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Imperials Embroiled in Lawsuit Over Name Imperials Embroiled in Lawsuit Over Name

One of Christian music's most popular singing groups is entangled in a legal battle that puts father and son on opposing sides.

Sarah Pulliam | posted 2/28/2008 09:09AM

The Imperials, one of Christian music's most popular singing groups in the 1970s and early '80s, are currently embroiled in a complex legal battle over who owns the group's name — and who gets to ...

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Mark from Indiana

Posted: March 12, 2008 4:49 PM

it's all really a moot point anyway. If a bunch of kids bought the Beatles trademark, does that make them the real group? Even if they sang all the old songs? NO. When u consider these punks' motivations, it all comes down to selfishness anyway. You can give me all the baloney about "wanting to carry on the Imperials tradition", etc, and it's still rationalizing nonsense. The only reason they would have done this is to capitalize on the name. Especially when u consider they lay claim to past achievements of the original group. This is deceitful and full of sin. This kinda crap is the very type of thing that is wrong with CCM today. I'd question whether these guys are living a Christian life at all. I wouldn't walk across the street to listen to these guys. Let them gain popularity on their own merits, instead of notoriety of being known as Christians tearing each other up in courts. You can't buy a ministry, but a company. This shows where their hearts lie.. I'm ashamed of them.

michelle

Posted: March 12, 2008 2:39 AM

I know that his dad might have went back on his word, don't get me wrong that is wrong, but suing them isn't any better and 2 wrongs does not a right make! and yes what about Seniority his dad Deserves better. That said, no one is perfect, but since they are in the public eye they should consider being better examples. and I am not holding a grudge but geesh! also his dad deserves credit because not only is he his father and got him started out he raised the boy! he owes all he knows to God and his parents and if they want to come back and use the name they should go ahead and actually say it would be better if we legally shared the name for both groups

Michelle

Posted: March 12, 2008 2:29 AM

Yes I believe that the younger generation of the two should be More grateful, it sounds like his dad hit hard times and needs his band back but either his son or the band minus the son is being greedy and my parents have told me that christians should not sue other people let alone family. I mean it sounds like they are highly ungrateful because they won't let the oringnal imperials use the name that they gave to them as a gift and his son and the others Should want to return the favor I mean why is it such a big deal that his father use the name "the classic imperials" because thats what they were His son and his band should have made an announcement that they will be sharing the name, I mean after all they do share last names and what ever happened to honor thy father and thy mother? or respect your elders I guess that is gone with the wind with the younger generation of imperials Even if they fall on hard times, you don't sue your family thats all their is to it forgive

Dear Interesting

Posted: March 10, 2008 11:58 AM

Dear Interesting Posted: March 07, 2008 7:45 PM I second that devotion! Let them work it out. What in the hocky puck goes on here with these comments? Sheesh! We "Christians" seem to give new meaning to the term "poop scoop"! The good character which won these men thier ministries will rise to the top and be revealed. Shouldn't we know that? How many times have every last one of us blown it? How many times did God forgive us? For crying out loud, judge not. Restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest though also be tempted... enough said. If ya cant say something good, glue thy lips shut and rubber band thy fingers that thou mayest not type! Be warmed, be filled, and be gone! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interesting Posted: March 07, 2008 6:57 PM Why is it that so many that have posted regarding this article are so inclined to "cherry-pick" the sin they take issue with. Many seem to

Eric	Posted: March 07, 2008 11:03 PM

I think that the younger Imperials need to give their heads a shake. After all, what are they in the gospel music business for, God or money. Obviously they are more interested in the money. The younger 'Imperials' are going against scripture when they seek to take Armond Morales to court. The Bible says specifically that we should not take a fellow Christian brother to court. I would say to the younger Imperials, "put your cocky pride aside and sit down as Christians and peacefully work this out." Trying to settle this in court just brings shame to Christ.

Dear Interesting

Posted: March 07, 2008 7:45 PM

I second that devotion! Let them work it out. What in the hocky puck goes on here with these comments? Sheesh! We "Christians" seem to give new meaning to the term "poop scoop"! The good character which won these men thier ministries will rise to the top and be revealed. Shouldn't we know that? How many times have every last one of us blown it? How many times did God forgive us? For crying out loud, judge not. Restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest though also be tempted... enough said. If ya cant say something good, glue thy lips shut and rubber band thy fingers that thou mayest not type! Be warmed, be filled, and be gone! Yay yus, somebody smack me in my forehead, Im going down! Glory.

Interesting

Posted: March 07, 2008 6:57 PM

Why is it that so many that have posted regarding this article are so inclined to "cherry-pick" the sin they take issue with. Many seem to be soooo interested in scripture that talks about "suing a brother" but completely unconcerned with the Lord's instructions to us with regards to "lying, breaking our word, and 'fathers provoking their children to wrath'". Seems pretty revealing as to who is making the post. Why don't we all stay out of this dispute and let the two parties work it out. CT was irresponsible for its reporting...even as poorly and slanted as the reporting on this subject has been. Why don't those of us not personally involved keep our opinions to ourselves and let this be the last post.

Shanon

Posted: March 07, 2008 11:18 AM


It's amazing how this can all come back around to money. Armond sold the name so the youger guys could make money, but then he used it again to make money, now this whole legal battle is over who can use the name to make money! If God has called you to ministry, he will use you no matter what your name is. You are right, Keith. It is no wonder why the world is laughing...

Mark L

Posted: March 06, 2008 5:02 PM

Somebody has been having some fun here. First ,look at the reply from Russ T. Now lets count the references to Imperials songs: - Stand by the Power - Higher Power - The Power of God - Old Man's Rubble - Finish What You Started - All My Life - Pieces - New Creation - He Ddn't Lift us up to Let us Down Now, lets move on to Paul S. Even the first line of his post was pretty good - "I follow Russ T on this" - get it? His references: - Somebody New - My Mind Forgets a Million Things - How Can We Live - All for the Asking - Jericho - Find the Deeper Meaning - Closer than Ever - Sing for Joy - Today - Taking the Time - Miracles Bravo! I wish I was more like you.

Steve B.

Posted: March 06, 2008 11:18 AM

I am a imperials fan going back a long long way. I have loved their music most of my life. To see this young group call themselves imperials is disturbing. Even IF Morales made a mistake in his first handing it over to them, I think these young guys might want to show some level of respect and appreciation. Now Jake Hess did form the group... but it has been Armond Morlaes that has kept it going all these years. He brough in some of hte greatest gospel singers EVER into our lives.. Russ, Paul, David, Jim... Hey MOSH..Stand on your own two feet. Armond not only kept the group going and brought in great singers, he was there at the very beginning of CCM music. All the current CCM groups owe the former imperials a bunch of gratitude for sure. But it seems the very group that carrys the name doesn't. Shameful. The justice I guess is that the CLASSIC IMPERIALS new music is better than what MOSH is putting out. Maybe that's what causing the MOSH group to be so bitter.

Bart Wang

Posted: March 06, 2008 8:06 AM

Who cares? Aren't we implored to not bring lawsuits against each other as Christ-followers? Shannon Smith obviously can't see the better option - shut down the group. Pick a different name. You're obviously trying to trick people into seeing you. It's like Mike Love touring as 'The Beach Boys' when it's only him and Bruce Johnston. You think and hope you're seeing Brian Wilson and Al Jardine, but you're not. So lame...

David

Posted: March 05, 2008 5:55 PM

What an example they are to the world at large. I think personally, the young ones need a boot in the backside. Seems I remember something about Christians not suing other Christians, somewhere along the way growing up in church. Someone made the analysis about playing on a championship team, Smith I believe. THE difference Mr. Smith between you and say a Terrell Owens or Tony Romo, is that even though they play for a franchise with a history of being "world champions" and winning the Super Bowl, which is the pinnacle in professional football, they make no personal claims to having been part of the teams who actually sacrificed the blood, sweat and tears to earn the right to wear those particular Super Bowl rings. Your claims are fraudulent! Even if the "New Imperials" win their suits, they will no more be "THE Imperials" than Allah is Jehovah. Jason is just as guilty of this fiasco in behavior as the rest of the group suing. What happened to "Honor thy father and thy mother"? So sad.

Steve

Posted: March 05, 2008 5:03 PM


This is soooo wrong,this younger group should be ashamed of what they are doing. A christian band should not be lying about awards they didn't get . You guys will have to answer to God for this, you know that dont you. I pray that you come to your senses and ask God for forgiveness and make it right...

Dusty H.

Posted: March 05, 2008 3:57 PM


Simple situation of ego and seller's remorse. The currect group of The Imperials are trying to protect a Legacy and Ministry. They are highly talented young gentlemen and deserve the suport of ALL former members of The Imperials--just like the former members, I am sure got and desrved when they were there.

Maggie

Posted: March 05, 2008 3:19 PM

Folks....many may not agree with how any of this has been handled but bottom line after reviewing the legal documents made available at the Imperials website it is apparent that Mr. Morales did in fact sell the name of the group and everything associated with it to the younger guys. HE did it....the younger guys have not done ANYTHING wrong except defend their right to what is legally theirs. And by the way, Mr. Morales is the ONLY Imperial that has been with the group from the beginning. All other group members have been "come and go" singers. So here again, the ONLY one that could have sold the group, DID! It is that simple. It's unfortunate that Mr. Morales now wants it back and is using these underhanded, back-alley tactics like having his henchmen post on this site and defaming the character of the younger guys when this is a problem of Mr. Morales own making! The younger guys are being libeled on this website which is exactly what I suspect Mr. Morales has ordered.

Hunter

Posted: March 05, 2008 2:59 PM

Thats wrong... I mean seriously!! Why didn't they just start thier own group??? Or at least be like Wianas Phase II and to it on their own instead of riding on someone elses shirt tail?? I agree with Lindsay, how can God bless false witness and stealing?? With this kind of legal action it seem very callous and I am very my impressed with Mr. A. Morales he did a noble and Godly thing by dropping the lawsuit. As Christians you would think we would give each other the cloak, too. Instead of shaming our witness!

Keith

Posted: March 05, 2008 12:02 PM


It's no wonder the world is laughing at the church......

rtz	Posted: March 05, 2008 11:22 AM


This is just sad. Sad that a father son can not come to terms with this. Seems to me that both groups could co-exist or as another staed maybe the "young" ones need to make it themselves, not on coat tails of the "classics".

Randy

Posted: March 05, 2008 9:40 AM


There is as simple solution to all of this. Don't buy any music from the Imperials. This behavior has made them unworthy of the attention of the Christian community. No matter how good their music might be, they should simply be ignored as if they did not exist.

Randy

Posted: March 05, 2008 9:39 AM


There is as simple solution to all of this. Don't buy any music from the Imperials. This behavior has made them unworthy of the attention of the Christian community. No matter how good their music might be, they should simply be ignored as if they did not exist.

Nicolé

Posted: March 05, 2008 8:44 AM

I saw an interview of the 'young' Imperials, and was surprised to see that it was a group of entirely different individuals from the group I was listening to in the '80s. I felt somewhat cheated, in fact. Reading about this ugly legal situation between two 'christian' groups and within one family, underscores my own growing cynicism - which I AM fighting - about the Christian music industry. As a professional singer and up-and-coming artist myself, who works in both the 'christian' and 'secular' arenas, there have been many situations in which I have seen little or no difference in the behaviour and attitudes of the Christians versus the non-Christians. This situation is very sad. It did not have to get to the legal stage.

Jason - Christian Music Fan

Posted: March 05, 2008 12:01 AM


I couldn't have said it any better than Paul and Diane.

Edrog

Posted: March 04, 2008 11:41 PM

The young group clearly want to "make it" on false premises. They need to succeed on their own merits and untimmatly that is what will happen. If my suspicion is correct, Russ T. has an intimate interest and is right on with his comments. I have known of Armand since his early days in So. Cal. and am so sad to see this happening when he should be able to enjoy his ministry at this time in his life.

Paul S

Posted: March 04, 2008 7:47 PM

I follow Russ T on this. I once was somebody new in a group and it was tough. But that was a long time ago and my mind forgets a million things. That being said, how can we live with this turmoil? The young version of the Imperials had it all for the asking, but the walls seem to be tumbling down like Jericho. I hope all parties find the deeper meaning of this experience, become closer than ever to each other, and that once again they sing for joy. Today, we all need to slow down, making sure we are taking the time to experience the miracles provided to us.

Gloria Richards

Posted: March 04, 2008 6:34 PM

I, for one, would not pay one cent to see any singer -- individually or in a group -- in the MOSH "Imperials." As I see it, they were not inducted into the hall of fame, they have not won anything other than an award for Brats of the Year. I sincerely hope people stay as far away from this group and their CD as possible. In the punk world there is a "mosh pit." Unfortunately, I think this MOSH group is also a pit.

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