2006年VOA标准英语-Pioneers of Rock Music Fight Imposters

By Doug Levine
Washington
01 April 2006

Many of the early pioneers of rock and roll are long gone.  But for those still around, the fight to ward¹ off imposters continues.  The end may be near for these "great pretenders."

There's nothing new about imposter groups calling themselves originals.  It's been going on for years.  But, the true originals of such legendary² vocal³ groups as The Platters, The Drifters, and The Coasters want it stopped once and for all.

Carl Gardner, the lone⁴ surviving member of The Coasters, figures there are a dozen or more groups around the country posing as The Coasters, without the audience even knowing the group is a fake.  Because of these so-called "knockoffs," Gardner has lost revenue from jobs he didn't get, and he's had to live with the sad fact that people are being deceived, most of the time by inferior performers.  Although Gardner retired⁵ from The Coasters last year, he keeps fighting to get laws passed to ban imposter groups.  He says, until then, audiences will continue being duped.

"When we do a show all those people come to see us, and they come in and applaud like mad, and they don't know one of us," said Mr. Gardner.  "And even in the 'phony rooms' they come in and do that, and they don't know that those guys are phony on stage.  And these guys have the audacity⁶ to say, 'This guy has been with us since 1928,' or whatever.  And not one of them has been there more than several years of cheating."

Good news for Carl Gardner and other original artists, as legislation to stop imposters from performing was recently passed in Pennsylvania.  It is now illegal in that state to perform under another group's name without having at least one member of the original recording⁷ group.

Bob Crosby, President of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, hopes to have the same bill, known as the "Truth In Musical Advertising⁸ Act," signed into law in all 50 states.  In the meantime, Crosby is encouraging fans to do their homework.

Jon 'Bowzer' Bauman, formerly⁹ of oldies band Sha Na Na, makes a point as he speaks at news conference about Truth In Music bill in Hartford, Connecticut, Feb. 23, 2006  
  
"It's important to the Vocal Group Hall of Fame to get this information out to the public, particularly the fans, so that they're aware of the problem and maybe more cautious about 'studying' a show before they go with the anticipation¹⁰ of seeing the legends that they thought they grew up with, and instead finding themselves with an imposter group, which is certainly disheartening," said Mr. Crosby.

Other staunch advocates of the law to ban imposter groups include Joe Terry of Danny and The Juniors; Jon Bauman, formerly of Sha Na Na; and Mary Wilson, formerly of The Supremes.  For more on the "Truth In Musical Advertising Act," go to www.vghf.org. 

1 ward   

n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开

参考例句：

• The hospital has a medical ward and a surgical ward.这家医院有内科病房和外科病房。
• During the evening picnic,I'll carry a torch to ward off the bugs.傍晚野餐时，我要点根火把，抵挡蚊虫。

2 legendary   

adj.传奇（中）的，闻名遐迩的；n.传奇（文学）

参考例句：

• Legendary stories are passed down from parents to children.传奇故事是由父母传给孩子们的。
• Odysseus was a legendary Greek hero.奥狄修斯是传说中的希腊英雄。

3 vocal   

adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目

参考例句：

• The tongue is a vocal organ.舌头是一个发音器官。
• Public opinion at last became vocal.终于舆论哗然。

4 lone   

adj.孤寂的，单独的；唯一的

参考例句：

• A lone sea gull flew across the sky.一只孤独的海鸥在空中飞过。
• She could see a lone figure on the deserted beach.她在空旷的海滩上能看到一个孤独的身影。

5 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

6 audacity   

n.大胆，卤莽，无礼

参考例句：

• He had the audacity to ask for an increase in salary.他竟然厚着脸皮要求增加薪水。
• He had the audacity to pick pockets in broad daylight.他竟敢在光天化日之下掏包。

7 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

8 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

9 formerly   

adv.从前，以前

参考例句：

• We now enjoy these comforts of which formerly we had only heard.我们现在享受到了过去只是听说过的那些舒适条件。
• This boat was formerly used on the rivers of China.这船从前航行在中国内河里。

10 anticipation   

n.预期，预料，期望

参考例句：

• We waited at the station in anticipation of her arrival.我们在车站等着，期待她的到来。
• The animals grew restless as if in anticipation of an earthquake.各种动物都变得焦躁不安，像是感到了地震即将发生。