What bands or entertainers treat their fans well?

[Nitro Express]

The first band that popped into my mind was KISS. I was the kid with all the KISS posters on the wall blasting KISS ALIVE. The band has always followed a formula of hype, promotion, gimmicks, and shameless merchandising, but their fans love it! KISS delivers and is not afraid to take our money. They never were. Shit, I wish Van Halen had more merchandise in their hey day.

KISS has been around since 1972. They have done stupid things and lost band members but they kept it going and eventually had a reunion tour with the original members.

I got to meet Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. Nice guys and sure there is some ego there but they really did seem to appreciate their fan base in a genuine way. Probably two of the most charismatic entertainers I ever met in person. They were pros for sure. It just reminded me of how Van Halen has dropped the ball over the years.

[DrMaddVibe]

Kiss is tops in my book as well; however I've also seen these guys:

Fishbone - Served up mad amounts of time to any fan that wanted to hang with them.

Cake - T-Shirt swaps to beer bongs to free pizza on the bus...John is alright in my book with a 4-star rating!

The Rolling Stones - When they tour they're all business, when they record...They're all about fun and living large. Got to hang for awhile with them in the Caribbean. I'll never forget that 2 week experience!

Chris Issak - Still meets his fans after shows. Awesome performer.

Living Colour - Never forgot that they're still huge fans and get to live out their dreams.

RHCP - Nothin' but YEAH when you're invited to attend a pre-tour warm-up in a 500 seat bar with them and their closest friends!

Thes groups popped in my head right off the bat, but I'm sure I'll be able to think of more.

[academic punk]

Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson, and Michael Jackson.

[Figs]

I thought of Kiss before clicking on this thread. I would say the one shitty thing they did was to paint up guys to look like Ace & Peter. But mostly they give their fans what they want.

They don't cop an attitude about playing their bigger songs. When Psycho Circus came out, they played only one song off that album, and it was the second song of the night. I hate seeing a band for the first time in years and they play all new shit that sucks.

As for the over-selling of merchandise, who cares, do what I do - don't buy any.

[academic punk]

Fugazi.

[DrMaddVibe]

Figs...I hate to threadjack, but on this I just have to.

Gene & Paul realized early on that Kiss was a machine. In order for it to operate well it took 4 members...SOBER! Ace and Peter both battle demons that I personally don't think they will ever be able to control. When Kiss was forced with the decision to quit or re-group the first time they went out w/out make-up because of their fans. They sold more albums without make-up than they did with it and their tours were some of the highest grossing ever. Now after the Unplugged when Ace and Peter were brought back into the fold Gene and Paul saw and felt the crowd energy and wanted to give the fans what they wanted. Makup,stage show with 4 original members. They recorded a mediocre ablum that Ace wasn't even a part of! Several tours took their toll and old demons crept back into the band that didn't need to be there for the band to be "on" every night. When they first departed they bought the rights to the Catman and Space Ace image. They can do with it what they want. In order to give the fans what they want they've sought out suitable and in some instances better replacements than Ace and Peter. I have remarkable respect for both to this day, but I can't see how a band should be held hostage because of selfish behaviors of a few.

As long as Kiss is still able to put on a show...I'll be there. Every show I've seen since the Reunion Tour, Paul even speaks out and tlaks to the crowd..."How are we doin' so far?" and "If we haven't given you your money's worth then we know you wouldn't be there".

THAT'S what seperates Kiss from Van Halen. Kiss is all about the fans and giving back. Van Halen started out that way, but took the easy road for the quick buck at every chance they've had since Dave left/forced out.

Do I wish Ace and Peter were still there...yeah, but if I have to see a quality show without them and they still perform...give me the replacements hands down anyday!

Eddie & Dave...you listnin'?

WAKE THE FUCK UP!

GIVE US WHAT WE WANT!

[Don Corleone]

Iron Maided: The fans wanted Bruce and Ardrian back, and they got Bruce and Adrian back

AC/DC: Does a year go by where these guys don't hit the road at some point.

[Figs]

DrMaddVibe-

Well this is my take. I saw the Revenge tour, and it was a great show and I didn't really miss the other guys. I did kinda miss Criss' voice for Black Diamond, etc.

I don't mind them kicking out the bad apples so much, I just don't think they should have painted up the others as if they were trying to pull a fast one on people. I don't know for sure, but when they first did this with Criss, it was mid-tour (1st "farewell" tour), and I don't think any formal annoucement was made or refunds offered. I could be wrong. And I think this time around Criss was canned because he wanted more money.

From a personal standpoint, I went to the reunion tour and had a great time. If I bought tickets for the next tour and later I heard they replaced Criss after already purchasing tickets, I wouldn't have been very happy.

Anyway, I'm glad to have seen one of the last shows with the original four in Virginia, near DC.

Excuse me while I search for more porno.

[Hardrock69]

Well, this is not exactly Rock and Roll, but Garth Brooks goes above the call of duty when dealing with fans.

Back in the 90s, I think he somehow figured out who his millionth fan to see him live on that tour was, or something like that, and gave them a new truck and a bunch of other prizes as well.

This is a dude who showed up unannounced at Fan Fair (an annual country music convention in Nashville where fans can meet their favorite country artists) at the place where artists were holding meet & greets with fans, and signed autographs for something like 24 hours straight.

The thing is, before he got big, he got a degree in marketing from the University of Oklahoma. He is smart when dealing with fans.

Just as Iron Maiden is. They are tops in my book, because even though they release a lot of new product, they are not salesmen like Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are. They are not selling Iron Maiden Kaskets, or Iron Maiden toilet paper.

Kiss was great for the fans, and still are to some extent, but now it is only if it can add some major bucks to Gene & Paul's bank account.

IM just do it for the fans.

Micheal Jackson...yeah...right! :rolleyes:

He treats his young fans TOO well. He lets them sleep in his bed, gives them wine, shows them porno, then sucks their little pee-pees.

Now Ashlee Simpson...she could treat her fans well, by stripping naked and taking on any fan that wanted to fuck her....

:D

[academic punk]

Originally posted by Hardrock69


Micheal Jackson...yeah...right! :rolleyes:



:D

...no one gets my humor...

as for ashlee, maybe, but she'd lip-synch all the moaning and cooing, and then blame the band.

[fe_lung]

Originally posted by DrMaddVibe


Chris Issak - Still meets his fans after shows. Awesome performer.



Good call. I've met Chris a bunch of times and he was awesome, as was the rest of his band!

U2 are class acts. They're always gracious and friendly.

Better Than Ezra usally invites fan club members into soundcheck and hang out for autographs and whatnot..

Both Willie Nelson and Steve Earle almost always hang out and sign autographs, etc after the show.

I have a friend who works in the entertainment union - sets up lights and runs spots for the local venues- he said that Bette Middler (or was it Sammy Hagar?) was really nice, as was Faith Hill who didn't even get upset after he went on a swearing tirade in front of her kids.

[Nitro Express]

Gene Simmons has been up front and honest that Peter Criss wanted more money. He also said the original KISS lineup is like a family and all families have some disfunction at the junction. Gene really drives it home that KISS is bigger than any one member of the band and Ace and Peter will always be members of KISS whether they are currently in the band or not.

I always thought Gene was spot on with his attitude. Things happen, people change, fights happen. Gene and Paul keep it in the family. I've never heard those guys bash Ace or Peter. They might say they had substance abuse issues or other issues in a real diluted sense but never bashed them. Very cool in my book, especially if you look at Van Halen.

KISS are proud of their legacy and they have treated that with the upmost respect. Van Halen didn't. That's the difference. For KISS being a band was bigger than the individual egos. I'll give Paul and Gene a lot of credit keeping it going as long as they have. Not many people could have done what they have done.

[Nitro Express]

Jay Leno. I had to pick him up at the airport when he was Johnny Carsons fill in. He was doing some stand up comedy. Real down to earth and very friendly. A normal guy. A lot of people would have a real attitude that they were hosting the Tonight Show when Johnny wasn't there.

[Calderone]

Frehley's comet and Vinnie vincent invasion !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[vanzilla]

Cowboy Mouth are the coolest, most down to earth guys on the road today. Totally respect their fans and hang out with them after every show.

Same goes with Eric Sardinas. And I can't forget Will Hoge.

[rustoffa]

Willie Nelson- He hangs around by the bus after the show 'til the last person gets to shake his hand.

Joan Jett- She really loves and appreciates her fans. (especially the nubile female variety!)

L7- Personable, down-to-earth, tampon-chunkin', psycho, post-punk hard rockin' fuckers.

Southern Cuture On The Skids- You can eat fried chicken with 'em on stage.

Gwar- They'll feed you to a blood-spewin' monster.

I'll think of some more and post 'em in House of Music.

[Mr Badguy]

Iron Maiden and AC/DC spring to mind.

I don`t care how much archive stuff they put out, I will buy as much "classic" stuff as I can get.

The more the better.

Noone is holding a gun to anybody`s head to buy stuff.

Everyone always says that it is the hardcore fans that get ripped off when bands release "old" material, but they`re the one`s who want it most.

[Bill Lumbergh]

Originally posted by DrMaddVibe
Figs...I hate to threadjack, but on this I just have to.

Gene & Paul realized early on that Kiss was a machine. In order for it to operate well it took 4 members...SOBER! Ace and Peter both battle demons that I personally don't think they will ever be able to control. When Kiss was forced with the decision to quit or re-group the first time they went out w/out make-up because of their fans. They sold more albums without make-up than they did with it and their tours were some of the highest grossing ever. Now after the Unplugged when Ace and Peter were brought back into the fold Gene and Paul saw and felt the crowd energy and wanted to give the fans what they wanted. Makup,stage show with 4 original members. They recorded a mediocre ablum that Ace wasn't even a part of! Several tours took their toll and old demons crept back into the band that didn't need to be there for the band to be "on" every night. When they first departed they bought the rights to the Catman and Space Ace image. They can do with it what they want. In order to give the fans what they want they've sought out suitable and in some instances better replacements than Ace and Peter. I have remarkable respect for both to this day, but I can't see how a band should be held hostage because of selfish behaviors of a few.

As long as Kiss is still able to put on a show...I'll be there. Every show I've seen since the Reunion Tour, Paul even speaks out and tlaks to the crowd..."How are we doin' so far?" and "If we haven't given you your money's worth then we know you wouldn't be there".

THAT'S what seperates Kiss from Van Halen. Kiss is all about the fans and giving back. Van Halen started out that way, but took the easy road for the quick buck at every chance they've had since Dave left/forced out.

Do I wish Ace and Peter were still there...yeah, but if I have to see a quality show without them and they still perform...give me the replacements hands down anyday!

Eddie & Dave...you listnin'?

WAKE THE FUCK UP!

GIVE US WHAT WE WANT!

Kiss DID NOT sell more albums without makeup!! What the fuck ever gave you that idea?!

[Mr Badguy]

Originally posted by Bill Lumbergh
Kiss DID NOT sell more albums without makeup!! What the fuck ever gave you that idea?!

And they didn`t sell more tickets either.

Nowhere near it.

Why do you think they put the make-up back on?

Unfortunately when that happened it was over.

Kiss were no longer a forward thinking band, they turned into a circus.

Now they`re just a side show.

[Mezro]

The master of class and fan interaction himself: Ronnie James Dio.

Mezro...you will not meet a nicer guy and...you will always be taller than him...when you take a picture ask him to stand on a phone book...

[bueno bob]

Ronnie James Dio, Opeth and The Misfits (sans Danzig) are without any doubt the most outgoing towards their fans I've ever met in person, and I think they're all pretty respectable towards the fan base entirely.

[bueno bob]

Originally posted by Mr Badguy
Iron Maiden and AC/DC spring to mind.



Iron Maiden's a GREAT band to it's fans - just as long as you're not American, that is... :rolleyes:

I, for one, am fucking SICK of listening to them complain about how far behind America is just because they can't sell here anymore. They need to fucking deal with reality and realize that they're not gonna move like they did between 1980-1985....

As far as their "not touring America because Americans are a bunch of assholes to us", well, fuck 'em! Up those irons, Steve!

[fe_lung]

Weezer have released more music for free via their website than they ever have put out commercially. That's pretty cool in my book.