Ongoing History Daily: Muse vs. Celine Dion

October 7, 2022October 7, 2022 Alan Cross 0 Comments

Sounds like the guys in Muse were always keen on world domination and had some good advice on how to do it. Around the time of their first album, Showbiz, in 1999, they figured out a way to acquire worldwide performing rights to their name. Once they did this, there was no way for anyone anywhere to legally use the word “muse” in any sort of performance that involved music.

In 2002, Celine Dion was signed to a big Las Vegas contract and she decided that she wanted to call the production Muse. Uh-huh. Can’t do that. The guys from the band threatened legal action. Dion offered $50,000 to buy the rights. The band said “No way. The last mistake we want to make is let people think we’re you’re backing band.”

In the end, Celine Dion backed down and Muse had successfully protected their name.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

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