Kingston Trio Sues Greek Theatre, Ticketmaster Over Elderly Discrimination

The legendary folk music group The Kingston Trio has filed a major lawsuit against Los Angeles's Greek Theatre, the City of Los Angeles, Ticketmaster, and Live Nation Entertainment, alleging multiple contract breaches that caused millions in damages during their August 2024 concerts. The legal action centers on what plaintiffs describe as "blatant breaches of contract" by Greek Theatre Management, including the improper awarding of exclusive ticketing rights to Ticketmaster in violation of city mandates. The lawsuit claims this arrangement violates the Federal RICO Act and involves political corruption reaching all the way to Mayor Karen Bass's office, marking what the plaintiffs characterize as a "RICO conspiracy" within Los Angeles city government.

Among the most striking allegations is that Ticketmaster's ordering techniques effectively discriminated against elderly concertgoers, who constitute 85% of The Kingston Trio's audience. The complaint states that non-user-friendly requirements for apps and multiple portals created "frustrating barriers" that shut out senior citizens from purchasing tickets, violating California's Unruh Act protections against age discrimination. Additionally, the Greek Theatre negligently failed to film and deliver professional video and audio from one of the two concert nights, causing the cancellation of a planned documentary film and double live album. The lawsuit reveals this isn't an isolated incident but part of a "historical pattern of misbehavior" dating back to 1992, with Greek Theatre management contracts repeatedly embroiled in controversy and political corruption allegations.

The Kingston Trio joins a growing list of entities challenging Ticketmaster's practices, as the Federal Trade Commission and seven states are simultaneously suing the ticketing giant and its parent company Live Nation for allegedly coordinating with ticket resellers and engaging in bait-and-switch pricing schemes. The plaintiffs are demanding a jury trial on all issues, seeking accountability for what they describe as systematic misconduct that has harmed both artists and consumers. This case adds to Mayor Bass's mounting challenges, coming alongside lawsuits addressing homeless funding mismanagement and accessibility issues for handicapped residents, creating what the complaint characterizes as a fourth major scandal for the administration in under two years.