Guest Book

CARSON CITY, Nev. - Nevada on Thursday became one of at least a dozen states to enact laws against fake groups promoting themselves as famed musicians. The new law requires performing groups to have at least one member of the recording group that they claim a connection to, or label the production a "tribute" or "salute." Otherwise, claiming a connection would be considered a deceptive trade practice. "Nevada is the entertainment capital of the world, so this was one of our major goals," said Sonny Turner of the Platters after he watched Gov. Jim Gibbons sign the bill. Turner, Porter, Jon "Bowzer" Bauman of Sha Na Na and Mary Wilson of the Supremes had urged Nevada lawmakers to pass the bill, repeating arguments that they and others, including former members of the Coasters, had made around the country. At least five groups around the world are touring, claiming false connections to the Supremes, Wilson said. She sued them all but lost, spending "a couple million dollars" in the process, she told lawmakers. Maxine Porter, longtime manager for Bill Pinkney, the last surviving original member of The Drifters, was with Turner at the bill-signing. She said that their goal is to get such laws on the books in nearly 20 states by the end of the year. Said Porter, who lives in Las Vegas: "In a town like this, where you have a constant flow of tourists, this is a place where people expect to have authenticity. You don't need to see the Drifters advertised on three different marquees." Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Illinois are among the states with similar legislation.