Thursday , March 28 2024

Ye Olde Pharts Top Concert Draws

’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?

About Eric Olsen

Career media professional and serial entrepreneur Eric Olsen flung himself into the paranormal world in 2012, creating the America's Most Haunted brand and co-authoring the award-winning America's Most Haunted book, published by Berkley/Penguin in Sept, 2014. Olsen is co-host of the nationally syndicated broadcast and Internet radio talk show After Hours AM; his entertaining and informative America's Most Haunted website and social media outlets are must-reads: Twitter@amhaunted, Facebook.com/amhaunted, Pinterest America's Most Haunted. Olsen is also guitarist/singer for popular and wildly eclectic Cleveland cover band The Props.

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