'60s and '70s acts dominating the top-grossing list:
- Last summer, five of the top 10 grossing tours were artists that came of age in the '70s, including Billy Joel and Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, Neil Diamond and the Eagles.
Three others were acts that debuted in the '60s: Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones and Cher.
Creed and the Dave Matthews Band rounded out the top 10.
....Peter Frampton, whose 1976 concert album "Frampton Comes Alive" has sold more than 16 million copies, said fans of '70s rock still want to see their heroes live.
"There's more of us at this age group," he said. "We are the baby boomers, and our audience has followed us all the way through. It's also because there was a lot of good music in the '70s. Those bands were good then, and they're still good now."
Norah Jones' manager, Steve Macklam, agrees that '70s bands have a much easier time at the box office than newcomers.
"Most of the newer acts haven't had a chance to develop a following," he said.
"The business these days, with its desire to turn a profit as quickly as possible, doesn't allow for the development of a fan base."
With classic rock bands, he said, "You have a mom and dad and sister and brother that bring the whole family. It's a safe ticket. You know what you're getting."
Also, fans of '70s bands are now in their 40s and 50s, and can afford high-priced concert tickets, while newer acts have younger fans with less money to spend. That means promoters make more money with older bands, no matter what size the venue.
....Bongiovanni predicted the top tours this summer would include Fleetwood Mac, Springsteen, and the Aerosmith-Kiss and Elton John-Billy Joel double bills.
Other '70s acts touring this summer include Boston, Steely Dan, Heart, Meat Loaf, James Taylor, Chicago, Jackson Browne, ZZ Top, Ted Nugent, Sammy Hagar, David Lee Roth, and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. [NY Post]
And don't forget Journey, Styx and REO Speedwagon - I mean, how could you?
Safety is what it's all about - with only so much leisure time and money, an awful lot of people want safety and nostalgia in their live performances. And what the hell else do the bands have to do?
Article comments
1 - Bill Lowe
I'm 51 years old. After shelling out $150 for two tickets to see Springsteen a few years back, and coming home disappointed not only in the sound quality, but in the lackluster, predictable performance, I no longer have any desire to see my old music heroes in concert. I can pay under $10 for admission to see local bands, and have a much better time than I would at a large concert venue for big name show.
2 - Eric Olsen
Bill, there are of course exceptions to general rules, and I am very pleased that you are one of the adventuresome exceptions. Good for you!
3 - Ben
I suspect that Phish will find themselves back in the top 5 grossing acts this year.
4 - Tim Hall
Going to see 70s veterans Blue Öyster Cult in a small club in Manchester a week tomorrow. I'll tell you whether they were good or lackluster.
I've seen them be both great and mediocre on different occasions; I hope the one mediocre gig was an off night
Come to think of it, most of the bands I've seen recently have been oldies, although Marillion would probably take exception to that label, since most of their live set is recent material rather than the stuff from their 80s commercial heyday.
5 - Eric Olsen
Tim, have fun and say hi, I saw them about 15 times in the '70s but never since. I bet they're older now.
6 - Tim Hall
They're definitely older! Eric Bloom
has lost the poodle perm, but Buck Dharma still looks like an accountant. But he still plays some amazing guitar.