DENVER—Lawmakers are working on a bill to pull the plug on music impostors at live performances, saying ticket-buyers should be getting the real “ding-a-dong-ding.”
John “Bowzer” Bauman, formerly of the rock ‘n’ roll band Sha Na Na, said Monday that Colorado is a hotbed for fake bands, depriving real performers like him of their livelihoods and reputations.
“This is a sophisticated form of identity theft that dupes consumers,” he told lawmakers.
Rep. Jim Riesberg, D-Greeley, wants to require an authentic member of the original recording group to appear in any live concert using the group’s name. Under Riesberg’s bill, anything else would have to be billed as a salute or tribute.
“Many fans plunk down their hard-earned entertainment dollars to see their favorite bands—groups like the Platters, the Coasters and the Drifters—only to discover they are supporting an impostor group,” he said.
The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee approved a measure (House Bill 1196) that would allow a $15,000 fine for each violation. It now goes to the full House for debate.
A separate proposal approved Monday by the Senate Judiciary Committee would make selling bootleg recordings a felony if it involves more than 100 recordings or if it’s a repeat violation.
The bill (Senate Bill 104) requires authorities to confiscate bootleg recordings and the equipment used to manufacture them.
That measure now goes to the Senate Finance Committee.
