exploremusic

It looks like Live as we know it is coming to an end and that the split is less than amicable.

Guitarist Chad Taylor has sent the following message to fans by way of the Friends Of Live fan club:

"Dead Friend of Live,

Let me start by thanking you for your many years of devoted loyalty to our music. Bands are lucky if they have one hit and fade away but in the case of Live, you kept us relevant for more than 20 years. Today I am writing you as a fan of the band with sad news.

As many of you know, Live was having a hard time keeping things together. After many years of friendship, love and laughter it became clear that things had run their course. I was in denial. Our working relationship with Ed had grown cold and we were only on limited speaking terms for the last several months. We agreed for the sake of the bands future to take a break and announced the hiatus.

During that time period we discovered a contract executed in 2005 that engaged the bands company into a legal obligation that did not have majority consent from the band. Ed’s signature was the only one required.

We were fast to try and open communication with Ed or his legal team but got no reply. Our hiatus had fast turned into a break up. Chad, Patrick and I have no plans to replace Ed at this point in time, however, he will no longer be a member of our band. We are excited by the opportunities ahead of us and will look to enjoin forces with vocalists and instrumentalists that will hold high the ideals set forth by the band and its fans. Yes, there may be future Live recording and tours but we are all very realistic that it will never be the same without Ed. That doesn’t mean that it can’t be great.

Like you, we are greatly saddened by the discoveries we made but as many of you know, life has a way of sorting things out. Ed will always be tied to Live and we will never make attempts to shadow his considerable lyrical and melodic contributions to our music.

Stay tuned to FOL for more details on our future plans. I would also ask that we all take the time to remember the positive energy Ed, Chad, Patrick and I spent so many years pushing forward. I’m trying hard myself to not be judgmental and let life flow freely around me.

Love,
Chad Taylor
On behalf of Chad Gracey and Patrick Dahlheimer"

I’m assuming the ‘d’ in the first word is supposed to be an ‘r.’

I’m sorry to hear this news due as much to the negative circumstances as due to the fact itself that Ed Kowalczyk is no longer in Live.

I haven’t loved Live’s more recent material as much as I love their first three albums, but I think that they’ve always been genuine and they’ve made great music together.

I can’t imagine what the band will sound like with another vocalist, but I will definitely be listening when they’re ready.

I wonder when we’ll get a message from Ed. I’m interested to hear his side of the story.