Posted on 01/14/2003 5:48:13 PM PST by dighton
The rock musician Van Morrison yesterday settled an employment tribunal after the sister of the American singer Jerry Lee Lewis dropped claims of sex discrimination against him.
Linda Gail Lewis had accused Morrison, 57, of trying to “ruin her life” by making unwanted sexual advances and telling her to divorce her husband.
Miss Lewis, 54, eight times married, a singer-songwriter who toured with Morrison, withdrew five claims of sex discrimination against the Belfast musician following six hours of legal discussions at the tribunal in Cardiff. Neither side would comment on the terms of the settlement.
Miss Lewis, of Penarth, south Wales, began the tribunal action nearly two years ago. She claimed Morrison had “publicly humiliated” her on stage in the United States while she was touring with him.
She had claimed that she was sacked with three months left of a tour after working with Morrison for nine months. The tribunal had previously dismissed her claim for unfair dismissal.
However, the tribunal ruled that five out of 13 allegations of sex discrimination against Miss Lewis could be heard at a full hearing which was due to begin yesterday.
Morrison denied having a sexual relationship with Miss Lewis. An earlier order banning the identification of Morrison was lifted after yesterday’s proceedings, during which the settlement was announced.
Paul Tweed, Morrison’s solicitor, said afterwards: “Mr Morrison remains very disappointed that the legal process has taken nearly two years to reach this stage.
“However, he is pleased that these claims have finally been withdrawn. He has now accepted a full apology and comprehensive retraction which represents a complete vindication of his stance from the outset.” Miss Lewis’s legal representative, Christine Thompson, told the tribunal: “We would like to withdraw our case. Both parties have agreed to the terms of a settlement.”
Neither side would comment on a report that the settlement included a payment by Morrison of £14,000 in relation to her work with him.
A source close to the case was quoted as saying: “The settlement means Miss Lewis will get £9,000 compensation for cancelled concerts and a minimum of £5,000 in royalties from the album they recorded together. That figure could go up to £50,000 depending on sales.” The hearing heard that Miss Lewis’s career began when she was 14. She had made six solo albums and had appeared on more than 50 others, mainly with her brother.
Miss Lewis said she first met Morrison, best known for his songs Brown Eyed Girl and Moondance, at a convention in America for her brother, Jerry Lee Lewis, eight years ago. A professional and personal relationship developed, she said.
Morrison, who has had a long standing relationship with Michelle Rocca, a former Miss Ireland, had earlier told the tribunal all members of his band were self-employed and therefore could not be sacked.
Must be those voices in her head!
["Have I told you lately that I..."]
Ms. Lewis must have, uh, something (maturity?) that the others lack...
Miss Lewis (still a Miss, huh?), who recorded a terrific duets album with her bro in the mid 60s and then nothing after a so-so solo album (if memory serves right), must have confused Van the Man with a #9, me thinks! Plusm as a bonus, we get the obligatory post-modern "sex discrimination" complaint.
ALWAYS up for a MOONDANCE!!!!!!
England has a sex tribunal? Kinky!
I can hear the church bell chime..............ding.
In the same interview that I read that in, Linda said that she was romantic with Van (why does the article refer to her as "Miss" Lewis if he supposedly wanted her to leave her husband??). She also said that Van didn't like Linda upstaging her and scaled back her performances.
It's all he-said/she-said, to be sure. She's the one walking away with money though.
I saw them interviewed shortly after their marriage. She was obviously a lot smarter than the Killer.
Ultimately, it hurts her in the music business. Morrison is a musical legend with a lot of friends.
It's not easy having green.
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