Summary prepared by Fielding M. McGehee III. If you use this material, please credit The Jonestown Institute. Thank you.
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FBI Catalogue Music
FBI preliminary tape identification note: None
Date cues on tape: None
People named: None
Bible verses cited: None
Summary:
This short tape of instrumental funk music – which is both undated and without context – seems to be a live practice session of funk musicians. Its lack of polish and the musical selections suggest that it was likely made by a Jonestown/Peoples Temple band. If so, the recording was likely made in Jonestown where – according to Jonestown survivor Laura Johnston Kohl – people had more time and greater latitude to rehearse and perform music, especially since the Jonestown Express band was seen as a vehicle of goodwill and public relations for the Temple leadership to send to Georgetown.
Since there are no verbal clues on the tape, there is no way to verify this conjecture. There is also periodic double recording on two tracks, which makes analysis that much more challenging.
FBI Summary:
Date of transcription: 6/20/79
In connection with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s investigation into the assassination of U.S. Congressman LEO J. RYAN at Port Kaituma, Guyana, South America, on November 18, 1978, a tape recording was obtained. This tape recording was located in Jonestown, Guyana, South America, and was turned over to U.S. Officials in Guyana and subsequently transported to the United States.
On June 7, 1979, Special Agent (name deleted) reviewed the tape numbered 1B100-69. This tape was found to contain the following: music for 7:48 minutes and the rest was blank.
Differences with FBI Summary:
Other than the fact that the music lasted about 15 minutes, the summary is accurate and meets the FBI’s purposes.