State Sen. Robert D. "Bob" Robbins has a treat for the singing stars gathered in Sharon for today's induction ceremony at the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and Museum.

Robbins is introducing legislation aimed at giving music fans notice of whether the group they have bought concert tickets for has any original members in it.

The Truth in Rock legislation has been given a number, Senate Bill 1523, but has not been officially introduced into the Senate, said Nate Silcox, Robbins' legislative assistant.

The bill, which has seven co-sponsors, could be introduced this week or next, he said.

The bill proposes amending the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, and would make it illegal to hold a "theatrical exhibition, public show, public amusement or exhibition" when an admission price is charged without listing on the ticket the price or "in the case of a musical group, whether or not the group performing is composed of the original members."

Robbins, who has attended many vocal hall functions, noted in a statement that there are many groups calling themselves the Supremes, the Platters, the Temptations and the Drifters, but contain no original members.

"This is deceptive to music lovers purchasing tickets and the original performers whose music was such a wonderful part of our lives," said Robbins, Salem Township, R-50th District.

In some cases, these so-called "knock-off" groups have the legal right to use the name, but others do not. The artists say the knock-offs rob them of bookings and hurt the groups' musical legacies.

In a 1999 visit to the vocal hall, Herd Reed of the Platters said he has been fighting a legal battle against knock-offs since 1969, and a court victory rarely means an end to the fight.

At the same time, Mary Wilson of the Supremes said she was booted off a Las Vegas gig when she refused to perform on the same bill with a group calling itself the Marvelettes with no original members.

Robbins said Ms. Wilson wrote to him about the problem. She is co-founder and vice president of Friends Against Music Exploitation of Artists, a nonprofit organization that assists recording artists battling the loss or misuse of their names.

FAME Executive Director Pat Benti said passing the Truth in Rock legislation would be "great for rock."

"This would certainly be a step in the right direction," he said from Dulles Airport in Washington, where he was waiting for a flight to Pittsburgh on his way to the induction ceremony.

Benti added he would like to see a clause in the bill requiring a statement in advertisements similar to what Robbins wants to place on tickets.

Silcox said Robbins would be open to changes in his proposal.

"This legislation is to get the ball rolling," Silcox said. "It's not the final product."

Benti added that a clause on tickets and advertisements would not infringe on the rights of groups that have the legal right to use a group's name.

FAME, based in Revere, Mass., has generally pushed for federal legislation, but Benti said he was able to get a bill introduced in Massachusetts.

"I was opposed by the film industry mainly because of the wording," Benti said. "I've got to go back and simplify that."

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Joe Pinchot at jpinchot@sharonherald.com