English judge orders Van Morrison to pay actual damages for canceled performance, but doesn't buy doomsday scenario:

A British court has ordered veteran rock star Van Morrison to pay $66,868 in damages to a hotel owner who said the singer had ruined him by canceling a concert.

Gary Marlow had sued the 58-year-old singer and his production company, Exile, for up to $668,680 over cancellation of the concert at the Crown Hotel in Everleigh, Wiltshire, western England, last August.

But Justice Peter Creswell ruled Tuesday that Marlow was only entitled to $66,868, including an $33,434 advance fee paid to Exile.

Marlow's claim included the advance plus lost profits from tickets, alcohol, food and tobacco, and damage to the business' reputation.

"I am not persuaded that there is a link between the cancellation of the concert and any reduction in turnover ...," Justice Creswell said. [Reuters]