertainment industries, and have no experience negotiating and managing high-level deals in the entertainment industry."
Noting the history of infighting among Prince's family members, the lawsuit also states, "Based on the amount and complexity of the work that Prince Legacy is involved with, they are simply not capable of stepping in and managing its business."
The previous Prince estate lawsuit was resolved in 2022 and lasted for over six years. Billboard reported at that time, " ... The agreement paves the way for disbursement of Prince’s assets, including $6 million in cash and many times that in music rights and other intangibles. They’ll be split between three heirs and their families, their advisers, and Primary Wave — which owns roughly half of the estate.
Prince died suddenly in April 2016 at age 57. He did not have a will, which is the reason for these many legal issues.
Prince and the Revolution's iconic Purple Rain was released 37 years ago today (June 25.) Its run on the top of the Billboard 200 Album Chart has made it one of the most successful soundtracks of all time.
This got us thinking about other soundtracks that topped the Billboard 200 over the years. Here are seven, and some may surprise you.
'Saturday Night Fever' (1977)
RSO/CapitolThe 'Saturday Night Fever' not only topped the Billboard album chart for a staggering 24 weeks, it also won the GRAMMY for Album of the Year.
'Purple Rain' (1984)
Warner Bros.What 'Saturday Night Fever' was to the 1970s, that’s what 'Purple Rain' was to the 1980s. Oddly enough, this Prince vehicle also topped the Billboard album chart for 24 weeks.
'Mary Poppins' (1965)
UMGAn undeniable classic that has entertained families for generations, the soundtrack to Disney’s 'Mary Poppins' topped the Billboard album chart for 14 weeks in 1965 thanks to the incomparable Julie Andrews.
'Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1' (2014)
UMGWhat makes this soundtrack’s success so interesting is that it’s the only soundtrack to top the Billboard 200 album chart that is comprised entirely of previously released songs. It’s worth mentioning that each track is a classic rock/classic hits mainstay, which only helps prove the staying power of these songs.
'Wayne’s World' (1992)
RepriseAnother example of the power of classic rock! This soundtrack topped the Billboard 200 chart for two weeks on the strength of the film’s use of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
'Miami Vice' (1985-86)
UMGJust how huge was this TV series? Its soundtrack was the number one album on the Billboard 200 for 11 weeks with tracks from Glenn Frey, Tina Turner, Phil Collins and that killer instrumental theme from Jan Hammer.
'Top Gun' (1986)
Columbia/LegacyKenny Loggins, FTW! Between “Danger Zone” and Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away,” it’s no wonder this soundtrack topped the Billboard 200 chart for five weeks in 1986.
