Van Halen's international hits include Jump

In papers filed in Los Angeles on 10 August, Van Halen allege the Orioles approached the band to play a stadium concert in September this year.

It is alleged the Orioles later backed out of the deal.

Van Halen is seeking damages for lost earnings due to rescheduled events. The Orioles declined to comment.

"In addition to using its resources to plan the concert, Van Halen had to change the dates of other scheduled concerts and forgo other concert opportunities in order to accommodate the Oriole Park concert," the papers claims.

Campaign

Under the terms of the deal, Van Halen allege they were promised $1.5m, plus 80 per cent of ticket and merchandise sales.

The invitation to Van Halen was part of a campaign to bolster revenue for the 12-year-old Camden Yards stadium.

According to the papers, negotiations began in April when the Orioles faxed a proposal to the band's booking agent with an offer of $1m.

The band said they declined, citing conflicting tour dates, but accepted after the Orioles increased the offer.

Communication dwindled, until the deal was officially repudiated in a letter on 26 July.

No explanation was given for the breakdown in negotiations.