Joan Jett + THE BLACK HEARTS bass player SAMI TAKAMAKI has filed an $85 million (GBP47.2 million) lawsuit against New York's ROSELAND BALLROOM, claiming his hands and career were hurt when bouncers pounced on him during a gig there.

Takamaki, 30, claims he and his girlfriend were watching an MTV-sponsored Iggy Pop concert at the venue when IAN MACKEE attacked them.

When bouncers arrived on the scene they started beating Takamaki, thinking he was the culprit. The bouncers finally stopped when the onlookers told them that they had the wrong guy.

Takamaki claims he "suffered permanent nerve damage and his career as a professional rock and roll musician for Joan Jett and the Black Hearts has been interrupted since August 27th, 2003, and may be permanently affected".

MTV bosses and others are also named in the suit.

24/05/2004 09:17