So Who Makes Bootlegs?

When I wrote about wanting some rare Poison tunes, I received some comments - and a lot of private emails about bootlegs. This sort of got me thinking about the whole bootleg process. Way back in the day - and especially in the 80s - it seemed like music fans loved to make bootlegs of concerts, create tapes and mail them around to other liked-minded fans. I don't think anyone makes bootlegs much anymore.

Now, I know tapes aren't needed for boots - an MP3 recorder and an Internet connection and anyone can spread anything all over the world. But really, it seems like people just aren't that into concerts period these days. Maybe it's the fear of being caught, so I can't be sure. In all honesty, I've never tried to make a boot of a concert and I doubt I'd be good at it anyway. I just remember looking at websites and seeing bootlegs for like every Aerosmith concert and this just blows my mind. What if today's generation of kids isn't making bootlegs of their favorite bands? It's sort of like losing a piece of history.

Everyone already knows my opinion on the whole illegal downloading thing - I don't do it. But I sort of feel like if I want to take my MP3 recorder into a concert venue and capture a song or three, that should be okay. Notice I didn't even say anything about passing the recording around - I just think that someone out there should be keeping the bootleg hobby alive.

Maybe I'm crazy (ok, I know I'm crazy!) and people are bootlegging all around me. Heck, maybe you do it at every show. It just seems to me like the practice has gone by the wayside...and that is sort of sad. Thoughts?