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Tone Loc is a Funky Cold Cheap Bastard

Posted Mar 30th 2008 1:22PM by TMZ Staff

Tone LocThe only way Tone Loc can get a gig anymore is if a bar owner gets taken for a ride.

Two small Michigan bars were scammed out of a total of $1,400 last summer after a man posing as Loc's manager promised the rapper would play at their establishments. Why this con man didn't pose as the manager of a popular rapper -- one from the 21st century, perhaps? -- is a mystery.

Fast forward to this year, where Tone's real manager heard about the misfortune, and out of the kindness of his heart agreed that the rapper would play at both bars -- for Tone's regular fee.

Clearly Sir Mix-a-Lot, Young MC and Kid 'n Play were all too busy.




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16. Tsunamis are awesome ... earthquakes are awesome ... the electricity produced by the turbines at Hoover Dam are awesome, but I can ASSURE you that Tone Deaf AIN'T awesome. Learn some new definitions ...

Posted at 7:57PM on Mar 30th 2008 by Dear Jolie ...

17. I own a bar in Illinois. Less than a year ago, I received a phone call from Tone Loc's "manager." We on spoke on several occasions. He seemed well-informed and professionally. I agreed to book a show and started advertising on my website. A week later, the "manager" called asking me to send a money order in full for the show. I was immediately suspicious and refused. A band has never requested payment in advance. The other bar owners should have known it was a scam!

Posted at 8:33PM on Mar 30th 2008 by Amy

18. If you sent someone payment in full (in a money order no less) before a show then I recommend that in the future you cut grass, wash cars or walk dogs. You're not capable of running a business ... DUH!

Posted at 9:03PM on Mar 30th 2008 by Dear Other Bar Owners ...

19. sounds like he's a stand up guy to offer to play the bars after they were scammed...besides nothing he has done, or not done, lately is as sad as hearing biz markie sing a pepto bismol add on the radio!

Posted at 9:34PM on Mar 30th 2008 by esby77

20. Your title is a lie. Ton Loc is not the bastard here- he ended up doing the right thing!!! TMZ sucks

Posted at 9:10AM on Mar 31st 2008 by makeroomforme

21. To Amy in Illinois - I am also a bar owner in Illinois and booked a national act. They asked for 50% 30 days prior to the gig. So you are wrong. The national act also showed up. The rider required that we send a wire but in stead I sent a check.

You don't know what you are talking about.. You should get the facts unless you are telling me you are an expert on all national acts and their payment requirements.

Posted at 5:02PM on Mar 31st 2008 by Anne

22. Hi TMZ, This is Tone's Real manager, Bobby Bessone. First of all, you took this story from a newspaper in Michigan. That newspaper interviewed me and I gave them the story. You should have called me for the interview instead of pretending it was yours. Unfortunately, they quoted me wrong as Tone "went down in price" to do these shows and to help these people out. He did not go for his usual fee. As you know, some interviewers forget things that were really said and quite a bit! Regardless of this, why slam someone when they did nothing wrong?

Believe it or not, Tone plays a lot of festivals and colleges across the country and performs anywhere from 300-3,000 people. I would like to extend an invitation to you on any of our future shows so you can see how professional and fun Tone is but only if you say something positive about the experience! Let me know?

Posted at 7:05PM on Mar 31st 2008 by Bobby

23. Bobby:
We are doing a large anniversary of our company (30 years in the DJ biz) and are looking to book Tone for an event this summer. Can you contact me or post your phone number, e-mail so we can get booking info? Burlington Vermont loves Tone!

Posted at 8:16PM on Mar 31st 2008 by Grant Allendorf owner Supersounds Entertainment (Vt)

24. Looks like TMZ lost some viewers and

Tone Loc rekindled some fans.

I almost forgot about these very cool songs. I think I'll go add Funky Cold Medina and Wildthing to my ipod play list.

Posted at 10:33AM on Apr 1st 2008 by Ruby

25. Smart move for Tone Loc to perform at those bars. I think that fake manager wanted to cash in on Tone's fame by booking shows at those places. But when it's Tone himself and his real manager booking it on their own, it makes the fake one look like a joke. It's good that Tone is still peforming 19 years later after Wild Thing and his Loc'ed after Dark album were major hits.

Posted at 12:28PM on Apr 1st 2008 by PN

26. My name is Judy...I am the owner of the first Michigan Club, Bumpers Bar & Grill, that was scammed by the phoney, pretend Tone Loc booking agent. I am fairly certain that I was not the 'first' to be scammed by this degenerate, but the first to follow through and contact Bobby Bessone, Tone Loc's real manager, to inform him of the incedent. The con artist, 'Jennings' from Chicago, presented me with professional contract and riders and requested that down payment be mailed to a Chicago address. These are all normal booking procedures.
We are extremely excited about the April 12th 'Tone Loc Live' Show at Bumpers as are many of his Detroit area fans, as proven by the tremendous ticket sales. My appreciation to Bobby Bessone and Tone Loc who have been so accommodating in booking the Michigan shows and adjusting the normal price so that we would not be out the money scammed by the Jennings parasite.
Thanks Anne for your comment to Amy from Illinois. All national acts require a down payment before the show and balance at the time of the performance...just a little 'common business sense' for you Amy. And to the college guy who claims that Tone was booked and didn't show...was your booking agent named Robert Jennings?

Posted at 12:14PM on Apr 2nd 2008 by Judy Johnson

27. You guys are REALLy stupid. I have met Tone and his manager Bobby Bessone several times. I have seen Tone perform several times. I know them both to be generous, upstanding people. Tone is an incredible artist. Screw a comeback. He's still here! His old stuff is still great. Hell, I hear it on the radio every day. Whoever this guy scamming the bars is, I hope he's caught. But you guys suck for not giving credit where credit is due. This guy is a rap legend. Have some respect. What has TMZ done except slam people every chance they get. Did your writers even get a GED, or are you just palying by ear?

Posted at 12:19AM on Apr 2nd 2008 by Dre Gailbreath

28. Dear Joni, you're a bitch

Posted at 12:18AM on Apr 2nd 2008 by Dre Gailbreath

29. Wow TMZ!!!... You really are low life journalist.....as my father use to say....When you have nothing good to say....You should say nothing at all!!!!!!............................

Posted at 10:09PM on Apr 5th 2008 by Monique

30. Ha! I'm so glad Tone's manager called TMZ out on this. Tone is obviously a wild thing and a decent stand-up kinda guy. TMZ - you suck!!!

Posted at 5:08PM on Apr 20th 2008 by Funky Cold Medina

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