The suit stems from an onstage fight last fall
A major lawsuit has recently been filed against Jane’s Addiction lead singer Perry Farrell by his bandmates Dave Navarro, Eric Avery, and Stephen Perkins.
The lawsuit, filed today (Wed, July 16th) in Los Angeles County Superior Court, stems from an onstage altercation in September 2024 during a concert in Boston, per Rolling Stone. During the incident, Farrell reportedly shoved and punched Dave Navarro. This event led to the immediate cancellation of their North American tour and the suspension of all band activities, including a planned new album.
Navarro, Avery, and Perkins are seeking at least $10 million in damages, claiming significant financial losses due to the tour’s cancellation and the halting of other band projects. The complaint also accuses Farrell of assault and battery (specifically from Navarro), intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty.
The lawsuit alleges that Farrell’s “sudden, violent outbursts and demonstrated inability to serve as the Band’s frontman and vocalist” have rendered the band unable to function. It also details claims of Farrell performing while intoxicated, frequently drinking wine onstage, slurring his speech, and engaging in “long, rambling discursions” between songs.
The complaint also reveals that the band agreed to operate democratically while on their Love & Rockets reunion tour. If a disagreement surfaced, the group was to use a “majority rules” approach to solve the problem, which the complaint reads, “Perry had an egregious habit of overruling decisions of the Band, and selfishly making everything about himself and [his wife] Etty.”
Furthermore, the suit reveals personal financial impacts on the band members, stating that Navarro, who had been receiving $25,000 per month in disability insurance due to long COVID-19, terminated those payments to participate in the tour, and also lost $50,000 in wedding deposits due to the tour’s cancellation. It also reveals that each member was to make $210,000 for the run, and that the group owes $240,000 in unpaid commissions to their manager, business manager, and legal team.
Following the September 2024 incident, Farrell issued a public apology, taking “full accountability” for his actions.
