Crowes sue over 'failed payouts'

Jimmy Page's injury forced tour cancellation

American band The Black Crowes have filed a "multi-million dollar" lawsuit against insurance group Lloyds of London for allegedly not paying out for a scrapped concert tour.

The rock band was forced to cancel its North American and European tours with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page last year.

Page had to pull out of the concert dates after a back injury left him unable to perform.

The statement on behalf of the band said The Black Crowes and Page had bought a policy from Lloyds, insuring against loss in the event that any portion of the tour was cancelled.

The lawsuit, which claims breach of contract and bad faith, said the Crowes suffered "great financial loss" in terms of lost profits and unrecovered expenses.

'Malicious'

The lawsuit also states: "Lloyds has embarked on a malicious course of conduct that threatens the interest, rights and livelihood of The Black Crowes."

It was filed in Los Angeles and seeks multimillion-dollar punitive damages, the statement said.

A spokesman for Lloyds said the issue of who the writ was directed at was complex because it was not a single company.

He added: "We understand a writ has been filed against underwriters of Lloyds but there is a suggestion the actual issue may relate to an outside company."

The nature of Page's injury has not been released, but the guitarist Jeff Beck, a close friend, said the illness was severe and he had to have lighter guitars made for him.

The Black Crowes have confirmed a string of American dates with British band Oasis, starting on 11 May in Las Vegas.