pete the bootlegger?

[David Aron Reaboi <dreaboi@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu>]

the question of an artist selling material to the bootleggers on the sly
is a very good and interesting question. i doubt that it's the case for
the pete 96 show (it was broadcast on the radio), however. a couple of
years ago, when the bootleg cd "revolution" was in full swing (i.e., you
could get a bay city rollers 3cd box set of unreleased demos, complete
with a t-shirt, at your local 7-11), there was a question of this. by
looking at all the crazy stuff that was released-- like home demos and
acetates of raw mixes-- one must ask, "who else could have access to
this?" the best theory i've heard is (using paul mccartney and wings as an
example) that some old band member like denny laine wants some money to be
able to keep off the streets, and sells his tapes. i don't really buy into
the idea that an artist actually does this himself (unless, of course, it
is the bay city rollers). roadies, old band members, close friends, all
get into the action. they've been the traditional suppliers of
"studio"-culled bootleg material. 

whoever does supply us with this great material (like the tommy demos)
diserves some gratitude. not because he or she is probably making some
money on it, but because we can have it to listen to.

dave