BY MIKEY MIGO
I'm going to dissect the list and reveal how many of the top grossing tours are headlined by performers over the age of 40. We'll ignore the younger groups, country, and genre's that don't really matter and just stick to the rock and/or roll of it all. And of course I'm going to rate their longevity in a unique fashion. I'm going to use the "Rock!, Paper, Scissors" method. Do they STILL "Rock"? Does this just look good on "paper"? Or do I want to stab my eardrum with "scissors"?
In reverse order:
48. Bob Dylan
Gross: 6.1 Million
Tickets Sold: 100,129
Born: May 24, 1941
Tidbit: Dylan performing in Bologna in November 2005. Dylan has played roughly 100 dates a year for the entirety of the 1990s and the 2000s, a heavier schedule than most performers who started out in the 1960s. The "Never Ending Tour" continues, anchored by longtime bassist Tony Garnier and filled out with talented musicians better known to their peers than to their audiences. To the dismay of some fans, Dylan refuses to be a nostalgia act; his reworked arrangements, evolving bands and experimental vocal approaches keep the music unpredictable night after night.
My Take: It's awesome that he mixes it up every night, but to really rock you must have a good amount of new material to draw in new and younger crowds. The man obviously has talent because he's been around for many years, but to "Rock!" you must continue to always do so. Maybe the new album will rectify it all.
Rating: Paper.
39. Nine Inch Nails (Trent Reznor)
Gross: 7.7 Million
Tickets Sold: 208,784
Born: May 17, 1965
Tidbit: In early 2005, Nine Inch Nails debuted the "With Teeth" tour in small clubs across the country with Dresden Dolls as the support. In fall 2005, Nine Inch Nails launched a North American tour supported by Queens of the Stone Age, as well as Autolux for the first half of the tour followed by Death from Above 1979 during the second half. In the summer of 2006, Nine Inch Nails went back on the road for the third leg of the "With Teeth" tour doing amphitheater shows. These shows also featured legendary Bauhaus with TV on the Radio and Peaches also supporting half the tour each.
My Take: I'm a bit bias. I went to each leg of the tour and saw them a total of six times. Nine Inch Nails is my favorite band for sure, but I probably could have lived with only seeing them three or four times. The set list doesn't change all that much except for a small handful of songs here and there. What makes these show rock is the whole experience. Reznor never disappoints in putting on a visual assault of a show. I think of the entire "With Teeth" album, there was two songs that I didn't hear live. That and all the staples of the NIN catalog made for fun and aggressive concerts.
Rating: ROCK!
34. Willie Nelson
Gross: 9.5 Million
Tickets Sold: 205,939
Born: April 30, 1933
Tidbit: No stranger to controversy, he released the Tex-Mex-style "Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other," a song about gay cowboys, as a digital single through the iTunes Music Store on Valentine's Day 2006, shortly after the release of the film Brokeback Mountain. He deadpans his way through the song, with such phrases as "What did you think all them saddles and boots was about?" and "Inside every cowboy there's a lady who'd love to slip out." The song was written and first recorded more than twenty years previously by musicologist/songwriter Ned Sublette, and had also been covered, prior to Nelson's version, by queercore band Pansy Division.
My Take: It's Willie Friggen' Nelson. Most of the tours on this list are highly advertised, but this one wasn't so much. I am a radio and TV junkie and I would have seen it if I were on in the Chicagoland area. So, this tour STILL makes the list? Impressive. Willie's got street cred, yo.
Rating: ROCK!
31. Depeche Mode
Gross: 10.0 Million
Tickets Sold: 191,502
Born: David Gahan(May 9, 1962), Martin Lee Gore(July 23, 1961), Andrew John Fletcher(July 1961)
Tidbit: In March 2006, the website announced two dates in Mexico (a country they had not visited for twelve years). More than 55,000 tickets for a stadium in Mexico City were sold immediately, making the band give another date for that venue and showing that the popularity of the band in that country is as big as in many countries in Europe.
My Take: "Playing the Angel" is one of the best albums I've heard this year. Their tour is doing very well and as always they remain one of the most unique and most evolved musical groups out there today. A DVD of the Playing the Angel tour will be out soon. If you're anything like me, you're going to pick it up and rush home.
Rating: ROCK!
27. Bruce Springsteen & The Seeger Sessions Band
Gross: 11.6 Million
Tickets Sold: 152,998
Born: September 23, 1949
Tidbit: In April 2006, Springsteen released his latest album, We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions, an American roots music project focused around a big folk sound treatment of 15 songs popularized by Pete Seeger. It was recorded with a large ensemble of musicians, including only Patti Scialfa, Soozie Tyrell, and the Miami Horns from past efforts. The Bruce Springsteen with The Seeger Sessions Band Tour began the same month, featuring the 18-strong ensemble of musicians dubbed the Seeger Sessions Band. Seeger Sessions material was heavily featured, as well as a handful of (usually drastically rearranged) Springsteen numbers. The tour proved very popular in Europe, selling out everywhere and receiving some excellent reviews, but newspapers have reported that attendance at US shows has often been sparse.
My Take: Sparse attendance in the US? No Way! "The Boss" has lost a step in the past few years. The man ruled during the 80's with the "Working man" rock music craze. Since then, he has managed to reinvent himself and keep himself relevant. This time around it didn't work so much, but he could easily rebound and go in another direction. This just isn't my cup of tea.
Rating: Scissors.
25. Motley Crue
Gross: 12.5 Million
Tickets Sold: 234,643
Born: Vince Neil(February 8, 1961), Mick Mars(May 4, 1951), Nikki Sixx(December 1958), Tommy Lee(October 3, 1962)
Tidbit: The tour itself took many people in the media by surprise by becoming one of the biggest in 2005, grossing $33 million and making it the 8th biggest money maker for the year. The band had to add a second leg of sixty additional dates to meet fan demand. This ongoing tour included performances at the KROQ Weenie Roast and Live 8. A live DVD called Carnival of Sins, filmed in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was released on October 25th 2005. Also, on December 10th 2005 in Perth, Western Australia, Motley Crue along with Motörhead played an encore together onstage of "Anarchy in the UK," a worldwide first. On December 31st 2005, Motley Crue played the Crüe Year's Evil show in Detroit, MI. On January 26th 2006 the band was awarded a star of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, on occasion of their 25th anniversary. As of January 2006, they are set to return to the studio in May 2006 to record a new album with longtime producer, Bob Rock. On Monday, June 19th, Motley.com reported that Motley Crue will co-headline The Route of All Evil Tour with Aerosmith. The band promises a new bag of tricks with massive production and pyro. The tour will start in Columbus, Ohio on September 5th.
My Take: Motley Crue was my second concert and I still remember it vividly. It was before the whole "retro comeback" and the crowd was mostly middle aged people a lot of hairspray. That fact aside, the show rocked. Seeing them regain the spotlight and go at it full force again has been a fun ride. From the VH1 specials to "Tommy Goes to College," The Crue has not only regained spotlight but has reclaimed their spot in music. Their current material hasn't seen much play on the radio in Chicago, but from what I've heard is not bad at all.
Rating: ROCK!
23. Queen + Paul Rodgers
Gross: 13.4 Million
Tickets Sold: 166,712
Born: Paul Rodgers(December 17, 1949), Brian May(July 19, 1947), Roger Taylor(July 26, 1949)
Tidbit: On April 11, 2006, Queen appeared on the American singing contest television show American Idol. Each of the contestants was required to sing a Queen song during that week of the competition. Songs which appeared on the show included "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Fat Bottomed Girls," "The Show Must Go On," and "Innuendo." On April 28, Queen + Paul Rodgers released a second live DVD from their collaboration--"Super Live in Japan." The show was filmed at Saitama Super Arena on October 27, 2005--one of six Japan dates scheduled. On May 25, Queen was part of the inaugural inductees into the VH1 Rock Honors in Las Vegas. The ceremony aired on VH1 six days later. There have not yet been any official announcements regarding the future of Queen + Paul Rodgers.
My Take: Growing up Freddie Mercury was the shit. Personal information and the tragic ending aside, Queen will always remain one of the top musical groups of all time. If it was being exposed to them during your childhood or through the "Bohemian Rhapsody" scene in Wayne's World, you know this. But to me, when I think of Queen, I think of Freddie. No offense to Paul Rodgers, but those songs cannot be reduplicated to the effect of me wanting to pay my money to see them live.
Rating: Scissors.
20. Jimmy Buffett
Gross: 14.4 Million
Tickets Sold: 202,190
Born: December 25, 1946
Tidbit: Buffett continues to tour throughout the year although recently he has shifted to a more relaxed schedule of 20 to 30 dates, and never on back to back nights. In fact, he tries to play only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Ticket purchasing is becoming harder and harder each year. All of his concerts sell out in a matter of minutes. In 2006, Buffett plans a cooperative project allegedly with Anheuser-Busch to produce his own beer called Lone Palm. Lone Palm was also the title of a song from his 1994 album Fruitcakes. The label of the beer bottle will most likely feature a pirate's map.
My Take: Is Jimmy Buffett rock? I'm not even sure. The fact of his concerts selling out has to be true because the only concert that I'm aware of to sell out in Tinley Park, IL's "New Midwest Band Amphitheater" is Buffett's. While I'm sure the concerts are great times for people looking for an excuse to drink, that doesn't make it any good.
Rating: Scissors.
19. U2
Gross: 14.9 Million
Tickets Sold: 191,625
Born: Bono(May 10, 1960), The Edge(August 8, 1961), Adam Clayton(March 13, 1960), Larry Mullen, Jr.(October 31, 1961)
Tidbit: On February 8, 2006, U2 won five Grammy Awards, including "Album of the Year" for How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb. "If you think this is going to go to our head, it's too late," said Bono as he accepted the award for "Song of the Year." Coinciding with the 2006 World Cup in Germany, U2 lent their voices and their songs to ABC and ESPN for cross-promotional purposes. Bono, The Edge, and Adam Clayton can be heard in the commercial spots highlighting the games' sense of community and world unity.
My Take: People can claim they're starting to "sell out" all they want. U2 stands for their believes and I see no harm in backing products or causes that they stand behind. U2 is one of my favorite groups. If they were to sell out and continue to release great albums, I wouldn't careless. People should be more concerned with the talents of the artists than their personal endeavors. I know that's hard to swallow, but it's true. Don't hate R-Kelly because of what he did, hate him because his music is horrible. Back on track, I've always wanted to go to a U2 concert but it never works in my favor. I've seen the DVD releases and heard the live tracks. If you're not into helping the planet like Bono, don't think about it and just enjoy the great music of U2.
Rating: ROCK!
18. Elton John
Gross: 15.3 Million
Tickets Sold: 89,069
Born: March 25, 1947
Tidbit: Elton and Bernie Taupin are creating a sequel to their Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy album with another album about the last 30 years since "Captain Fantastic" has been recorded until now. The name for this album is The Captain and the Kid. It is due out in September of 2006
My Take: I would assume this new album will result in another tour. I know Elton has many hits, but the only one that ever stood out to me was "Tiny Dancer." And to be honest, that's just because of the movie "Almost Famous." If I win a million dollars and have nothing better to do, I still wouldn't attend an Elton John show. As a character, he's entertaining, but the music isn't my "scene" so to speak.
Rating: Scissors.
14. Pearl Jam
Gross: 17.2 Million
Tickets Sold: 330,197
Born: Eddie Vedder(December 23 1964), Stone Gossard(July 20, 1966), Jeff Ament(March 10, 1963), Mike McCready(April 5, 1966), Matthew Cameron(November 28, 1962)
Tidbit: The first leg of their 2006 World Tour was announced on March 7, opening with a two night stand in Toronto, and focusing on the major cities in the Northeast part of the United States, with rock band My Morning Jacket as the opening act. It concluded on June 3 in East Rutherford New Jersey. The second leg was announced on April 5, and began on June 23 with a show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and ends with a two night stand at the Gorge Amphitheater in George, Washington, and includes three two-night stands with legendary rock artist Tom Petty. Pearl Jam is also set to tour Europe for their first time in six years, after they were announced as the surprise headliners for the Leeds Festival and Reading Festival, and the tour will continue in Italy, Germany, Spain, Croatia, Portugal, Belgium, Austria, Czech Republic, Greece and many others before they head to Australia in November 2006. They are also billed as the opening act for U2's show in Hawaii at Aloha Stadium in December 2006.
My Take: Can someone explain to me what "Don't call me daughter" means? I've heard the song for years and I do enjoy it, but I'm lost on the meaning. Pearl Jam is known for long and great concerts. From what I understand, these guys leave it all on stage each and every night. While I'm not the biggest Pearl Jam fan in the world I can definitely respect the hell out of that.
Rating: ROCK!
12. Aerosmith
Gross: 21.8 Million
Tickets Sold: 233,824
Born: Steven Tyler(March 26, 1948), Joe Perry(September 10, 1950), William Hamilton(December 31, 1951), Brad Whitford(February 23, 1952), Joey Kramer(June 21, 1950)
Tidbit: The band hit the road for the Rockin' the Joint Tour on October 30th with Lenny Kravitz for a fall/winter tour hitting arenas in the largest U.S. markets. It was announced in January 2006 that the band will embark on a 5 week tour with Cheap Trick in the spring, hitting secondary markets in the US Rumors of a tour started when Cheap Trick frontman Robin Zander joined the band onstage for "Come Together" during a concert in Tampa, Florida a week before the announcement. The tour was plagued with cancellations, however, due to "an illness of a member of the band." On March 22, 2006, the band was forced to cancel all remaining dates of their tour with Cheap Trick, to give singer Steven Tyler time to recover from throat surgery. Aerosmith commenced recording of a new album on Armed Forces Day 2006. The band will embark on the Route of All Evil Tour, with Motley Crue in the fall, in preparation for the release of their new album, which is set for release in spring of 2007.
My Take: With the odd range that Tyler has, I'm happy that his throat surgery went okay. Aerosmith has been said to be "America's Greatest Rock Band of All Time." While that's BARELY arguable, no one can deny the fact that Aerosmith is legendary. Their last few albums haven't been all that great, but there's no way you could say their "sucked." As hard as it is to say, despite the older material being classic, there must be new material to support multiple legs of tours.
Rating: Paper.
7. Bon Jovi
Gross: 32.7 Million
Tickets Sold: 424,459
Born: Jon Bon Jovi (March 2, 1962), Richie Sambora (July 11, 1959), David Bryan (February 7 1962), Tico Torres(October 7, 1953), Hugh McDonald(December 28, 1950)
Tidbit: Soon after the release of Have A Nice Day, the band started gearing up for a new 2005/2006-world tour. This tour, being shorter than previous ones with only seventy-five shows; brings the band to numerous stages and arenas throughout the world. Originally it was planned for them to be the first act to perform at the new Wembley Stadium, however, the construction company Multiplex who are behind the stadium's rebuilding project have said that the stadium will not be ready until 2007. The concert was therefore moved to the Milton Keynes National Bowl with the same performance dates. Following dates in Japan and Europe, Bon Jovi will return to the US in the summer of 2006 for a few stadium shows, including 3 shows in the band's native New Jersey at Giants Stadium as well as in Boston, Pittsburgh, and Chicago.
My Take: "It's My Life" and "Have a Nice Day" are the SAME SONG. On a long trip last year I heard A LOT of Bon Jovi while traveling through southern Indiana. I heard at least a half dozen Bon Jovi songs and what I learned is that most of their songs sound the same. It really tainted my youthful impression of "Livin' on a Prayer" and "Dead or Alive," but it happens. I'm just not buying it anymore and neither should you.
Rating: Scissors.
3. Billy Joel
Gross: 47.2 Million
Tickets Sold: 613,002
Born: May 9, 1949
Tidbit: On January 7, 2006, Joel began a tour across the United States. Having not written any new songs, he featured a sampling of all his songs in his career, including his major hits. His tour includes an unprecedented twelve sold-out concerts over several months at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The singer's stint of 12 shows at Madison Square Garden broke a previous record set by New Jersey native, Bruce Springsteen when he played 11 sold-out shows at the same arena.
My Take: Yikes. How is Billy Joel number THREE? 12 shows selling out in New York? I officially blame New York. While I can understand his appeal to the older folks out there, please tell me why this man has sold over a half million tickets in such little time.
Rating: Scissors.
2. The Rolling Stones
Gross: 52.5 Million
Tickets Sold: 309,554
Born: Mick Jagger(July 26, 1943), Keith Richards(December 18, 1943), Ron Wood(June 1, 1947), Charlie" Watts (June 2, 1941)
Tidbit: February 18, 2006, was a historic day for The Rolling Stones: They performed to the biggest audience of their career, a free concert on Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro Brazil, where city authorities estimated attendance at 1,500,000. While the Guinness World Book of Records states the largest free concert ever was given in the same spot in 1994 by Rod Stewart, to 3.5 million people, that figure includes everyone who was on Copacabana Beach for fireworks and New Year Eve's celebrations, not just for that concert, so The Rolling Stones could hold the title of largest rock concert of all time.
My Take: This is only my third column, and in TWO of them I have mentioned Rod Stewart. Keep this away from psychiatrist. If they knew I was doing this I'd be committed. Any who, The Rolling Stones. I'd LOVE to see The Rolling Stones in concert. Well, that is if I could get in a time machine and go back twenty years. And if you think about it, if you went back twenty years and saw them would it be any worse than today? Yes, I'd love to see "Paint it Black" live, but I could have twenty years ago. Granted I'd have only been three, but they'd have still been old and most likely on a Retirement Tour. Stay out of the trees and the stay off the stage. But by all means, be in the Pirates movie. That'll rock.
Rating: Paper.
So that concludes the rockers of the list. I hope to help raise the awareness that "age" in music is meaningless. For the most part, these groups are only getting better with age. Then again, who was number 1? Madonna. Oiy.
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