[Slowhand] Re: Reply to ToeKnee

[ToeKneeF]

Who doesn't get it? Why is it that your analysis is right, to the 
exclusion of all other factors. I NEVER denied that part of the decline 
in sales might be attributed to EC's decline in popularity. It is not, 
however, based on any empirical evidence you have yet to present, the 
only cause. You presented your opinion and I countered with a plausible 
alternate scenario, that could also be a contributory factor. Your 
smarmy, close-minded, out of hand dismissal of anything but complete 
agreement with your OPINION is at best puerile and does nothing to 
bolster your position.

John Whitney wrote:

>

> My friend, I am unsure whether you just don't get it or just don't 

> want to get it. For his entire career, Clapton has played shows that 

> commanded top ticket prices. While, you may regard a $75 ticket on the 

> last tour to have been high, or maybe $90 this time to be exhorbitant, 

> these tours charged what the market allowed for their time. It has 

> always been that way with Clapton. You have never seen him play for 

> anything below the market of the day. The reality is that he has 

> always sold out both of the Midwest venues -- Chicago and St. Louis -- 

> for every show for the past 20 years. I know of no exception. Clapton 

> tickets in the Midwest have always been a hot item. On this tour, 

> Clapton is playing a bit below the market. Check it out: CSNY, Eagles, 

> Madonna, Rolling Stones, McCartney, Pearl Jam, DMB, Coldplay, 

> Radiohead, all play to sold out crowds at top ticket prices. Clapton 

> does not. You can devise all the excuses you wish. The reality is the 

> same. It is not the price of tickets that has kept fans away. The 

> artist has accomplished this on his own. His popularity has declined. 

> And, he has caused this himself. DN is absolutely correct. Clapton has 

> not challenged himself to play the music he is more than capable of 

> playing. His attraction to Climie and the milk-sop of programmed drums 

> and ill-conceived electronics was an easy choice for him. He is now 

> genteel, and good for him. Some of us may yearn for a return to the 

> axe of yesteryear, but it likely will not be delivered. I am going to 

> the St. Louis show and expect to see a nice show. Recently, I saw BB 

> again. I paid more than I did for Clapton. I expected some degree of 

> sweetness. After all, he is on his 80^th birthday tour. BB stroked all 

> the licks. He still is a musical genius and continues to play that 

> way. BB will probably pass away without being genteel, and good for 

> him, too. But, BB still sells out most shows and challenges himself 

> most every night.

>

> John

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> *From:* ToeKneeF [mailto:slowhandnj at comcast.net]

> *Sent:* Tuesday, June 27, 2006 4:43 PM

> *To:* Slowhand List

> *Cc:* jfw at insightbb.com

> *Subject:* Re: A measure of success ... ?

>

>  

>

> John, you were right to end your subject line with a question, because 

> it certainly leaves some room for discussion. One could see some merit 

> in your argument - ticket sales = relative popularity - if not for the 

> fact that it is simplistic and totally ignores other possible issues 

> that are just as important to ticket sales. If you were to examine an 

> audience at most major artistic/sports events, you would find at least 

> 3-4 different profiles. 1) The die-hard fan. 2) The casual fan 3) The 

> corporate freeloader (they're there because they got comped tickets 

> (that's how I get my Yankee and Giants Tickets), they may not 

> necessarily be fans but are more like the following.........4) Not 

> even a fan but has to be able to say they were at this 

> event.........I'm sure you could come up with a few more yourself. 

> Just as different motivations drive these people, different issues 

> will have an effect on their acquisition of tickets. So, how could 

> these people's buying behavior be affected? For most of these profiles 

> economics plays a big role. Promoters, people who couldn't find their 

> noses with a magnifying glass, have been complaining for some time 

> that their business is suffering and attendance is down across the 

> board. It doesn't take a genius to see that ticket prices have 

> escalated to obscene levels. I long ago made a decision that I would 

> not waste my time seeing the Stones live. I saw them in '69 and that 

> was, as far as I am concerned, their musical peak. My last Stones show 

> was mid-70's after 3 disappointing tours. A close friend, on the other 

> hand, is a DIE-HARD Stones fan, he has seen every tour since '69 and 

> always comes away satisfied. Did he see them on their last 

> tour..........NO.............not at those prices. It would have cost 

> him over $700 for 2 tickets. What does this have to do with our 

> discussion..........even die-hard fans have a limit and if ticket 

> prices go beyond that point, don't expect sell-outs, no matter who you 

> are. A casual perusal of industry sites and magazines shows that there 

> is significant concern, on the part of promoters, for the peak touring 

> season here in the US. There are a lot of acts out there competing 

> for, what is becoming, a limited pool of disposable dollars. It's no 

> secret that the US economy is in the dumper and many people are being 

> much more conservative with their purchasing behavior, concert tickets 

> are no exception...........................T

>

> -- 

> "Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted;

> the indifference of those who should have known better;

> and the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most;

> that has made it possible for evil to triumph."

>                        ------ Haile Selassie (The Lion of Juddah)


-- 
"Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted;
the indifference of those who should have known better;
and the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most;
that has made it possible for evil to triumph."
                       ------ Haile Selassie (The Lion of Juddah)

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