Tribute bands: Worthy cause or talentless money makers?

[EnSkorSang]

I used to think of tribute bands as the most crappy form of music for people with no talent for song or huge lack of effort and creativity to make a quick buck.

However, I just bought tickets to see the bootleg beatles in denmark, and am genuinely excited.
Being 21 i never had the chance to see the real deal, and the prospect of seeing old man mccartney straining his voice to hit the classics and having to sit through half his set listening to his most recent turd isnt something i would opt for.
So I now really appreciate the hardwork put in by tribute bands to acts long gone....but where do we draw the line? Are tribute bands to continuing acts just cashing in?
Or are bands playing a deceased persons songs for money being disrespectful?
Or should we be glad that there are people out there willing to spend there lives pretending to be someone else, and carrying on the legacy for new generations?

the short of it: what do you think of tribute bands?

[Firedance]

Originally Posted by EnSkorSang

Or are bands playing a deceased persons songs for money being disrespectful?

On the contrary, I see it as a compliment. And BTW, they're not all necessarily deceased either!

Unfortunately there are a lot of bad tribute bands around - but some great ones too. The Australian Pink Floyd are an obvious choice - really excellent.

Some are plain lazy as well as being relatively untalented which is a bit of an insult. Like any bands there are good, bad and ugly around.

In principle, I've nothing against the concept - wouldn't do it myself though.

[TheMusicMan]

I vote Worthy Cause.

I haven't exactly been swimming through the concert scene, but I feel like tribute bands are a great way for young bands to cut their teeth on performing together, interpreting another bands previous work. You have to learn how to perform somehow, and I'd much rather hear a tune with some structure and proven thought than some of the horrendous songwriting I've encountered by new bands.

Good musicians are far outnumbered by the amateurs they used to be. I say, let 'em learn, and hopefully what little money they earn is being spent on making new music. Or at least supporting the economy a little bit.