HALL OF FAME SHAME - the artists formerly known as the Little River Band

from Herald Sun Melbourne Australia

POP legends Little River Band will be inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame on October 17.

But those in line for the honour cannot be referred to by the band name that shot them to international success.

ARIA is giving its highest kudos to what it terms the classic line-up of Little River Band.

That comprises Glenn Shorrock, Graeham Goble, Beeb Birtles, Derek Pellicci, David Briggs and George McArdle.

However, for legal reasons, ARIA is forbidden to induct those six musicians as Little River Band.

Stephen Housden, a guitarist who played in LRB in the 1980s, owns the band trademark and still tours under the moniker. Two years ago, the Federal Court backed Housden's bid to ban Birtles, Shorrock and Goble (who perform as BSG) from using the LRB name.

Yesterday, ARIA insiders said that ruling would apply at the Hall of Fame induction. "This is a travesty and an absurd situation," a source said.

"The men being recognised for their work in LRB cannot legally call themselves LRB, or be referred to as LRB."

ARIA must refer to the inductees as a classic line-up.

"ARIA will say these men achieved great things," a source said. "But they are not allowed to be LRB."

Glenn Shorrock, former LRB frontman, said the situation was a debacle. "I don't know how we are going to deal with it on the night," Shorrock frowned, "but as Confucius once said, 'F--- 'em!'

"It's nuts, it's silly, but I refuse to let it take over my life.

"That said, the LRB saga never goes away."

Shorrock said the band's Hall of Fame induction was overdue.

"For the public at large, it's recognition of something we did reasonably quietly.

"We never jumped up on the podium saying, 'Look what we did'.

"But we certainly achieved a lot. LRB was a real milestone in the evolution of Australian music internationally. And I am proud it will be recognised as such."

Shorrock is happy with the classic line-up receiving the honour.

"These are the majority of people who played on the records and went through the grind."

Housden's lawyer has been contacted about the ARIA plan. Housden, who lives in Ireland, is yet to respond.

Sources said Housden would be unwise to block the Hall of Fame honours.

"Nobody in their right mind would go there," a source said. "They would have the entire music industry coming down on them."

Little River Band has sold 30 million records worldwide.

The band cracked the US market in 1976, paving the way for Air Supply, Men at Work and INXS.

Their track Reminiscing is still ranked one of the most played songs on US radio.