Former Live Members to Ed Kowalczyk: Stop Using Live’s Name

Rolling Stone Music

by Kory Grow

February 20, 2026

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Former members of Live, including guitarist Chad Taylor and drummer Chad Gracey, have taken legal action against singer-guitarist Ed Kowalczyk, demanding he stop using the band’s name in business operations. In a cease-and-desist letter shared online, they revoked Kowalczyk’s rights to use the LIVE brand as of February 16, 2026, citing trademark ownership by Action Front Unlimited (AFU), Inc. The letter explicitly forbids Kowalczyk from using the band’s name for touring, merchandising, recording, or any commercial activities. While Taylor and Gracey have avoided public disputes, they are now seeking legal enforcement to reclaim control over Live’s brand. This move comes after years of ongoing tensions between Kowalczyk and other members of Live. The band, which gained fame in the 1990s with hits like “Selling the Drama” and “Lightning Crashes,” disbanded in 2009 but remained embroiled in legal battles over rights and licensing. In 2012, Taylor, Gracey, and bassist Patrick Dahlheimer sued Kowalczyk for trademark infringement after he continued to use the band’s name following a breach-of

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Originally published on Rolling Stone Music on 2/20/2026