From a review of Glad All Over and Beyond: But the major problem I have is that many of the DC5 hits (besides the cover ones) were written by the band’s friend, Ron Ryan, who after 1963 was never given songwriting credit or royalties. There are witnesses to the fact that Ryan wrote several of their big hits without credit (including “Bits and Pieces,” “Anyway You Want It,” and the pop classic “Because”) though he was reluctant to take Clark to court over it, for fear of its adverse effect on his other friends in the band. In the end he idiotically signed away the credits to his hits in exchange for a “settlement” with Clark that did not include royalties. The fact that Clark was able to get songwriter credit on the DC5 songs that Ryan wrote might be considered by some to be smart business. But as an erstwhile friend—and fellow musician—Clark could at least have given Ryan verbal credit for writing the songs, instead of claiming authorship for himself. (Interestingly, the controlling Clark forbade any of his band members to associate with Ryan after the settlement was made.) The documentary didn’t mention any of this, because, well, the film was produced by Clark. And I haven’t heard even one reviewer cry foul! John OLeary
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 01:06:43 +0000
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