NEW INFO: Truth in Music Bill Backed by Sha Na Na Member Passes Legislature

Fog/Mist

Temp: 24.0 F (-4.4 C)

More Weather

Wausau Downtown Airport, WI

Back to HomePage
NEW INFO: Truth in Music Bill Backed by Sha Na Na Member Passes Legislature A bill designed to crack down on musical impostors passes the state Legislature today. Reporter: Associated Press

Font Size:

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A bill designed to crack down on musical impostors passes the state Legislature today.

The proposal is aimed at groups that tour the country purporting to be the original acts - usually from the 1950s and '60s - but with no direct ties to those performers.

Jon "Bowzer" Bauman, formerly of the '50s revival band Sha Na Na, came to Wisconsin earlier to push for the bill.

Nine states have similar laws.

Both the Senate and Assembly passed the plan without debate today and Governor Doyle is expected to sign it.

Under the bill, a band can use an original act's name only if it includes at least one member of the group that released a recording under that name.

Otherwise, the band has to advertise itself as a tribute or salute.

The original name also can be used if the performers own the legal rights to it.