Posted by Dan Hall Mary Wilson has been performing legally for years as Mary Wilson of the Supremes. No one has had a problem with that. Her issues came about six years ago when Dianna Ross reformed the Supremes using women who had actually performed with the group in the mid seventies when the group had become little more than a Vegas act. Dianna chose them over Mary and Cindy Birdsong because the were cheaper. Mary felt that the public was being decieved by Diana by adding the name Supremes to a Diana Ross solo tour with two unknown back-up singers as Supremes. The public agreed and the tour bombed so bad that it was called off about half way through. This explanation is probablly way too verbose and not too interesting to most, but I think you can see some potential similarities in the folk field. Incidentally, this forum had focused on the legitamacy of The Kingston Trio in its new Shaneless ( or is it Shameless) configuaration as it will be affected by the Truth In Musical Advertising Act. I have a 1982 K T album titled '25 Years Non-Stop' featuring Shane, Gambill, and Grove. Even though every song on it is a remake of an original K T tune, technically this makes George Grove an original recording artist and the group can tour as The KIngston Trio legally.
on May 22, 2006, 6:41 pm, in reply to "Re: Truth in Musical Advertising Act"
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Mary Wilson's current issue is about three American women currently touring Europe performing as the Supremes. None of these women had ever been in any legitimate configuration of the Supremes. They have no legal right to the name, but the legality of having them cease and desist is a civil matter costing thousands of dollars in attourney's fees, when the damage has already been done. This new law (or Act if you prefer)makes it a law enforcement issue without having to pay lawyers (and who likes dealing with lawyers). You can shut them down on the day of the performance. The promoters then are out the money and they can be a ruthless bunch (right Bob?) not taking kindly to being defrauded. So hopefully, nobody would want to stage an act from a bogus group.
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