I was told to stop working on a calander to be sold to the fanbase using the pictures that the fans provided and we were to vote on. (The money was for the Tribute we were planning in Memphis, 2009. (which the Rock Hall after being contacted by me, took the idea and came up with the this new Living Master's award). I literally have emails of correspondence where I told them they should quit having these Tributes for dead entertainers, because that person should be there to enjoy, not dead, ok?
The lawyers that are in control of Jerry, they own his rights, likeness, etc. That was it. When I responded back, no answer. And no calander, no Tribute in Memphis, nothing. They took everything we had planned, threw it together or outright copied it. I slept well at night, with knowing the simple fact that at least SOMETHING was being addressed.
The Cleveland after party was just like everything else the Rock Hall took from us. Two weeks prior they decided to throw a party and literally planned and called it the same thing. Not only that, they set it up exactly the same way, and made it mandatory for all the entertainers to be there. They paid them, and to be quite honest, it wasn't anybody's fault from our group, from Jerry's camp. It was blatantly the Rock Hall and they call themselves preservers of the music, blah blah blah. I see it a whole different way. We worked our asses off, went through the whole system, and at the last minute they took all of our efforts and AGAIN ignored anybody who didn't donate thousands to them. I only ask one question. Where do the fans fit into the whole picture, anyway? I mean, the public is the one that needs to be supporting these entertainers, right? Not in their eyes. I will never grace my foot across their threshold, without a pure public apology to the fans of Jerry Lee Lewis for their behavior and the way they mistreated the whole lot of us. I personally could have donated thousands, had better seats and pushed for private invitations, with little or regard for the fanbase. Not my cup of tea, I AM A FAN, OK? Not a stalker, not anything of the sort. However, if they continue to present this award to Living Masters, they better be prepared for the acitve living fanbases to be a part of the celebration. They were the ones who supported the chosen entertainers over the damn years. If they hadn't, odds are the chosen entertainer wouldn't be there, anyway!
I know I sound like a bitch here. I am not, (well, I guess if the moment calls for it, ok?)
But, we were the first for this particular event. I would not be a decent person if I just let them keep treating future fanbases and their events in this manner. Without making them know how badly they behaved and treated those who are loyal. A word that somewhere has lost it's importance and meaning with the Rock Hall people at least.
Love,
Marla
