Springsteen sued over claim GTO owner didn't get fair pay for classic car on album cover

A Toms River man's estate is suing Bruce Springsteen, contending that the man was stiffed out of money when the Boss used his mint 1968 Pontiac GTO for promotions of his album “Only the Strong Survive” and on merchandise without permission.

In an answer to the complaint, Springsteen and the other defendant, Sony Music Entertainment, deny the allegations.

Louise M. Billotti, who represents the estate of his father, Louis A. Billotti, filed the lawsuit in Superior Court in Toms River in April.

The father, who owned Louis Mobile Dry Clean in the township until his retirement, bought the GTO new in 1968, and maintained it until his death from COVID-19 complications in May 2022, according to the suit.

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The elder Billotti received a call in October 2022 from a friend who said someone in Colts Neck was looking for a vintage car for a photoshoot. When he took his GTO to Colts Neck on Oct. 18, 2021, he was surprised when a photographer at the location, Robert DeMartin Jr., told him the address was Springsteen’s residence, the suit says.

He rented the registered historic vehicle twice before the Springsteen photoshoot for film productions and received the industry rate, the suit says

When Springsteen arrived, he posed with Billotti’s GTO and then hung out with him, talking about the GTO and other cars, the suit says.

DeMartin handed the elder Billotti a check for $450 drawn from his and Tiffany DeMartin’s personal account, with the notation “car prop,” according to the suit.

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Someone at the shoot told Billotti that if his GTO was accepted for his upcoming album, “Only the Strong Survive,” he would be sent a contract listing the terms of compensation, the suit says.

According to the credits, photographer Danny Clinch took the album cover and reverse pictures for “Only the Strong Survive.” A green GTO is mostly obscured on the cover, but the same or an identical car is featured prominently on the reverse of the album and in other promotional shots. DeMartin took an insert picture of Springsteen and producers Ron Aniello and Rob Lebret, also known as the Night Shift, with a green GTO that's part of the album's packaging.

Billotti never heard from any of Springsteen’s representatives, the suit says.

The album was released last year and was nominated for a Grammy.

Springsteen’s and Sony’s websites sold merchandise that included images of the GTO, the suit says.

It was also featured on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" when Springsteen appeared as a guest on Nov. 22, 2022, the suit says.

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“The GTO appeared on a multitude of other Springsteen promotional items,” the suit reads. “The GTO at issue was showcased by the defendants, and in effect, became the brand for the music venture, which included an album, tour and merchandise. His GTO was used in this mega-entertainment venture without his permission or reasonable remuneration.”

Messages left for the attorney for Springsteen and Sony, Brian Ansell, were not immediately returned.

Springsteen’s representative, Shore Fire Media, declined comment.

Springsteen’s longtime manager, Jon Landau Management Inc., was originally named as a defendant but was dismissed from the suit.

Ken Serrano covers breaking news, crime and investigations. Reach him at 732-643-4029 or at kserrano@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Springsteen, Toms River man's estate in tussle over GTO album photos