The Kingston Trio, one of America's most renowned folk music groups, has initiated legal action against Los Angeles's Greek Theatre, the City of Los Angeles, Ticketmaster, and Live Nation Entertainment for multiple alleged breaches of contract. The lawsuit claims these breaches resulted in millions of dollars in damages from the group's August 2024 concerts and violated federal and state laws protecting elderly consumers.
Central to the complaint is the allegation 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 what the plaintiffs describe as a racketeering conspiracy extending to the mayor's office.
The lawsuit specifically highlights how Ticketmaster's ordering techniques created barriers for senior citizens, who constitute approximately 85% of the Kingston Trio's audience. The complaint states that requiring mobile apps and complex online portals effectively discriminated against elderly patrons attempting to purchase tickets, violating California's Unruh Act, which prohibits discrimination based on age in public accommodations.
Additional allegations include Greek Theatre management's negligence in fulfilling production agreements. The venue allegedly failed to film and deliver professional video and audio from one of the two August 2024 concert nights, despite contractual obligations. This omission resulted 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 lawsuit notes this is not an isolated incident but part of a historical pattern of misconduct dating to 1992. Greek Theatre management contracts have been repeatedly controversial, involving allegations of political corruption by city council members and improper awarding of exclusive agreements to well-connected entertainment companies rather than through open bidding processes.
The Kingston Trio's legal action coincides with broader regulatory scrutiny of 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 also accuses the companies of misleading artists and consumers through bait-and-switch pricing and false claims about purchase limits.
The complaint connects these alleged breaches to what it characterizes as a RICO conspiracy within Los Angeles city government, citing this as the fourth major scandal involving Mayor Bass's administration in less than two years. Previous issues include mishandling of the Palisades Fire, a federal lawsuit regarding missing millions designated for homeless services, and a class action ensuring accessibility for handicapped individuals at city recreation facilities.
The plaintiffs are demanding a jury trial on all issues. The case highlights ongoing concerns about ticketing practices, venue management transparency, and protection of vulnerable consumer populations in the live entertainment industry. The outcome could establish important precedents for how public venues manage ticketing contracts and serve diverse audience demographics.
