The Big Acts-every concert recorded? where do the tapes go?

[Dr. Winston]

Most of the shows of the big name artists record every concert but most probably will never see the light of day legitimately---wonder what it would be like to sift thru all the tapes of say an artists like The Rolling Stones--where are they housed? Are they well maintained? How well are they catalogued, dated etc? Just curious if anyone has any insight on this. Thanks.

[CM Wolff]

I don't have any insight into your question, but I hope I am still around after Springsteen, Dylan, and Van Morrison all shuffle off of this earth and their labels mine their closets full of tapes. I mean, if you think labels bleed dead artists' output now (ala Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan), just wait for when all these professionally recorded sessions and concerts are freed from their creators' existence and are shown the light of day as official posthumous releases. Not to be too morbid, but....

[Richard Feirstein]

On April 1st there was a posting that Bob Dyan's late manager's wife (Mrs. Grossman) had acquired limited rights to release a multi-CD release of all of those tapes his manager kept in storage. A few suckers fell for that story for a few sec. We can always hope.:rolleyes:

[hoboken lad]

I worked briefly with an act (who shall remain nameless other than to say that he/she/them was/were a successful 90's act) in cataloging its music/video/etc. archive.

What I noticed was that the tapes were kept in the act's rented, climate-controlled storage facility. Most of the audio tapes were DAT's or ADAT's. The DAT's were two-track recordings from the mixing board. The ADAT's were multi-track recordings (I believe the act had three ADAT's synched up to allow 24-track recording). My job was NOT to list the individual songs performed (THANK GOD). Merely to list the date, location, and source material (cassete, video, DAT, etc.). HOWEVER, there were other concert recordings paid for by the record company that resided in the company's vault.

Other acts I worked with either kept the DAT/ADAT recordings to themselves or turned them over to their managers (BIG mistake). In another life, I wound up cataloging the VIDEO tapes that another act recorded at EVERY show in a 150 to 200 date tour. Thankfully, I didn't have to actually WATCH them!

FYI, from my (limited) personal experience, most acts (Grateful Dead excepted) DIDN'T routinely record their shows prior to the 1980's, other than on cassette (maybe). With the mid-80's digital revolution, nearly every reasonably successful act now records every show. Good idea. As Phil Lesh of the Dead once said, "The tapes we recorded in the past are equivalent to a pension plan." JUST HANG ONTO THEM; DON'T GIVE THEM TO ANYBODY ELSE.

[Gary]

Wow, interesting tales (and life!) Hoboken Lad!

There seems to be an influx (locally) of soundboard recordings these days. That's when a cassette tape records the show.... as most of you probably know.

It would be great if some could be officially released - without sonic manipulation, of course. On the other hand, it'll probably be like the recent Pearl Jam live recordings.... ton's of 'em, all sounding slightly different. Ahhh well....

[Richard Feirstein]

Heck, Bob Dylan has released several free CD's as gifts to fans considting of sound board recordings and even so called fan field recordings. They do have a different sonic approach than polished concert recordings. If you go to his web site you will find many examples posted there for your listening enjoyment.