Motown meets Marxism: Book review from Detroit Metrotimes

[Max Sawicky]

All told, Bolton v. Isley may stand as one of the more ironic tales in music
industry annals. In essence, Bolton, a 46-year-old white singer who has
built his career on works by black artists (he has recorded hit covers of
songs by Percy Sledge, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and Otis Redding, for
example), could soon own the right to profit from the life's work of a black
artist who successfully sued him for stealing his music

***************
CB: Isn't this the story of rocknroll in a nutshell, whatayacall it ? , a
microcosm, an emblematic episode. This "irony" is central to the whole
history.
*******************

Worse in the sense that rather than being robbed piecemeal, the Bros Isley
built up a very valuable asset that is on the verge of being snatched in one
fell swoop. Better in that at least they have been able to live off it for
some
time.  They may be able to hold onto it if they are able to securitize
themselves,
with the help of the same guy who devised the "Bowie Bonds."

Course, it's not clear who deserves the blame for Ron Isley's bankruptcy.
A big part of it is a bill to the IRS (like Willie Nelson).  There's an
ex-wife
in the mix too, among other creditors.  A little more care might have
avoided
a lot of this.  Bolton would have no chance to buy their song rights if
there was
no bankruptcy proceeding.

mbs