Johnny Cash estate sues Coca-Cola, accuses company of ‘pirating’ singer’s voice
Johnny Cash performing on stage (Photo by Bob King/Redferns)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The estate of the late country music legend Johnny Cash has filed a lawsuit against The Coca-Cola Company accusing the soda manufacturer of "pirating Johnny Cash’s voice in a nationwide advertising campaign to enrich itself—without asking for permission or providing any compensation."
Dig deeper:
According to the complaint, filed November 25, Coca-Cola’s new campaign—titled "Fan Work Is Thirsty Work"—features a commercial called "Go the Distance." The ad depicted fans enjoying Coca-Cola products accompanied by a male vocal track that the lawsuit claims sounds "remarkably like" Johnny Cash.
The trust alleged that Coca-Cola’s advertising agency commissioned an original song and hired a professional Johnny Cash tribute singer—whose career centers on impersonating Cash—to perform it.
The lawsuit contends his involvement was intended to make the ad sound as close as possible to Cash’s real voice.
Despite the clear association, the trust said Coca-Cola never sought a license to use Cash’s voice or a sound-alike.
The lawsuit alleges that Coca-Cola is continuing to broadcast the commercial and "exploit the Voice" without authorization.
The filing accuses the company of knowingly infringing on Johnny Cash’s right of publicity and misleading consumers for commercial gain.
The trust is seeking $75,000.
The other side:
FOX Television Stations has reached out to the Coca-Cola Company for comment.
Johnny Cash's life and legacy
The backstory:
Cash was born in Kingsland, a tiny town about 60 miles south of Little Rock.
He died in 2003 at age 71.
His achievements include 90 million records sold worldwide spanning country, rock, blues, folk and gospel. He is among the few artists inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The Source: The Associated Press contributed to this report. The information in this story comes directly from the lawsuit filed by the Johnny Cash estate. This story was reported from Los Angeles.