When GLJ founders Jay and Michael Aston split in 1997, both brothers continued to perform and record under the Gene Loves Jezebel moniker. The original members carried on with Jay at the helm, while Michael settled in LA and toured as GLJ with hired guns. Since the band’s hits – “Heartache,” “Desire,” “Jealous,” and biggest selling albums Discover, Kiss of Life, Heavenly Bodies, VII – all featured Jay’s vocals / songwriting, fans have longed to hear the original versions and see the original band members in concert.

Tragically the twins have been in litigation. Michael has recently stopped using the “featuring Michael Aston” suffix, which has added to the confusion. He maintains that Jay withdrawing from the lawsuit to stop him using the name has given him the right to use the name exclusively. (Jay says he withdrew because the suit was so upsetting for their family, particularly their mother). Michael often attempts to stop the original members doing gigs by firing off letters from his lawyer to promoters stating he owns the rights to the name. He has also removed any reference to or pictures of the original members from the history of the band at his Gene Loves Jezebel.com site. Naturally all this has led to intense acrimony and anger among Jay and the other original band members.

Management lawsuits, a record company that went bust, crooked accountants and nervous breakdowns, and battling twins, Gene Loves Jezebel suffered all the obstacles the industry could throw at them. After 20+ years, the band is still making music that has won them legions of fans around the world. The current U.S. dates are sure to remind fans what made this band one of the most interesting success stories of the 80’s.