Cabaret singer wins libel claim against crime writer

13 April 2012

It's every author's nightmare. You create a thoroughly bad character in your latest novel, only to find someone in real life with the same name.

That's what happened to Jake Arnott and his book Johnny Come Home, set in the often-seedy world of London pop music in the early 1970s.

In among the rent boys and drug addicts is a music manager called Tony Rocco, a former singer who had a hit in the 1960s and is portrayed as a pervert who preys on teenage boys.

The book's publication in April came as a bombshell to the real Tony Rocco, a singer who had a hit single in the 1960s, was part of the London music scene in the early 1970s and is still performing.

The main characters met in court, where Mr Arnott and publishers Hodder & Stoughton agreed to apologise and pay 'substantial' libel damages. They will change the character's name in all future reprints.

Mr Rocco's solicitor Felicity Robinson told the High Court in London he came to prominence in 1962, when he was signed to EMI's Parlophone label.

His hit, Stalemate, was recorded with the John Barry Orchestra at the famous Abbey Road Studios.

For the past 40 years he has made numerous records and TV appearances and been billed alongside many of the most popular singers of the day, she told Mr Justice Eady. He still performs on the London cabaret and club scene and has a loyal fan base.

Miss Robinson said the novel's story was played out against the backdrop of real events, such as the Angry Brigade trial at the Old Bailey, and incorporated portrayals of well-known characters who actually lived and enjoyed a 'degree of celebrity' during the era.

The book's Tony Rocco, she said, was depicted as a sordid and predatory pederast who lusted after teenaged boys and was prepared to solicit one for the sexual gratification of central character Johnny Chrome, an 'up and coming glam-rock star'.

It was the real Mr Rocco's case that readers would have understood the character to refer to him because of the distinctive name and the fact that he was around the London music scene in the 1960s and 1970s.

Miss Robinson said the character bore no resemblance whatsoever to the life actually lived by Mr Rocco, then or at any other time. He had never been party to the kind of activities ascribed to the character in the book.

Solicitor Christine Pearson, for Hodder & Stoughton, said it was never intended to depict Mr Rocco. She offered their 'sincerest apologies for the damage, distress and embarrassment' which the publication of the novel has caused him.'

A relieved Tony Rocco said after the settlement, details of which were not disclosed: 'I am extremely pleased that the record has been set straight and that Mr Arnott and his publisher have accepted, without hesitation, that they were wrong.

'The matter was dealt with fairly and promptly and as a result I feel that I can now perform my music before audiences without embarrassment.'

Like all good plots, there is a twist in the tail - the name Tony Rocco was made up by the singer, too. He was born Frederick Gladstone Were.

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