Letter: Some fans support ‘truth in music’ bill

Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006 | 7:20 a.m.

This letter is to commend Las Vegas Sun reporter Brendan Buhler, in his Dec. 12 article, for bringing to the public's attention the impostor shows currently being presented at the Sahara Hotel. As was so ably reported, none of the groups appearing in that show contains any original members of the Platters, the Coasters or the Drifters, as their billing would seem to indicate.

My wife, Carol, and I represent just two of the many avid fans of pre-Beatles-era doo-wop music residing here in Las Vegas who clamor for shows featuring the "real" performers of our music. Just because we live in a town where you can't throw a rock without hitting an Elvis impersonator doesn't mean we are prepared to settle for fakes and pretenders when we come out to see the pioneers of R&B and old-time rock 'n' roll.

I find the Sahara Hotel's attitude that it merely "rents" the promoter of this show the use of the showroom and has no further responsibility beyond that to be ludicrous and naive. Would the hotel "rent" space in its retail area of its property to someone selling fake Rolex watches or knockoff Louis Vuitton handbags or bootleg DVD movies?

I applaud the efforts of Jon "Bowzer" Bauman and former Supremes founder Mary Wilson in presenting the "truth in music" bill. I wholeheartedly support it and encourage state legislators to pass the bill when it comes before them.

Donald Riggio, Las Vegas