No Takers For Classic Who Tapes On eBay

[Brian Cady <cadyb@home.com>]

Available on line at:
http://www.billboard.com/daily/2000/0727_03.asp

No Takers For Classic Who Tapes On eBay 

Producer Shel Talmy has failed to receive any bids for the three-track
masters of 24 songs by the Who he recorded in 1964, which he put up for
sale for a week on the auction Web site eBay. Talmy sought a minimum bid
of $500,000 for the tapes, which include such Who classics as "My
Generation," "The Kids Are Alright," and "I Can't Explain."

The tracks were cut for the U.S. label Decca by Talmy, who was later
embroiled in a court battle with the band over their contract.

Universal Music Group, which controls much of the Who's catalog, doubts
the legality of the auction. Associate director of business and legal
affairs Bill Waddell says, "If somebody was going to buy [the masters],
it would be like an expensive album they could play at their house. They
couldn't exploit them. There's been a long-running issue here as to who
owns these tapes." 

-- Chris Morris, L.A.

        -Brian in Atlanta
         The Who This Month!
         http://members.home.net/cadyb/who.htm