Re: record shows

[WFang01@aol.com]

Bob (Pfka RWnomad), re:

>   I'm neither the Sheriff of Nottingham nor
>Richard the <Fang>-Hearted, but the situation 
>strikes me as being somewhere between "corporate 
>greed" and simply "silly."

Without pontificating (too much), I'll say this about that... 1) the latest
"crackdown" is a result of Clinton's trade treatys with the Europeans... 2)
The "right" to enforce the laws comes as a direct result of the "rights" that
are negotiated by the artist and the record company. ie Who owns what and who
is entitled to how much...

In terms of "greed", it's too simplistic to say, "gee the artist only gets
15% and the record company gets..." Let's go back to the good ol' American
way... EVERYONE is entitled to a profit. Less than that is socialism. More
than less than that is communism. Both parties (artist & record company)
negoitiate for what's best for each party and get what they can from each
other. Should the artist get more? Perhaps? But is the artist willing to
"become a similar corporation" that will manufacture, distribute, market and
manage the product once the master tapes are done? Do you have any idea what
these things cost? And, if there wasn't a profit to be made on the same, why
would a record company be in business? 

As for the "crackdown" of bootlegs. I probably like it less than most of you,
since I probably spend more money on Who records than anyone else on the
list. (this week $235). However, while I maintain the argument that bootlegs
help record sales (as they create a stronger interest in the artist),  and I
wish that both record companies and artists would recognize this to the point
where they could "get a piece of the action", I do believe that they have the
right to "control" their product per the argeement that they signed. We
really can't say, "The public has the right..." since we didn't create,
perform or spend money manufacturing/marketing ourselves. 

If... the record companies (and artists) were smart (they're not), they would
recognize the fact that "bootlegs" are a way of life and instead of spending
money enforcing laws, they should take the philosophy, "if you can't beat
'em, join them." Just think what would happen if a company like MCA put out
their OWN Who "bootleg" series. For $25/30, you get a "limited" release in
the convenience of your own record store. Both artist and record company can
profit and everyone gets a fair chance to buy it...

-wf