It may not have been “Lightning,” but something has crashed through the original lineup of Live.
In an Instagram post Tuesday, frontman Ed Kowalczyk revealed that founding guitarist Chad Taylor had been let go from the band.
That announcement was preceded by a comment Kowalczyk made while responding to a fan asking about potential tour dates, in which the singer wrote, “I would love to perform, but it’s not possible in the current situation with the band.”
“The three other original members are not speaking to each other, and I am stuck in the middle,” Kowalczyk shared. “If I try to go solo, there is a good chance they will sue me again.”
Kowalczyk had previously faced legal proceedings from his bandmates after he left Live in 2009. He eventually returned to the band in 2016.
“I have to do what’s best for me and my family and try to stay out of litigation by not performing in public at all,” Kowalczyk added. “Hopefully things change but until then I have to law low.”
Kowalczyk didn’t get into the specifics of Live’s current disagreements, but his follow-up post suggests that the blame lies with Taylor.
“As of last evening, I control 55% of Live,” Kowalczyk wrote. “Chad Taylor is fired. He will never stop the music again.”
Kowalczyk also thanked the fans for their “amazing love and support.”
“I cried multiple times yesterday reading your comments and messages,” he wrote. “It really meant the world to me and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”
Presumably, Live still includes fellow founding members Patrick Dahlheimer and Chad Gracey alongside Kowalcyzk.
Live’s most recent release is the 2018 EP, Local 717.
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