Classic rock isn't the draw it used to be

[TheRover]

Anybody check the sales of the new AC/DC release?

#1 in 29 countries.

Not bad for another "marshmallow on poop" band eh Rover? :

The "new" AC/DC is already "Classic" ? ? ?

That does not compute.....

Take away the AC/DC campaign.... and what do have ? ? ? ?

Poop

 

[wangchung]

Anybody check the sales of the new AC/DC release?

#1 in 29 countries.

Not bad for another "marshmallow on poop" band eh Rover? :

The "new" AC/DC is already "Classic" ? ? ?

That does not compute.....

Take away the AC/DC campaign.... and what do have ? ? ? ?

Poop

Remember the thread...?

"Classic rock isn't the draw it used to be"

The discussion was that classic rock bands are no longer relevent in regards to drawing big numbers on tour.

I never said the new CD was classic, but the band IS! And they're drawing huge numbers to the arenas and to sales of their new CD.

Get it?

BTW, have you even listened to the CD? It's pretty good, nothing groundbreaking, but that's not what we expect from AC/DC anyway.

 

[TheRover]

Anybody check the sales of the new AC/DC release?

#1 in 29 countries.

Not bad for another "marshmallow on poop" band eh Rover? :

The "new" AC/DC is already "Classic" ? ? ?

That does not compute.....

Take away the AC/DC campaign.... and what do have ? ? ? ?

Poop

Remember the thread...?

"Classic rock isn't the draw it used to be"

The discussion was that classic rock bands are no longer relevent in regards to drawing big numbers on tour.

I never said the new CD was classic, but the band IS! And they're drawing huge numbers to the arenas and to sales of their new CD.

Get it?

BTW, have you even listened to the CD? It's pretty good, nothing groundbreaking, but that's not what we expect from AC/DC anyway.

OK, Whatever.....

The thread title says nothing about "bands", but it's the Music of the bands, that is the topic of the thread. And that tired old bag of tricks, (the Music already over-played to the mindless) is what does not, and will n-e-v-e-r work, IMO.

 

[tashas]

I agree with an earlier post that stated you can in fact play classic rock artists next to new bands with no problem. Groups like Avenged Sevenfold, Black Tide, Dragon Force, Coheed and Cambria,etc. all have their roots in the guitar sound of the 80's. I hate to mention them because I am sure that many guys don't like them...but the intro to Hinder's new tune 'Use Me' is right out of the 80's (as well as the lines making up the chorus...) ;D

She's got a whole lotta love (Zep) Not 80's..but close enough
Any way you want it (Journey)
But it's Never Enough (LA Guns)
Finish what you started (Van halen)

I don't know about you guys, but the first time I heard JET, I thought I was hearing ACDC...then on their song "Look What You've Done" they channel the freakin' Beatles.

Guitar Hero has revived Classic Rock for those too young to know the music...and contrary to what some say...I DO hear stations playing a wide playlist from these classic rock artists. I know because I have played them...in Dallas (contrary to what Rover says ad nauseum.) I have played the complete Zeppelin library....Hot Dog...The Rover (and was waiting for him to call in when I played that one...he did not) The Lemon Song...Moby Dick...alllllllllllllll of them. On the anniversary of SRV's death, I played an entire hour of his music...did the same on the anniversary of Dimebag's death. There are several stations in Dallas that play deeper cuts. I guess it is just easier for some to gripe about things of which they are ignorant.

 

[TheRover]

I agree with an earlier post that stated you can in fact play classic rock artists next to new bands with no problem. Groups like Avenged Sevenfold, Black Tide, Dragon Force, Coheed and Cambria,etc. all have their roots in the guitar sound of the 80's. I hate to mention them because I am sure that many guys don't like them...but the intro to Hinder's new tune 'Use Me' is right out of the 80's (as well as the lines making up the chorus...) ;D

She's got a whole lotta love (Zep) Not 80's..but close enough
Any way you want it (Journey)
But it's Never Enough (LA Guns)
Finish what you started (Van halen)

I don't know about you guys, but the first time I heard JET, I thought I was hearing ACDC...then on their song "Look What You've Done" they channel the freakin' Beatles.

Guitar Hero has revived Classic Rock for those too young to know the music...and contrary to what some say...I DO hear stations playing a wide playlist from these classic rock artists. I know because I have played them...in Dallas (contrary to what Rover says ad nauseum.) I have played the complete Zeppelin library....Hot Dog...The Rover (and was waiting for him to call in when I played that one...he did not) The Lemon Song...Moby Dick...alllllllllllllll of them. On the anniversary of SRV's death, I played an entire hour of his music...did the same on the anniversary of Dimebag's death. There are several stations in Dallas that play deeper cuts. I guess it is just easier for some to gripe about things of which they are ignorant.

I won't be bullied .... I monitor the stations in Dalla enough to know they play the same old Classic Rock songs --most-- of the time..... They are comepletely predicatable 95.9% of the Time!

Ha Ha Ha !

 

[tashas]

 

[mcamp]

I recently saw The Who...plenty of good seats to be had 'day of show'. I got in for half price.
The AC/DC tour is selling well... but it does help when you haven't recorded/ toured in a bit....if it comes a round again, I'll bet that sales will be soft. You'll find that once a reunion/ comeback has gone on for a while, the novelty wears thin.

 

[Jacko]

As far as classic rock stations go, it seems that during much of the weekdays, especially drivetimes and middays, classic rock stations are relegated to the same 200-300 song library. Overnights and weekends, some of those "lost classics" get sneaked in, but still not in great quantity. Case in point, here in Boston, WZLX has their "Block Party Weekend" just about every weekend (it's annoying), and use that opportunity to sneak in that "lost classic" between two beaten-to-death songs by that same band (i.e. "Like a Hurricane" between "Southern Man" and "Rockin' In The Free World" in a given Neil Young block.)

I also feel that the classic rock format, as we know it now and have known it for a while, in the next few years will be in great danger. If the format is evolving, I feel it should be in the direction of what AOR stations were actually playing in the 80s and early 90s - similar to what Classic Rewind on Sirius/XM plays - as opposed to taking this almost exclusive hard rock direction, playing more AC/DC/Metallica/Van Halen/Guns N' Roses apporach. I think the listeners are there, they probably have just decided to listen to their local hot AC's/Jack FMs/oldies stations instead.

Jacko

 

[p_herring]

You wanna know why classic rock isn't the same draw it used to be? Because the boomers are getting older and get sick of seeing the same show year in and year out. The Rolling Stones might do well on paper but TRUST ME, it isn't that hard to get a ticket if you really want to go. All these classic rock acts parade around every few years charging an inexplicable amount of money so people in their 40's/50's can relive the glory days. However, once every three years is usually enough since, as previously mentioned, they only want to hear the hits. New songs = time to get more beer or check in with the babysitter in the lobby. As for classic rock radio, I can't think of a more tired format. Sure they might be introducing some new songs from the late 80's/early 90's but, for the most part, it's still that same old tired mix of late 60's/70's rock. The same shtick of Two-for-Tuesdays, Gettin' The Led Out, etc. Why anyone continues to listen to these predictable, crappy stations is beyond me. Today's youth may appreciate the music of their parents more than any generation before, but at $150+ per ticket, it's hard to get kids into these shows. And, trust me for those of you who are in advertising, eventually the Boomer audience will die off and stations will have to deal with the giant elephant in the room ("How do we target these millenials?")

 

[mcamp]

You wanna know why classic rock isn't the same draw it used to be? Because the boomers are getting older and get sick of seeing the same show year in and year out. The Rolling Stones might do well on paper but TRUST ME, it isn't that hard to get a ticket if you really want to go. All these classic rock acts parade around every few years charging an inexplicable amount of money so people in their 40's/50's can relive the glory days. However, once every three years is usually enough since, as previously mentioned, they only want to hear the hits. New songs = time to get more beer or check in with the babysitter in the lobby. As for classic rock radio, I can't think of a more tired format. Sure they might be introducing some new songs from the late 80's/early 90's but, for the most part, it's still that same old tired mix of late 60's/70's rock. The same shtick of Two-for-Tuesdays, Gettin' The Led Out, etc. Why anyone continues to listen to these predictable, crappy stations is beyond me. Today's youth may appreciate the music of their parents more than any generation before, but at $150+ per ticket, it's hard to get kids into these shows. And, trust me for those of you who are in advertising, eventually the Boomer audience will die off and stations will have to deal with the giant elephant in the room ("How do we target these millenials?")

A few good points, but I disagree regarding kids paying top dollar for shows....if anything, they have the most disposable income. Statistics show that many are staying at home well into their twenties (slackers), and parents allow them to stay "scott free"....look at some prices at Craigs List, E-Bay, etc...there is a market. I've also found that their is an audience for Classic Rock filled with people in their 20's, and they have somewhat picked up the slack for attendance at a Classic Rock event, but the core audience has wanned...as you said, when you've seen a band XXXX ammount of times, the novelty has worn off.
As for Classic Rock radio being a tired format...I think that's the state of radio. I know this site is filled with many who call radio the livelyhood, so I'll be somewhat gentle, but....when FM came to be, it was the counterculture to Top 40 AM radio...it was a venue for people who wanted more than "just the hits"....so my question is, what is the alternative to FM??

 

[p_herring]

You wanna know why classic rock isn't the same draw it used to be? Because the boomers are getting older and get sick of seeing the same show year in and year out. The Rolling Stones might do well on paper but TRUST ME, it isn't that hard to get a ticket if you really want to go. All these classic rock acts parade around every few years charging an inexplicable amount of money so people in their 40's/50's can relive the glory days. However, once every three years is usually enough since, as previously mentioned, they only want to hear the hits. New songs = time to get more beer or check in with the babysitter in the lobby. As for classic rock radio, I can't think of a more tired format. Sure they might be introducing some new songs from the late 80's/early 90's but, for the most part, it's still that same old tired mix of late 60's/70's rock. The same shtick of Two-for-Tuesdays, Gettin' The Led Out, etc. Why anyone continues to listen to these predictable, crappy stations is beyond me. Today's youth may appreciate the music of their parents more than any generation before, but at $150+ per ticket, it's hard to get kids into these shows. And, trust me for those of you who are in advertising, eventually the Boomer audience will die off and stations will have to deal with the giant elephant in the room ("How do we target these millenials?")

A few good points, but I disagree regarding kids paying top dollar for shows....if anything, they have the most disposable income. Statistics show that many are staying at home well into their twenties (slackers), and parents allow them to stay "scott free"....look at some prices at Craigs List, E-Bay, etc...there is a market. I've also found that their is an audience for Classic Rock filled with people in their 20's, and they have somewhat picked up the slack for attendance at a Classic Rock event, but the core audience has wanned...as you said, when you've seen a band XXXX ammount of times, the novelty has worn off.
As for Classic Rock radio being a tired format...I think that's the state of radio. I know this site is filled with many who call radio the livelyhood, so I'll be somewhat gentle, but....when FM came to be, it was the counterculture to Top 40 AM radio...it was a venue for people who wanted more than "just the hits"....so my question is, what is the alternative to FM??

You may see prices listed highly on craigslist but that's just people trying to make a buck. For most shows, even by classic rock giants, if you wait until day of, you can get in for face value (or less) merely because not that many people need to see The Rolling Stones again. I think you have a point with listeners needing to find the "alternative" to FM. My main annoyance is that we continue to shove this classic rock radio down everyone's throat when the bubble is going to eventually burst. We can't have formats solely playing 60's/70's music forever.

 

[aunti-terrestrial]

screw that! You can get cheaper beer at actual bars and just play their live albums on the jukebox see real bands who appreciate having an audience and will try their hardest to entertain you. Forget paying 7 dollars for a 12 oz beer at an arena!

FIFY-Fixed It For You.

 

[aunti-terrestrial]

Classic rock acts putting out new material has nothing to do with how well the show sells.
No one is there to hear their latest material....not that much of it gets radio play anyway.
When new material is played at a classic rock event, it means piss-break.
Someone metioned the Stones, and their success at the gate because they put out new material...a token song or two at their concerts doesn't bring their fans out of the wood-work...their audience is baby boomers who go to a couple of concerts a year, and are willing to pay top dollar for the experience...with an average price of $150+ a ticket, it surely does wonders for their gross earnings.

Still reading the thread. I guess I should reply all at once, instead of interjecting whenever I read something else.

I don't think it was lost on anybody that the Rolling Stones made the move to preview their new vid a couple of years ago on Days Of Our Lives. Days Of Our Lives! My granny used to watch that soap! But, since the girls who camped in line to buy Sticky Fingers are now all of an age where Days Of Our Lives might be don't-miss TV, the Stones went where their audience was. Not where they hoped it would be, but where it could be found.

I've got to tell you, working in the format, I've seen Rush 22 times. Yeah, most of those times were comp, but I put my own money down as well. Don't get me wrong. I love Rush. I enjoy everything they've recorded. I bought the Rio DVD when I had to get on a waiting list to do so. My last Rush show came a few years ago when I felt ripped off---not just for myself, but for the audience. It's too bad we didn't get the same show they were doing in Rio.

Here I was, standing on a muddy hill at a venue 38 miles from the center of town, hanging on the hill with 50+ year-old men who came prepared to rock. Rush started an hour late (no opener) and, at the halfway point of a 2.5 hour show, took a full 27 minutes offstage so the audience could be treated to a medley---a medley!---of classic hits, soundtracked to a lovely claymation cartoon adventure while the band was in the wings. "I came here to f*ckin' RAWK!" the gentleman beside me bellowed. I turned to him. He was covered to his thighs in mud and scowling at the screen. "I could watch this on YouTube," he apologized. "It almost killed my knees coming up the stairs. I didn't spend $125 and come all the way out here so we could watch a cartoon. HEY! WHERE ARE YOU GUYS?" The show was over an hour later. It took longer to get out of the parking area than it took the band to play the medley of classic hits.

I drove away that night thinking that if the audience rocks harder than the band, they've paid too much for the show. A few experiences like that, and how can we blame audiences for finding better things to do on a weeknight?

 

[sdh483]

screw that! You can get cheaper beer at actual bars and just play their live albums on the jukebox see real bands who appreciate having an audience and will try their hardest to entertain you. Forget paying 7 dollars for a 12 oz beer at an arena!

FIFY-Fixed It For You.

Thanks! Live (good) bar bands are more my style, that and dollar pint nights ;D