Gallagher's ex-manager wins '80s in the Park judgment

MELBOURNE – The former manager of watermelon-smashing comedian Gallagher has won a $49,359 judgment against the founder of the '80s in the Park rock festival.

'80s in the Park debuted in September 2013 at the Wickham Park Pavilion. Warrant, Slaughter, Quiet Riot, Georgia Satellites and Gene Loves Jezebel headlined the lineup, and 12,000 to 13,000 fans attended.

Gallagher served as master of ceremonies. But afterward, concert promoter Richard Hendry did not pay Gallagher's $5,000 appearance fee, saying he failed to fulfill contractual duties and calling his appearance "a train wreck."

Craig Marquardo, Gallagher's then-manager, sued Hendry in November 2013. The lawsuit also sought an unpaid $3,600 fee for Marquardo's other client at the show: Tommy Tutone, the pop band that recorded the 1981 hit "867-5309/Jenny."

Manager of comic Gallagher, Tommy Tutone sues '80s in the Park

Last month, Brevard Circuit Court Judge David Dugan awarded Marquardo $17,200 in damages and $32,159 in attorney's fees.

Hendry is scheduled to give a court deposition April 21.

The three-day rock festival will move to the Melbourne Auditorium in August. Headliners include Lita Ford, Slaughter, L.A. Guns, Asia featuring John Payne, Kip Winger and Kix.

Hendry said the court battle will not impact the upcoming concert. He likened handling concert performers with "corralling cats" and "herding cats."

"That (lawsuit) potentially overshadows bringing in 50, 60 nationally known acts over the past two years, producing a large festival that everyone enjoys," Hendry said.

"You make a talent mistake. And for us, it was a novice mistake — choosing the wrong person and not knowing what was going to happen," he said.

"It was too big and it was too much to deal with, and he just got out of our control," he said.

Mud and rain plagued last September's festival, so this year's headliners will perform indoors. Outside the auditorium, organizers will set up a second stage for smaller acts, vendors and a food court.

Contact Neale at 321-242-3638, rneale@floridatoday.com or follow @RickNeale1 on Twitter.