Kingston Trio Sues Greek Theatre, City of Los Angeles Over Alleged Contract Breaches and Elderly Discrimination

The Kingston Trio, one of America's most renowned folk music groups, has initiated legal action against Los Angeles' Greek Theatre, the City of Los Angeles, Ticketmaster, and Live Nation Entertainment for alleged breach of contract and discriminatory practices. The lawsuit centers on the group's August 2024 concerts at the iconic venue, claiming multiple contract violations that resulted in millions of dollars in damages.

The legal complaint alleges that Greek Theatre management, with approval from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and her appointees to the Commission on Recreation and Parks, violated the Federal RICO Act by granting Ticketmaster exclusive ticketing rights contrary to city mandates prohibiting such arrangements. This alleged misconduct forms part of what the lawsuit describes as a broader pattern of improper contracting practices at the venue dating back to 1992.

A significant aspect of the case involves allegations that Ticketmaster's ticketing procedures discriminated against elderly concertgoers. The lawsuit claims that non-user-friendly ordering techniques, requiring mobile apps and multiple online portals, created barriers that effectively prevented many senior citizens from purchasing tickets. This allegedly violates California's Unruh Act, which prohibits discrimination against elderly individuals accessing public facilities. The complaint notes that elderly fans constitute approximately 85% of The Kingston Trio's audience, and Greek Theatre management was aware of this demographic in writing prior to the concerts.

The legal action also addresses professional negligence claims against Greek Theatre management. According to the lawsuit, the venue breached its production agreement by failing to film and deliver professional video and audio recordings from the two-night concert series. The complaint alleges management "forgot" to record one full day of the two-day event, resulting in the cancellation of a planned two-hour documentary film and double live album, along with future large-venue concert opportunities for the group.

The Kingston Trio's lawsuit comes amid broader legal challenges facing Ticketmaster and Live Nation. The Federal Trade Commission and seven states are currently suing the companies for allegedly coordinating with ticket resellers and allowing them to harvest millions of dollars' worth of tickets for resale at significant markups. The FTC has accused the companies of misleading artists and consumers through bait-and-switch pricing and false claims about purchase limits.

The lawsuit characterizes the alleged misconduct as reflecting a RICO conspiracy reaching to the Mayor's office, connecting it to other recent controversies involving city management. The plaintiff is demanding a trial by jury on all issues. The full complaint can be viewed at https://www.tropeandtropelawgroup.com/kingstontrio-complaint.

This legal action highlights ongoing concerns about ticketing accessibility, particularly for older demographics, and raises questions about venue management practices in publicly-owned facilities. The outcome could potentially influence how municipal venues nationwide handle ticketing contracts and accommodate diverse audience demographics, making this case significant for both the entertainment industry and consumer protection advocates.