1993.09.25 - The Montgomery Advertiser - Drummer gets $2.5 million in suit

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Drummer gets $2.5 million in suit

LOS ANGELES — Former Guns N’ Roses drummer Steven Adler, who was thrown out of the band because he couldn't kick his heroin habit, got a $2.5 million settlement Friday in a lawsuit filed against the group and managers.

The agreement, reached shortly before the lawsuit would have gone to the Superior Court jury, awarded Adler $2.3 million from the band, $150,000 from ex-manager Alan Niven and $50,000 from manager Doug Goldstein.

Mr. Adler's lawyer, David Chodos, said he sued to set aside a 1990 agreement that Mr. Adler was asked to sign giving up his partnership interest in the band.

Mr. Chodos said the agreement was read to Mr. Adler and signed without an attorney present on his behalf.

During the trial. Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, whose real name is Saul Hudson, testified that Mr. Adler was “strung out" when he signed the agreement and was “nodding out” during rehearsals.

Mr. Adler, 28, did not dispute the band's right to fire him, Mr. Chodos said.

After the settlement was read in open court, jurors stopped on their way from the courtroom to shake Mr. Adler's hand.

“The jurors felt that Steve had been unfairly treated,” Mr. Chodos said.

Mr. Chodos said Mr. Adler had tried and failed to kick his addiction, but is trying again.

The Tennessean, September 25, 1993



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Band’s ex-drummer gets $2.5 million

Associated Press

Former Guns N’ Roses drummer Steven Adler, who was thrown out of the band because he couldn’t kick his heroin habit, got a $2.5 million settlement yesterday in a lawsuit filed against the group and managers.

The agreement, reached shortly before the lawsuit would have gone to the Superior Court jury, awarded Adler $2.3 million from the band, $150,000 from ex-manager Alan Niven and $50,000 from manager
Doug Goldstein.

Adler’s lawyer, David Chodos, said he sued to set aside a 1990 agreement that Adler was asked to sign giving up his partnership interest in the band. Chodos said the agreement was read to Adler and signed without an attorney present.

During the trial, Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash, whose real name is Saul Hudson, testified that Adler was "strung out” when he signed the agreement and was "nodding out” during rehearsals.

The Gazette/Los Angeles Daily News, September 26, 1993



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Guns N’ Roses ex-member settles for $2.5 million

FRED SHUSTER
LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS

LOS ANGELES - Ex-Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler will receive $2.5 million from the group and its former and current managers, under a settlement of a lawsuit that was scheduled to go to a jury last Friday.

Under the settlement, Adler will receive $2.3 million from the band; $50,000 from its manager, Doug
Goldstein; and $ 150,000 from exmanager Alan Niven.

Adler, 28, sued after he was kicked out of the band in 1989 because members claimed he had a heroin problem.

“I consider it insane that Steven Adler should have his junkiedom rewarded,” Niven said. “I resent having to pay a single nickel in settlement.”

Adler did not return telephone calls Friday.