The turbulent legacy of LIVE+ continues to evolve, with the latest twist arriving in February 2026 adding a dramatic new chapter to the long-running saga between vocalist Ed Kowalczyk and guitarist Chad Taylor.
In a recent public statement posted on social media (dated around February 19, 2026), Chad Taylor directly addressed the LIVE community to refute earlier claims that he had been “fired” from the band. Taylor asserted that such statements were “simply false” and emphasized that Edward Kowalczyk “has never had the authority to remove me from the band or from the company that owns it.”
Taylor clarified his ongoing role, stating he remains—as he always has—a founding shareholder and director of Action Front Unlimited, Inc. (AFU), the corporation that owns the LIVE name, trademarks, and intellectual property. He further noted that Kowalczyk himself had been removed as a director “for cause” back in 2011, reinstated in 2016, and has now been terminated again from the AFU board.
The most significant development came on February 16, 2026, when AFU formally revoked any rights Kowalczyk (or his company, The Fifth Veda, Inc.) claimed to use the LIVE name and trademarks. A formal notice—sent via email and certified mail—explicitly revoked and terminated those purported rights, including any claimed under prior agreements like the 2013 Binding Short-Form Settlement Agreement or the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding. The letter rejected arguments that those documents granted touring, merchandising, recording, or promotional rights, confirming no such broad license existed and demanding that Kowalczyk cease and desist any unauthorized use.
This revocation effectively strips Kowalczyk of the ability to tour or perform under the LIVE banner moving forward, reversing the dynamic from his 2022 Instagram announcement where he claimed 55% ownership and fired Taylor (along with drummer Chad Gracey and bassist Patrick Dahlheimer).
Taylor concluded his statement by expressing trust in the legal process rather than public litigation, thanking fans for their patience and support, and reaffirming his (and AFU’s) commitment to the “proper restoration and protection of LIVE moving forward.”
This escalation stems from years of fractured relationships, including earlier lawsuits over trademarks (notably in the 2010s when Action Front Unlimited sued Kowalczyk for using variations like “Ed Kowalczyk of Live”), the 2009 split, the 2016 reunion, and the fallout involving controversial figure Bill Hynes. Recent settlements in 2025 had begun to resolve some threads—such as Gracey’s suit against Taylor and a defamation case tied to Hynes—but the core dispute over control of the band’s name and legacy has now reached a critical point.
As of mid-February 2026, Kowalczyk has been touring with a replacement lineup under the LIVE name since 2022, but this revocation puts that in serious jeopardy. Taylor, meanwhile, has focused on other projects, including solo work and appearances, while positioning himself as the guardian of the original band’s intellectual property.
For fans who grew up with Throwing Copper and its era-defining anthems, this feels like yet another heartbreaking chapter in a story that once promised redemption through reunion. Whether courts will ultimately side with Taylor’s control of AFU or if further appeals/complex ownership details emerge remains to be seen. In the interim, the music endures—even if the band behind it may never fully reconcile.
