Sons of rock legend Roy Orbison launch legal action over tour hologram

The sons of rock legend Roy Orbison have filed a lawsuit in New York Supreme Court have filed a lawsuit against the hologram company that was first to create a digital incarnation behind a tour next year.

It is set to visit the UK in April and Australia in May, featuring an orchestra, the two sons and an Orbison grandson.

The suit filed by the company Roy’s Boys claims that it entered into a contract with Greek billionaire Alkiviades David’s Hologram USA to produce a hologram to be presented in a 90-minute show.

The concerts were designed to make money for the Orbison estate and keep his name in the public eye.

A contract was signed in February 2015 where Hologram USA was to deliver a prototype of the hologram by a specified time.

Eighteen months later, when this was allegedly not done, the deal was terminated by letter.

The seven-page court documents say, “Hologram did not dispute the Oct. 11, 2016, notice of termination.”

Roy’s Boys then signed with BASE Holograms LLC in March 2017 to produce the hologram. This is the one that is visiting Australia.

In early November, David stated through his attorney that he was disputing the tearing up of the contract and threatened to sue because it was valid for five years and that a hologram had been created.

Roy’s Boys took legal action, complaining that “The conduct of Hologram, Mr. David and their attorney is improper and for the express purpose of interfering with Plaintiff and BASE’s upcoming tour.”

The sons want the court to stop using Orbison’s image and to declare their agreement null and void.

Hologram USA has indicated a possible lawsuit against BASE Holograms.

Texas-born Orbison had a string of giant solo hits as ‘Oh, Pretty Woman’, ‘You Got It’, ‘Only The Lonely’, ‘Crying’, ‘Running Scared’ and ‘In Dreams’ in the ‘60s. The melancholy songs were augmented by his semi-operatic vocals.

His career declined after that due to personal tragedies until in 1988 he formed The Travelling Wilburys supergroup with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne.

Its chart-topping success led to a solo album Mystery Girl, another hit. But the ensuing schedule led to his death in December that year from a heart attack at the age of 52.

This month, A Love So Beautiful: Roy Orbison with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra album was released through Sony Music.

The Roy Orbison In Dreams: The Hologram AUS Tour is scheduled for Brisbane Entertainment Centre (May 4), Sydney ICC Theatre (6), Melbourne Hisense Arena (8), Perth Arena (11) and Adelaide Entertainment Centre (13).