It does sound like a classic case of “where did that album go?”—you know, the sort of thing that makes the archivist’s day. A 1969 bootleg is a narrow window to open, and if a fire took the only copy, the only clues would be in the fire reports or the label’s inventory logs. I’d start with the local newspapers from that year and the National Archives for any fire incident reports, then see if any record‑keeping offices from the venue keep a catalog of materials. But given how often these stories get embellished, it’s also possible that the bootleg never existed and only survived in the imagination of the rumor‑makers. In short, the archives might have a footnote, but the myth could just be a myth.

That’s the sort of methodical hunt that makes the day worthwhile, even if it turns into a story about a myth. Look for any fire incident reports, fire‑department logs, and newspaper clippings from 1969, and then cross‑check any venue or record‑keeping archives that might have logged the bootleg. If nothing turns up, you’ll still have a neat narrative to tell.

I'll keep my notebook open and my patience steady. Let the search begin.