Leonard “Hub” Hubbard, former bassist for The Roots, is suing the popular Philadelphia-based band for failure to uphold a contract that allegedly named him co-owner of the band and entitled him to continued pay even after he left the outfit in 2007.
Hubbard joined the band in 1992 when they were then known as The Square Roots and remained a key member as they ascended the world of music to gain critical success and notoriety. In 2007, he left the group, who were known for their extensive touring schedule, when he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer.
According to the suit, which names Questlove, Black Thought, and the group’s current manager, Hubbard claims he had a deal in place that called for him to continue being paid as a co-owner of the band. He alleges that he has hasn’t been receiving his fair cut per the agreement and in 2014 he says he got a letter stating that both his pay and health insurance would be discontinued.
Always seen with his signature chew stick while performing, Hub played on the band’s first seven albums through 2006’s Game Theory. In 2009, the group became the regular house band for NBC’s “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” before following Fallon when he took over “The Tonight Show” in 2014.
Thus far representatives for The Roots have yet to issue a statement regarding the lawsuit.
