A rather strange report has appeared in today's UK Daily Express newspaper. They report that vocalist Clare Torry is taking Pink Floyd and its record company EMI, to court, suing them for damages and lost earnings.

Torry provided the improvised vocal on The Great Gig In The Sky, and was paid the standard fee of £30 for her work on January 23rd 1973. However, some thirty-one years later she is now claiming that she composed the song, and has asked the High Court for monies she believes are due to her, a half-share of copyright ownership and a 50 per cent share, possibly worth millions, of past and future income.

Torry says they (the band and EMI) have breached her copyright and is asking for damages and for "all illicit copies of the song to be destroyed". This could result in the album being withdrawn from sale temporarily.

EMI declined to comment on the matter. If the story is correct, it is rather strange that she has waited until now to pursue the matter. The album has, since release, been a high seller, and one of the most well-known releases of all time. She has also previously been on very good terms with the band, including an appearance at both nights of Roger Waters' 1987 Wembley shows as part of his encore.