On Friday, November 11, 2022 at 12:09:59 PM UTC-5, Band Beyond Youall wrote:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/11/arts/television/gallagher-dead.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
from Wikipedia:
Leo Anthony Gallagher Jr. (July 24, 1946 – November 11, 2022), known mononymously as Gallagher, was an American comedian
who became one of the most recognizable comedic performers of the 1980s for his prop and observational routine that included
the signature act of smashing a watermelon on stage with a sledgehammer. For more than 30 years, he played between 100 and
200 shows a year, destroying tens of thousands of melons with the sledgehammer he called the "Sledge-O-Matic".
In the early 1990s, Gallagher's younger brother Ron asked him for permission to perform shows using Gallagher's trademark
Sledge-O-Matic routine. Leo granted his permission on the condition that Ron, who shared a strong likeness to Leo, and his
manager clarified in promotional materials that it was Ron Gallagher, not Leo Gallagher, who was performing. Ron typically
performed in venues smaller than those in which Leo Gallagher performed. After several years, Ron began promoting his
act as Gallagher Too or Gallagher Two. In some instances, Ron's act was promoted in a way that left unclear the fact that
he was not the original Gallagher. This, and Ron's off-stage troubles, left a stain on Leo's reputation as well.
Leo initially responded by requesting only that his brother not use the Sledge-O-Matic routine. Ron nonetheless continued to tour
as Gallagher Too using the routine. In August 2000, Leo sued his brother for trademark violations and false advertising. The courts
ultimately sided with Leo, and granted an injunction prohibiting Ron from performing any act that impersonated his brother in small
clubs and venues. This injunction also prohibited Ron from intentionally bearing likeness to Leo.
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)