A couple of days ago, I posted a DVD I had come across. It was
Van Halen - Scorin’ At the Forum (1984). This was an audience-taped video of the full show in Montreal on the 1984 tour. The quality was very high all the way around. When I saw this concert, I almost wept with joy. To actually be able to see Van Halen in 1984… unbelievable.
On this DVD was a certain “special feature”. A slideshow of VH pictures with the audio of a
Rockline interview with Van Halen. Mr. Bob Coburn, the host and producer of
Rockline, must have come along this humble site and saw this posting. He was none to pleased to see his work being reproduced into this Van Halen DVD package without permission or compensation. I personally think he may have overreacted a little bit and many of you did too. But we really need to see this from his perspective.
This is this guy’s life and career. It is his love and how he makes a living in this world. Not only that, he and the people who make his show, pour money and time and effort into making these capsules of rock history for us to enjoy (and pay for?). When he saw his work used in someone else’s product, he was obviously upset. I think the overreaction part comes from seeing this “theft” of his property all over the internet and beyond yet again for “who knows” how many times. I personally would be upset too. I would imagine he gets blown off on a regular basis. He asked (demanded) that the posting be removed. Not being afraid of any legal ramifications personally, I removed the show out of respect for Mr. Coburn and his wishes.
Now the discussion can begin. This is fantastic and one the reasons the Internet can be great. Bootlegging is not my profession and I make zero money doing it. It is nothing more than a hobby and a 35 year love affair with rock. Most serious rock fans feel the same way. It is about preserving the history of rock. This can’t be done for money, at least, not really. It is like the Wikipedia of live shows. Some bands have been releasing offical soundboards of their shows. The Black Crowes for one. Within a few days after the show, they have flac files available for purchase on a web site. Guess what? I went and purchased the show I saw plus a couple of others. I believe Kiss is doing this for the Alive 35 tour also. I will be buying that after the show in November also. One other note: not everybody is out there stealing official music. I personally own over 4,000 titles on CD and LP and just received yet another shipment from Amazon yesterday.
MP3s have devalued the rock industry as a whole over the years but I firmly believe that the rock industry has devalued it’s own product over the years also. Man, I could write a book about this stuff but I am not going to here because nobody would read it.
I would love to do what Mr. Coburn does but guess what, I don’t have the talent or the drive to make it happen. Neither do most of you which is why he is the host of
Rockline and you’re not.
Tune into
Rockline if your town’s radio station carries it. Call them and request it if they don’t. Check out the
Rockline website because it is pretty cool and they stream the last four current shows commercial free. I guess you can buy
Rockline shows also, but it doesn’t seem to be working. After all of this happened the other day, I personally went on there to see if I could buy any VH or DLR shows.
Mr. Coburn has quite clearly made his opinion known. I have made “some” of my opinion known. Let’s hear from you guys. Please be respectful. There is just no reason whatsoever not to. And as always, support your favorite artists buy going to the shows and purchasing their official work (and this includes
Rockline). And remember this: Mr. Coburn loves rock just as much as you do friends.
P.S. this is not a big ass kissing to Mr. Coburn or Rockline, I just respect his work and the fact he is here in person defending it. Your comments are welcome...Check out the comments here for the rest of the story!
