Former Anthrax Vocalist Dan Nelson Files $2.65M Lawsuit Against Band

Posted on Nov 11th 2011 4:00PM by Contessa Gayles Comments

Dan Nelson Marc Broussely, Redferns

Dan Nelson, the ousted lead singer of Anthrax, filed a $2.65 million defamation suit yesterday (Nov. 10) against his former bandmates, for causing irreparable harm to his career with their badmouthing ways following his falling out with the group.

Reportedly, Nelson claimed that drummer Charlie Benante, bassist Frank Bello and guitarist Scott Ian falsely stated in "numerous interviews" that he had "abruptly resigned" from the group after he became sick and that he subsequently forced the cancellation of the band's tour. Nelson has previously denied that he was ever sick.

According to Nelson, his ex-bandmates' "intentional defamation" have damaged his reputation and resulted in a loss of income. The multi-million dollar, New York-filed suit also alleged that Benante maliciously told metal news site Blabbermouth that Nelson "was a bully."

In addition to payback for the alleged smear campaign, Nelson is also seeking compensation for the songs he co-wrote on the band's latest album, 'Worship Music.'

Anthrax has cycled through a whopping seven lead vocalists since the band's 1981 inception. Nelson served as frontman from December 2007 through July 2009.

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