As everyone who has been frequenting this site regularly for years would know, a project compiling film footage of the early ABB (original six members) has been rumored for quite a few years now. There was even an interview posted with Hendrix producer Eddie Kramer where he stated that he was working on it. No one here seems to know anything, and if they do, no one is saying ANYTHING about it.
My best guess is this: This project is caught up in a legal quagmire. My knowledge of legal issues, particularly regarding the music business, is extremely limited. But think of all the complications. From what I've read here, there are three possible sources of early live footage: Fillmore East, Love Valley, and Atlanta Pop Festival. There may be more of course. First off, I am assuming that everyone involved in filming the original segments would want to be paid.....IF they are even still alive! And if they are not alive, then obviously who gets paid gets even more complicated. Then there is the question regarding who owns the rights to all of the music included in the film. And who else would profit from this? I assume it would be the surviving band members, Dickey and Jaimoe, and the estates of the other four original band members. Add to that, what about the owners of all three venues where the events took place? Do they have some kind of financial rights to this project? All this brings up SO many legal issues that are way beyond my comprehension.
All that being said, I happen to think that there would be enough market for this film to warrant a worldwide theatre release, and of course a DVD and Blueray. I think so because among music freaks, even younger ones, ABB is held in SUCH high esteem. Particularly among us baby boomers. Most would have seen it, but if anyone needs a reminder, here is the 33:49 long Fillmore East segment:
I don't know anything about music/entertainment law. I understand business in general a little better. I've said before that with each passing year - there are fewer and fewer people who will even care about seeing this film/footage. This should, in no way be seen as a knock on the Allman Brother's Band. Maybe towards some management types, but not the band itself.
From a business perspective, it could very well be that the folks with the say-so have already compared production and promotion costs with potential return in sales/attendance and determined that this would just not be a money-making venture. Possible.
But, I'd sure love to see it!
@rusty: "From a business perspective, it could very well be that the folks with the say-so have already compared production and promotion costs with potential return in sales/attendance and determined that this would just not be a money-making venture. Possible."
Definitely a possibility.
Us swing era fans underwent a similar predicament when the Bill Savory recordings were rescued. That Sonny Bono law to protect artists' rights was cited as the reason to keep the stuff out of the public domain and unhearable for another 75 years or so. But then all of a sudden Apple and Mosaic had a lot of it for sale; I don't know what kind of an agreement was reached with the artist's estates, some blanket thing or something, though Benny Goodman's tracks got blocked.
One suggestion had been to play participant's saxman Herschel Evans' music before congress and have him declared a national treasure to open the door to release; which proved not necessary. I can't think of anyone else more deserving of being declared a national treasure than Duane Allman and if that's what it takes to clear legalities, even if not, then do it. Surely he is, and his art should be out there.
I was fortunate enough to talk with both Kirk West and Bert Holman about this project. At the time, they had a lot of optimism and as mentioned by robslob, active work was being done on the project. As I recall multiple, multi-party rights agreements had even been worked out. Over the last two years I have tried to contact Kirk West about the project's current status. Sadly, all I got were crickets. This also goes for the proposed Atlantic Pop Festival film. Videos of 3 of the ABB's performances have intermittently appeared on YouTube. Also Kirk has a rough cut of the entire film in his possession that he displayed recently.
