The legacy of B.B. King, the undisputed "King of the Blues," is now the subject of a heated legal battle within his own family, a dispute that threatens to diminish his substantial estate. At the heart of the matter lies a complex disagreement over the rights to exploit King's name, image, likeness, and intellectual property – elements that constitute a significant portion of his enduring legacy.
The core of this conflict revolves around the family's ambition to establish a restaurant bearing the B.B. King name. This aspiration, however, has collided with existing commercial interests, triggering a protracted legal clash that could have substantial financial ramifications for all parties involved. The family's vision for a culinary establishment honoring King's memory is now entangled in a web of legal complexities, raising questions about control over his brand and the future of his legacy.
The legal proceedings are scheduled to culminate in arbitration in Nevada in 2026. This arbitration will serve as a critical juncture in determining the future direction of B.B. King's estate and the rights associated with his name and likeness. The outcome of the arbitration could set precedents for the management of deceased artists' legacies and the extent to which their families can control their commercial exploitation.
Adding fuel to the fire, allegations have surfaced suggesting that the King family has already suffered significant financial losses due to unpaid income and royalties. Attorney Waukeen McCoy, although not directly involved in the case, has voiced concerns regarding what he perceives as "greed" on the part of a firm contesting the family's right to open a restaurant under King's name.
McCoy, citing court filings, claims that the actions of Tennco Holdings, a company based in Tennessee, could have allegedly cost the King family millions of dollars in unpaid income, royalties, and brand exploitation. This accusation highlights the potential for external entities to capitalize on an artist's legacy, sometimes at the expense of their own family.
Throughout his illustrious career, B.B. King amassed considerable wealth, earning over $100 million. Upon his death in Las Vegas in 2015, at the age of 89, his estimated net worth exceeded $10 million. This substantial estate is now the subject of intense scrutiny, as various parties vie for control and influence over its assets and future earnings.
Clark County District Court in Nevada has been tasked with resolving the case, following allegations of financial "misconduct" and exploitation linked to the blues icon's name and legacy. The court's decision will have far-reaching implications for the management of celebrity estates and the protection of artists' intellectual property rights.
Waukeen McCoy, a prominent civil rights and entertainment attorney based in San Francisco, California, felt compelled to speak out after encountering the active B.B. King Estate legal case while reviewing recent online court filings. Despite not being involved in the dispute, McCoy's interest was piqued due to his deep concern for the protection of artists' legacies.
McCoy, who is also a licensed agent for athletes in the NFL and other sports, emphasized his commitment to supporting the King legacy and other artists. He noted that B.B. King simply wanted to play his guitar and share his music with the world, but corporations often seek to exploit artists' legacies, leaving their families struggling to receive the revenues they are rightfully owed. This scenario, according to McCoy, is a recurring theme in many similar cases.
McCoy expressed his concern about the manipulation of black artists, highlighting a common pattern of exploitation that has also affected other prominent figures like Prince. He argues that these artists are institutions in themselves, and their legacies deserve to be protected from unscrupulous commercial interests.
The court filings that caught McCoy's attention involve a dispute between Tennco Holdings, the plaintiff, and multiple defendants, including Kingsid Ventures in Delaware, Vassal Benford, the chairman of the B.B. King Estate, and several unnamed "Does I through X." This complex web of parties underscores the intricate legal landscape surrounding the management of King's estate.
Tennco Holdings is affiliated with the family of the late Memphis restaurateur Thomas Peters, who founded the Beale Street Blues Company and established the B.B. King's Blues Club on Beale Street in 1991. Peters' efforts to revitalize the rundown Beale Street area brought him together with King, resulting in the creation of an iconic destination that celebrated the blues legend.
Beale Street has since transformed into a vibrant hub for music lovers and tourists, a testament to Peters' vision and King's enduring appeal. Peters owned and operated several restaurants, including B.B. King's Blues Club, Itta Bena, Lafayette's Music Room in Memphis, and Moondance Grill in Germantown, as well as establishments in Orlando, Nashville, and Montgomery, Alabama.
Tennco Holdings LLC and the B.B. King Blues Clubs and restaurants are owned by members of the Peters family, according to public court filings. These filings allege that Tennco is preventing the King family from opening their own restaurant under the star's name anywhere else in the world, potentially limiting their ability to capitalize on his legacy.
The legal battle centers around the use of B.B. King's name, image, likeness, and estate-controlled intellectual property. On one side, Tennco Holdings, a Tennessee limited liability company, asserts its rights based on a licensing agreement.
According to public court documents, the Peters family members are the owners of Tennco Holdings LLC and the B.B. King Blues Clubs and restaurants in Memphis, Tennessee, and Montgomery in Alabama. Their claim rests on a long-standing relationship with King and their investment in establishing the B.B. King's Blues Club brand.
On the other side, the defendants, including Vassal Benford, chairman of the B.B. King Estate in Vegas, and Kingsid Ventures, are fighting to protect the financial rights of King's relatives. Kingsid, a licensing company jointly owned by King and his late manager, was created to manage the licensing agreement with Tennco for the B.B. King Blues Clubs.
Kingsid Ventures, Ltd, the licensor, has been succeeded by BB King Music Company, LLC, which now holds all rights to King's name and likeness, as well as all intellectual property owned by King. According to court filings, Tennco Holdings agreed to pay Kingsid royalties in return for the use of the licensed assets under a Master License Agreement.
The dispute is scheduled to go to arbitration in April 2026, a process that will involve a neutral third party mediating the conflict and attempting to reach a resolution that satisfies all parties involved. The arbitration's outcome will determine the extent to which Tennco can continue to exploit King's legacy and the rights of his family to do the same.
However, McCoy claims that Tennco, which has no familial connection to King or his descendants, is adhering to a lease agreement signed in 1998, which it claims will be valid for almost eight decades, allowing it to profit from the star's name. This lengthy agreement is a key point of contention in the legal battle.
Court documents show that in 2019, Tennco and Beale Street Blues Company Inc. filed two lawsuits in state and federal court in Memphis against the prior trustee and fiduciaries of the B.B. King Estate. These lawsuits were settled in late 2020, and both cases were dismissed after a settlement was signed by Tommy Peters on behalf of Tennco and Beale Street Blues.
The filings state that the licensee agreed to pay Kingsid royalties in exchange for the use of "licensed assets." However, the document states that they "then failed and refused to make any payments (royalties) to the licensor (Kingsid) from February 2020 through the end of the year." The defendants have accused Tennco of "violating the terms of settlement." Last year, Kingsid filed a counterclaim against Tennco for damages in the royalties dispute.