Angela Davis Sues Flying Dutchman Records Over ‘Soul And Soledad’

Angela Davis announced a lawsuit against Flying Dutchman Records today (October 23, 1971).

Angela Davis
Angela Davis

Davis, a legendary political activist, took issue with Flying Dutchman using her name, photographs and voice on an album titled Soul and Soledad.

Flying Dutchman Records was a legendary Jazz label that was owned by music industry executive and producer Bob Thiele.

Other artists who recorded for the label include Oliver Nelson, Lonnie Liston Smith and Gil Scott-Heron

Soul in Soledad was recorded in June of 1970, just two months before the infamous incident in which a judge was kidnapped from the Marin County Courthouse in California, and executed.

Angela Davis was eventually charged with being an accessory in the attempted escape of prisoners from the courthouse, resulting in the deaths of four blacks, including Jonathan Jackson, who was a close friend of Angela Davis.

Angela Davis was acquitted by a jury in 1972.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono released the song “Angela” in support of Davis, while The Rolling Stones’ tune “Sweet Black Angel” was written in honor of her as well.

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