SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Former Supreme Mary Wilson sang a little and testified a lot about an Illinois bill to keep new bands from using the names of established groups.
Wilson, who flanked Diana Ross in The Supremes, told an Illinois House committee that bands posing as The Supremes, The Drifters and other classic groups regularly perform at fairs, casinos and on cruise ships, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Wednesday.
"They've crossed the line between imitation and flattery to becoming almost like identity theft," Wilson said. She said the imposters are usurping jobs from music veterans by taking less money.
After singing a few bars of "Stop, in the Name of Love" to prove she's the real deal, the committee unanimously recommended House passage of the impostor bill.
The bill exempts tribute bands and authorized or licensed groups but would levy a fine of up to $50,000 on imposter groups.
