AUGUSTA – Jon Bauman – better known as Bowzer from the rock group Sha Na Na – told a legislative committee that he was a cornerstone of rock ‘n’ roll back in the 1960s, but after his presentation on impostor rock stars, lawmakers wanted proof.

In his suit and tie – he traded in his signature high-top sneakers and T-shirt years ago – he put his hands up in the air and his voice dropped.

“Yip-yip-yip-yip bom-bom-bom-bom pass L.D. 686…,” he sang in a 1950s upbeat fashion, dragging out the last syllable.

Bauman testified Tuesday before the Legislature’s Business, Research and Economic Development Committee in favor of the truth in music bill, which would keep impostor bands from taking on the personas of popular music groups.

The truth in music act is being pushed to some degree in every state. It has already been heard in 13 and approved in nine – all without opposition. A casino lobby group in Nevada has supported it, as well, Bauman said.

The bill, based on Pennsylvania law, would bar groups from advertising or performing under false or misleading connections with other musical groups. Imitators could face fines of $5,000 to $15,000, in addition to being forced to pay restitution.

Imitators could face fines of $5,000 to $15,000 per offense, the bill states.

Rep. Elaine Makas, D-Lewiston, the bill’s sponsor, said growing up she lived to the soundtrack of bands such as The Coasters, The Platters and The Drifters. The problem of imitators bothered her.

In some cases two or more bands using the same name appear at the same time in different parts of the country, she said. That happened as recently as January when oldie groups by the same name performed at the University of Maine and Las Vegas.

“For all the wonderful memories they gave me, I felt I owed them this,” she said, “to do what I could as a legislator to protect their legacy.”

Bauman said the bill is also being pushed on a federal level in regard to copyright issues. If it was a federal law, it would likely not be enforced, he said.

He said he was never a target. Sha Na Na had a strong visual presence, with a TV show and a spot in the hit movie Grease. Other doo-wop groups were not as recognizable, he said.

This is not a problem with today’s bands.

“Fifty years from now, it would be pretty hard to put four guys up on stage and call them U2,” he said. “(People would say) ‘Hey, you’re not Bono.'”

When people attend the nostalgia shows, they don’t know what’s going on. They may see two 40-year-olds and a 65-year-old on stage, and assume the older one is the original member of the band, when really, “He’s nobody,” Bauman said.

“The people are often just confused,” he added. “The public is duped, and as time goes on it happens more and more.”

It deceives the consumers, and hurts the original artists – who may want to perform but have the imitation groups undercut their price.

The bill does not affect tribute bands, which play other bands’ music, nor does it affect performers that people know aren’t the “real deal” such as Elvis impersonators.

“The shows we’re talking about essentially are tribute groups; they just have to call themselves that,” Bauman said.

Bauman said in his testimony that he is close with a lot of the artists who have been impersonated. It’s not a big issue, like health care; rather, it is a nagging issue that gets under people’s skin.

“I just want to get this done before everybody really does pass on,” he said.

He said goodbye to the committee by giving his signature raised-arm stance.

“Thank youze!” he said.