Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mark Shull on June 17, 2015 at 7:00pm

It's a real shame to me that a guy who I trusted a lot and became a good friend of mine turned out to be a crook. Very disappointing.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on June 17, 2015 at 8:30pm

Which Billy Smith is this?

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Permalink Reply by Bruce Juice on June 17, 2015 at 8:59pm

From Florida. Used to have a company called "Walls of Fame"  Used to run the Asbury Park Rock and Roll Museum. Used to sell REAL autographs.  I don't know whether he is doing the forgeries himself or gets them from someone else. At first glance they look authentic -- but Roger Epperson can spot a Billy Smith Springsteen a mile away. His eBay handle is: rd421smith2012

Here is the link to the auction:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRUCE-SPRINGSTEEN-E-STREET-BAND-AUTOGRAPHED...

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on June 17, 2015 at 11:24pm

Thanks, Bruce. That's the one I thought it was.

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Permalink Reply by Trond Johansen on June 18, 2015 at 2:38am

I have seen negativity against Billy Smith in here several times now the last couple of years.  First I will say that Billy is not in any circumstances trying to deceive anybody by purpose, that I am 100% certain of. All Bruce Juice say about Billy, the "Walls of Fame" (it still exists), and that he is the person who had "Asbury Park Rock and Roll Museum" in 1985-86 together with a partner, is true.

Billy is one of the best informed persons around about Springsteen's career, both historically and today. He is often the only one who is correct about predictions on what Springsteen is going to do/release next, when a lot of others believe in stupid rumors. So, I am sure he still has contacts deep into those who knows what is happening in JLM/Thrill Hill. (That is Springsteen's organisation) He is also a very nice person, always there to help fans and people interested to know more about E Street Band/Springsteen's career and history.  He is very trusted and have a high star in what we call the E Street Nation.

As I said over here, he is an honest person. He may have been fooled by other people some times, like the most of us have. I have myself seen a couple of Bruce/ESB items that he has got wrong, and in those cases I know Billy has been very polite, and refunded the buyer promptly. I also know he has owned, and sold a lot of very good ones. I know he was the owner of one of 3 existing personally personally signed acetate-records`s of Springsteen's first band, The Castilles. He has also been trusted by The Boss himself to borrow his world famous Fender Telecaster for a period for an exhibition at the Rock-Museum era. Springsteen would not trust just anyone with that..  

When it comes to this particular item, I will say Springsteen's signature is a little unusual, but I have seen several others from that era quite similar to this. Some of the other ones, Garry Tallent, Little Steven, Clarence Clemons, Max Weinberg, Roy Bittan is spot on to how they signed in the 80`s/90`s. I am not so good at Danny Federici, Patti Scialfa and Nils Lofgren, but they seem legit to me, compared to others I have seen. All in all, I would not say this item is a fake, just by looking at it. If it's a forgery, it is very well done, but knowing Billy`s good contact in E Street-land. I wouldn't be surprised if he has got it signed by the band himself. If it turns out not legit, I am totally certain it is not Billy Smith who has done it. 

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Permalink Reply by Trond Johansen on June 18, 2015 at 3:27am

For those who want to know a little bit more about Billy Smith, and his connections to E Street and Bruce Springsteen, please take 5 minutes to read this: www.castiles.net/interviews/billy_smith.html

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Permalink Reply by Bruce Juice on June 18, 2015 at 9:43am

Troud you really have to wake up and smell the coffee.  Yes, I agree the OLD Billy Smith used to sell authentic stuff but not for many years now. He has listed DOZENS if not more of forgeries not just by Springsteen but by many other bands. I checked these out and they all failed Epperson, PSA, and JSA.  Just because you think he's a nice guy can't excuse this.  At this point he MUST know the items he is selling are not real. I have saved many "Billy Smith" Springsteens in my exemplar file and they all look similar and none of them pass any reputable authenticator.  The one now on eBay would easily sell for 2000-3000 at an auction house yet it's at $975 with no bids. What does that tell you?  Either the entire eBay community is stupid and can't realize a fantastic deal --- or it's a forgery.   Which makes more sense?

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Permalink Reply by Trond Johansen on June 18, 2015 at 10:14am

Again, we must just agree to disagree, I am quite certain the one in question here is legit. I may be wrong, as everybody may be in this hobby. Remember nobody is flawless, and there is no God in the question on deciding if something you haven`t got in person yourself is real or not.

And also, remember, Billy Smith would easily get the autographs from most of the band in very short time if he wanted, (except Clarence and Danny who are dead of course)  he knows several of them. Granted, Bruce is worse due to his sheltered life in Colts Neck NJ. But why would he forge anything he would manage to get without too big difficulties? It doesn't add up. And forging sigs by people he can get access to easier than most of us?  I just can`t see the point anyways.

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Permalink Reply by Bruce Juice on June 18, 2015 at 10:46am

He doesn't have that access anymore -- you are talking many years ago -- 1990's when he got some of those Springsteen's in person like the Castilles record.  And he KEEPS on getting Danny and Clarence autographs. How do you explain that?   And the reason he would forge (or obtain from a forger) autographs?  The only reason they all do it -- MONEY.  If you really are "quite certain"  the one on eBay is real you should buy it and then sell at any auction house for a huge profit.  At $975 it's a real steal.

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Permalink Reply by Trond Johansen on June 18, 2015 at 10:53am

I could have if I had the money for it, but in 11 days I am going to Asbury Park, and the rest of Bruce-land for events and concerts this summer. Hopefully I will run into some of the guys there, at least see them in concert. I am not buying any new autographs anyways anymore, that period is over, I just have the good collection I built from 2010 to 2012.

When it comes to Billy and access, yes, maybe not as much as before, but I know he is friend with some former and maybe also todays E Streeters. And some of what he sells, he has had in his living room, or on a storage for decades. I don`t know about this one, but I will think he still have some in his private possession. Somethings I guess you will never part with.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Roberts on June 18, 2015 at 8:20am

I am one of the people who purchased a full signed E-Street album from Billy.  It sat on my wall for years until I got an idea to "just make" sure it was real.  I email Roger photos and behold - it was not real.  He even knew the source immediately.  I felt pissed, mad and totally down for a while, knowing that the prize of my collection was not even real.  I felt actually like an idiot. 

I contacted Billy Smith.  He actually remembered me, we became friends since we both loved Springsteen.  He said he would give me a full refund.  

NOW - did he knowingly sell me a fake.  I really don't think so and I hope to think that he didn't know.  Call me an idiot.  Was I worried that he might actually try and sell it once I sent it back.  Yes. 

At this point - I am not sure what he knows and what he doesn't know.  He gave me my money back very promptly and I give him that. WE ultimately have to look ourselves in the mirror each night...

Mark

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Permalink Reply by Gratefulphish on June 18, 2015 at 9:41am

Maybe someone should send Roger a link to this album for a quick opinion.  That might settle the issue of whether this particular album is authentic or not, which will also help ascertain how legitimate Billy is.  If he is a close insider as described, going back in time as far as he does, by this time, he ought to know whether Bruce and ESB signatures are authentic or not.

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