LL, Baby I Didn’t Know

Imagine it.

Per Okay Player, LL Cool J had to sue someone associated with Guerilla Union, Chang Weisberg, for a trademark breach. Apparently, Weisberg used the name “Rock the Bells” without permission from LL.

I would like to report that had I known that the eponymously named festival had gone-on without due respect being given to LL, I’d’ve stayed home, but I might be lyin’. I only went once, and it was one of the best live music experiences — if not the best live music experience — of my life.

The year was 2011, which had become my personal Year of the Concert. If there was a show I wanted to see, I saw it. Period. Who knows how I got wind of that year’s line-up, but Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Immortal Technique, and Nas were slated to perform at Rock the Bells, and rock them they did — all of ’em. 

Doorbells.

Church bells.

Wedding bells.

Barbells.

Jingle bells.

…and whatever other kind of bells you can imagine. They got rocked!

Common was there, too.

Did I mention that Black Star was in the line-up? Did I mention that Mos and Talib were two of the main reasons I’d gone? Did I mention that THAT duo wrecked it and graced us with a surprise encore? Did I mention that I lost my mind when that happened?

Anyway, although I had some of the best fun I’ve had in my life at that festival, it’s a damn shame that one of the architects of an art form being heralded at a festival named for one of said architect’s most iconic songs had to take legal action against the shows producers to get his due respeck (yes, “respeck”).

I don’t know the ins and outs, but this seems lousy just the same. Shame on y’all.

Again, LL, I didn’t know, but I had a grrrrrrrrrreat time, and the next time folks decide to rock some bells around here, I hope they have the decency to ring your phone and get permission, first.