Billy Joel drummer files NY lawsuit over royalties

A former drummer for Billy Joel claims the Grammy Award-winning singer of hits including "Uptown Girl" and "Movin' Out" has stiffed him out of royalties for years. Liberty DeVitto has filed a lawsuit in Manhattan's state Supreme Court demanding Joel pay him overdue royalties.

Updated on: May 25, 2009, 11:02:31 IST

AP | By HT Correspondent, New York

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A former drummer for Billy Joel claims the Grammy Award-winning singer of hits including "Uptown Girl" and "Movin' Out" has stiffed him out of royalties for years. Liberty DeVitto has filed a lawsuit in Manhattan's state Supreme Court demanding Joel pay him overdue royalties. The 58-year-old says he was Joel's drummer from 1975 to 2005 and helped the piano man craft some of his biggest albums.

DeVitto's lawyer told the New York Post he doesn't know how much his client is owed. He says Joel's sales are subject to an audit. DeVitto says he's working as a studio musician and teaching to support his family, including three children.

Joel has sold more than 100 million records worldwide. His spokeswoman hasn't returned a telephone message seeking comment.

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