LONDON, UK (Radio 1) - Irish singer
Van Morrison is being sued for more than �150,000 after pulling out of a gig at a country pub. He had been billed to play at the Crown Hotel in Everleigh, Wiltshire, after pub landlord Gary Marlow signed him up for a one-off concert.
Mr Marlow and his wife Sarah Jane spent two years persuading the legendary star to play in their pub garden before he eventually agreed for perform to an audience of just 1,500.
The couple say they put up �37,000 of their own money to fund the gig and had built a stage. But Morrison, whose hits include Brown Eyed Girl and Gloria, cancelled the date, claiming breach of contract, and now the Marlows are claiming damages in the High Court.
A statement on behalf of the Belfast singer said: "Van Morrison will unfortunately not now be performing at The Crown Hotel, Everleigh, Wiltshire on 3 August 3 2002 due to an unacceptable and fundamental breach of contract."
Solicitor Timothy Hardacre, who is acting for The Crown Hotel, said: "High Court proceedings have been issued against Mr Van Morrison and Exile Productions Ltd seeking substantial damages arising out of the cancellation of the performance.
Coming from Australia
"Van Morrison was paid �23,000 in advance and he is being sued for in excess of �150,000."
He said all 1,500 tickets had been sold and that some guests were coming from Australia for the event. "A lot of people bought tickets on the internet and we can't warn them that the concert has been cancelled," Mr Hardacre said.
The case is due to be heard later in the year.
The Crown Hotel has a tradition of landing big name stars to play in its pub garden.
Last year Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green, absent from the music scene for many years, played a set at the 16th Century pub at a cost of �18,000, which left the Marlows with no profit.
Mr Marlow had been very excited about the prospect of Morrison playing at his pub. Speaking before the cancellation, he said: "It's taken two years to get Van. He is very pedantic and very choosy, but it will be worth it. It is a bit bizarre, having him at this pub in Wiltshire, but it's very, very cool and will be a very personal night."
