If you have not been to Wolfgang’s Vault – you really should check it out. Wolfgang’s Vault sells vintage concert memorabilia – original editions of concert posters, tickets, all sorts of stuff from the golden age of rock and roll. In addition they also offer free streams of hundred’s of concerts from the archives of Bill Graham Productions. Shows from the 60’s and 70’s at the Fillmore (East and West) Winterland – and various other venues. All these archives were part of the Bill Graham Productions assets when the company was acquired by Clear Channel Entertainment. the name of the site is a tribute to Bill Graham who was born Wolfgang Grajonca in Berlin.
I have listened to a couple shows, Miles Davis at the Fillmore East in 1969, Neil Young and Bob Dylan at a Keyser Stadium benefit show around 1970/71, a bit of a Bruce Cockburn show recorded in Chicago in the early 80’s. The shows are streamed for free and while the quality is decent – these are all soundboard recordings and never overdubbed, remixed, or brushed up for release. Those who go here and stream this stuff are FANS. The most dedicated audience for these acts plus kids who have just heard the name, heard the legend or alway s wondered what it was like back in th eday can get a peek intot the past. And then go out an Buy something else from the Doors or WHo or Zeppelin or Grateful Dead. It’s like exploring a library of treasures. It’s a wonder and a joy.
So of course there had to be a lawsuit.
| Musicians Sue Wolfgangsvault.com |
| Tuesday, Dec 19, 2006 6:00 AM ET |
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MUSICIANS INCLUDING CARLOS SANTANA, MEMBERS of Led Zeppelin and The Doors have filed a lawsuit against the operator of the Web site wolfgangsvault.com, which sells memorabilia like vintage concert posters, and also allegedly streams pirated recordings of live concerts. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California against William Sagan, who acquired the material when he purchased the archives of concert promoter Bill Graham from Clear Channel Entertainment. +++++++++++ There’s a longer article in the LA Times While I am no fan of the explioitation of musicians and feel they probably do have some rights with regard to images, logos and likenesses, let the streaming concerts live, Dudes. In contrast, one of the guys from Big Brother and the Holding Company was quoted in a recent article about the Vault’s streaming of his band’s concerts. "I’m just glad people can hear the music. "
Peace. |
