VH Chart, Ticket Sales, Tour Success - NOT!

[RogueHorseman]

Originally posted by dysfunction
So how are bands so fuckin rich? They don't make shit off the records. Where in the hell does there income come from if it doesn't come from the record company or the tour? Because according to my calculations only 0.32615974657854% of the bands would do this shit if they weren't making money. Or am I supposed to believe that there were only like ten bands in history to make money and that people like Robert Plant and Don Henley had to go work at Wal-Mart because every single tour they had didn't sell out.

In this type case, think of it like, say, a waitress or car salesperson... the artist gets a set fee (salary) up front per show just to work the gigs. It may be big money for someone like Prince currently, it may be scale for someone like Sammy Hagar... all depends on their drawing power, track record, etc. Now, "commission" bonus dollars (potentially, really big money, for a hugely successfully tour like say VH 1984) kicks in above and beyond that set fee based on shared profits after expenses.

Ed is supposedly getting a nice up front fee just to finally get of his ass, but Sam and Mike are just looking at a standard payday to play (which Dave would not agree to, knowing his huge drawing power in THIS situation, plus the royalty screw job, past dues/past stature and place in the bands heyday, etc.).

Non-profitable "grand scale" tours like this one, and VHIII for example, really hurt the artists down the line as the promoters get gun shy after a while and don't want to touch them after losing so much money. And, that is their literal bottom line, money.

After VHIII, Ed never could have gone out on tour with Gary and commanded much of anything up front, and frankly he is lucky to get whatever he is with Sam up front this time. VHIII is the primary reason Ed lost their record deal with Warner Bros., see. From what I'm seeing this tour does not look to being moving tickets at all that much of a clip above that total failure. That is not pro-Dave talk, that is just plain shocking from a business standpoint. Plus, the tour hasn't even started... judging my the practice gig reviews, Ed's appearance, etc.... it looks bleak as can be.

As is, I can guarantee you they won't get another chance. Because, this tour is already considered a failure at this point by CCC, the promoter. Up front sales tell the tale very early in this game. Not another chance that is, unless Ed cleans up his act, proves himself, and Dave is on board to push ticket sales for the real renuion the public really wants to shell out $85 bucks a ticket to see.

[dysfunction]

Originally posted by RogueHorseman
As is, I can guarantee you they won't get another chance. Because, this tour is already considered a failure at this point by CCC, the promoter.

Is that why they are 6th on the Pollstar Top 50, because the tour is a failure. Another thing, and this is not just aimed at you, how in the fuck can you Roth fags call the fuckin tour a failure before the fuckin tour even starts. Of course you guys said It's About Time sucked before you even heard it so what should I expect?

[RogueHorseman]

Originally posted by dysfunction
Is that why they are 6th on the Pollstar Top 50, because the tour is a failure. Another thing, and this is not just aimed at you, how in the fuck can you Roth fags call the fuckin tour a failure before the fuckin tour even starts. Of course you guys said It's About Time sucked before you even heard it so what should I expect?

I never judged the new songs before hearing them.

From what I'm seeing this tour does not look to be moving tickets at all that much of a clip above the VHIII failure. That is not pro-Dave talk, that is just plain shocking from a business standpoint. Pollstar means next to nothing... You can get prime floor seats in Hershey, PA for THIS Sunday night and Greensboro has been papered (free tix given away to promote awareness) to hell and back the last two weeks for cryin' out loud.... Plus, the tour hasn't even started... judging by the practice gig reviews, Ed's appearance, the new songs, etc.... it looks about as bleak as can be. The same would apply were this the case with Dave up front. Business is business, no matter what my, your, or anyone elses personal tastes may be.

Again.... As is, I can guarantee you they won't get another chance on this scale. Because, this tour is already considered a failure at this point by CCC, the promoter. They are just trying like hell to NOT lose as much as they look destined to on this tour. (serves them right using DLR tunes on the ads attempting to put one over on the unsuspecting public). Up front sales tell the tale very early in this game. I'm talking FIRST day/week sales.

Only Dave could save the day at this point. Mark my words.

[Panamark]

Originally posted by dysfunction
Is that why they are 6th on the Pollstar Top 50, because the tour is a failure. Another thing, and this is not just aimed at you, how in the fuck can you Roth fags call the fuckin tour a failure before the fuckin tour even starts. Of course you guys said It's About Time sucked before you even heard it so what should I expect?

Dude the first show is due in what, 48 hours? Its still only half full.
Then the tour is declared started.
Then can we start labelling it a failure ? Will you agree to that then ?

By the way, How many sold out shows are there now ?? Hey ??

[Panamark]

I didnt claim Its about Time sucked before I heard it. I had a good idea that it would, considering Sammy's past vocal and lyrical efforts. But I did reserve judgement until after I heard it. Yes it sucks. I think Learn to See is the best out of this bad batch of thrown together money grubbers.(Which will not make any money at all, IAT is already falling off the charts after what, less than a week ?)

[gslinger]

Originally posted by lms
gslinger, I read a few of your posts about CCC and their tactics from several weeks ago. Then a few days ago I believe on the EVH can't play thread, I made a post to the effect that the new fantasy replacing the Dave is gonna be a surprise and save the tour fantasy is that Ed is just purposely fucking this tour off in retaliation to CCC and that the guy can still play just like always. You denied that possiblity. Do you still really think that Ed would give his best to CCC? Do you honestly believe it is over for EVH? Is it your opinion that these three songs are "for real" and the best that Ed can do? I am interested and place a lot of weight on your honest opinion. So don't be messin with my head on this one.

I am still waiting for the gossip re Dave's Southampton New York party you were promissing last thursday or friday. Or did I miss it.

-----------------
>>>ED & CCC

Unfortunately, Eddie has turned into a total head-case that craps on everyone around him. It’s a normal progression for hardcore psychosomatic addicts like Ed. That said, if he thinks he is going to screw CCC, the clown will never work again in the National or Regional Touring market because CCC quasi-monopolizes the concert promotion business and will permanently blacklist him. Your name is only as good as you can make the promoters money in this business, I don’t care if you are the Father Almighty.

If you don’t believe me just ask Ozzy after he & Sharon stiffed CCC on the 2001 Merry Mayhem headline Tour. They blacklisted Ozzy and it’s the reason the damn guy had to find another stick, i.e. the Reality Show idea of Sharon’s. Funny how it ended up working and making them good money,…..Show put both their kids in drug rehab, …...but what the hell, it is rock & rollllll! You would be shocked, as VH will be, in the number of great entertainers/band today that CCC and other promoters will not single/headline promote for various reasons.

>>>Is it your opinion that these three songs are "for real" and the best that Ed can do?

Yes it is.

Ed stated publically he and Alex had been writing for years and Ed had enough material for 10 new albums. From this “years of writing” we get the 3 new song gems! Bottom line, without Ed going into rehab for a minimum of 6 months, and then going on some type of permanent 12 step program and getting his life straightened out, the man is history – End of Story. Look, even if you are a great musician, got your life in order, got tons of great material, etc. it is still bloody hell to get a quality album put out through the major labels these days because they have become watered down commercial whores to the young and musically stupid.

I guarantee we are going to hear Ed – “Mr. blame everyone other than himself for this Tour’s & new songs failure”, blame WMG for VH’s Tri-Track release being a pile of dung. Did WMG make VH rework the tracks 1-2 times because they weren’t commercial enough. Yes they did. But every band has this problem with the majors and they don’t turn out total crap like VH’s 3 new songs. So where’s the real problem here?

>>>Do you honestly believe it is over for EVH?

Only Ed & God knows.

IMO, without serious rehab, at this point he’s finished. However, as I stated before, elite musician are like elite athletes, and can do totally amazing things. So let Ed get on the road, hopefully absorb that millions of people still really care about the guy, get 6-8 shows under his belt, and then IMO an assessment of Ed become quite perfunctory.

>>>Can if happen – Dave Fronting this Tour

Yes it can.

I have said several times on this forum, CCC/WMG can make it happen and Yes Roth will do it if they ask under “reasonable terms” and No, Ed/Alex/Spammy/Michael can’t do squat to stop it if they every wish to work again. CCC/WMG can pay Roth a cool million plus performance residuals to come in and save this Tour from losing $10-15 million, - Everybody wins.

Unfortunately, the details are a ton more complicated than the aforementioned statement and there lays the problems. Further, the music business is EXTREMELY complicated and one of the most complicated legal specializations out their.

My understanding is Eddie said he would play with Dave again but who knows with that guy. Alex has always been the problem here for “personal reasons”. IMO, screw Alex, plenty of great drummers available, cannot replace EVH obviously. Will it happen, there’s no way to tell at this juncture, but obviously everything is sure more favorable at present.

GS: - The other thing I have greatly noticed, is not a peep from Roth on this whole deal!

I don’t have a source for this statement, (I can get one however) but I would bet any amount of money there has been preliminary communication from CCC to Roth re fronting this Tour on an emergency basis. With Dave’s ego and mouth, does it strike anyone as more than a little strange we haven’t heard a peep out of Dave on this whole Tour subject.

The guy shows up at the Southampton high roller affair over Memorial weekend and you know that this VH Reunion gig had to be the number one question out of people’s mouth when they met Dave. Then Dave is in more pictures from that event than anyone their, yet in due respect he’s peanuts compared to many of those people in attendance. The event is heavily covered by reporters, yet again not one peep or reported comment from Dave on this subject.

None of this adds up. I again would bet a substantial paycheck, that “someone” has told Diamond to keep his mouth ziplocked on this deal and not “dirty the market/VH fanbase” by any negative comments, in the event CCC/WMG has him step in and front this Tour.

-----------------

>>>I am still waiting for the gossip re Dave's Southampton New York party you were promissing last thursday or friday

It’s cumming – It’s kinda like my pants, It’s hard to fit it all in–DLR . I have 2 other major new threads I have to finish/post, then I will finish/post the Southampton surprise.

Until then, my post here tips you off on my Dave’s Southampton Experience – Part II post, you will not want to miss!

http://www.rotharmy.com/forums/showt...8717#post98717

[gslinger]

On the weekend of June 11-13, Van Halen will debut all three new songs from their forthcoming 36-song two-disc compilation "The Best Of Both Worlds" on the Westwood one radio special "Van Halen - 2004 Tour Special and World Premiere!" The one-hour special will also include the band's first radio interview in more than eight years!

"The Best Of Both Worlds" will be released July 20, 2004 (USA) and July 19 (Overseas) on Warner Bros. Records.
Station List:
WAXQ - New York, NY WTBT - Tampa, FL
KLOS - Los Angeles, CA KRFX - Denver/Boulder, CO
WLUP - Chicago, IL WDVE - Pittsburgh, PA
KSAN - San Francisco, CA KUFO - Portland, OR
KEGL - Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX WMMS - Cleveland, OH
KZPS - Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX WOFX - Cincinnati, OH
WMMR - Philadelphia, PA KSEG - Sacramento, CA
KLOL - Houston, TX KCAL - Riverside, CA
KKRW - Houston, TX KYYS - Kansas City, MO/KS
WARW - Washington, DC KUFX - San Jose, CA
WZLX - Boston, MA KZEP - San Antonio, TX
WRIF - Detroit, MI KURR - Salt Lake City, UT
WZGC - Atlanta, GA KBER - Salt Lake City, UT
WBGG - Miami, FL WLZR - Milwaukee, WI
KDKB - Phoenix, AZ WHJY - Providence, RI
KQRS - Minneapolis, MN WLVQ - Columbus, OH
KGB - San Diego, CA WRFX - Charlotte, NC/SC
WBAB - Nassau/Suffolk, NY WHTQ - Orlando, FL
WIYY - Baltimore, MD KKLZ - Las Vegas, NV
KSHE - St. Louis, MO WAFX - Norfolk, VA
WFBQ - Indianapolis, IN KFRQ - McAllen-Brownsville, TX
KLBJ - Austin, TX WRCZ - Albany, NY
WKRR - Greensboro, NC KMOD - Tulsa, OK
WRNO - New Orleans, LA WKLQ - Grand Rapids, MI
WNRQ - Nashville, TN WLAV - Grand Rapids, MI
WRDU - Raleigh-Durham, NC WRQC - Ft. Myers, FL
WBBB - Raleigh-Durham, NC KSEG - Fresno, CA
WKGR - West Palm Beach, FL KRZR - Fresno, CA
WSRR - Memphis, TN WEZX - Wilkes Barre, PA
WCCC - Hartford, CT WZZO - Allentown, PA
WFYV - Jacksonville, FL KZRR - Albuquerque, NM
WGRF - Buffalo, NY WIMZ - Knoxville, TN
WBUF - Buffalo, NY KEZO - Omaha, NE/IA
KATT - Oklahoma City, OK KKCD - Omaha, NE/IA
WCMF - Rochester, NY KHIP - Monterey/Salinas, CA
WQMF - Louisville, KY WRDX - Wilmington, DE
WKLR - Richmond, VA XEPR - El Paso, TX
WZRR - Birmingham, AL WTPA - Harrisburg, PA
WTUE - Dayton, OH WTKW - Syracuse, NY
KPOI - Honolulu, HI WZLX - Springfield, MA
WXKR - Toledo, OH WWFX - Worcester, MA
KOOJ - Baton Rouge, LA KPAW - Ft. Collins, CO
WSFL - Greenville, NC KKQZ - Ft. Collins, CO
KILO - Colorado Springs, CO
WNCD - Youngstown, OH

--------------------
Edward Van Halen, always imitated, never duplicated
Webmaster of following sites

https://www.VHStrungout.com

https://www.VanHalenRadio.com

[gslinger]

WESTWOOD ONE - http://www.westwoodone.com/

PRESENTS
VAN HALEN - 2004 TOUR SPECIAL AND WORLD PREMIERE

New York, NY – June 3, 2004 – Westwood One (NYSE: WON) presents “Van Halen – 2004 Tour Special and World Premiere”, airing on the weekend of June 11-13, 2004. The one-hour special marks the legendary band’s first radio interview in more than eight years. The special includes an exclusive interview with Eddie, Alex, Michael and Sammy discussing their upcoming tour and the new album, “The Best of Both Worlds.”

“Van Halen – 2004 Tour Special and World Premiere” on the Westwood One Network will air on more than 120 stations nationwide in top US markets including WAXQ-FM, New York; KLOS-FM, Los Angeles; KCBS-FM, Los Angeles; WLUP-FM, Chicago; WZLX-FM, Boston; WARW-FM, Washington D.C.; WRIF-FM, Detroit; KZPS-FM, Dallas; WZGC-FM, Atlanta and many more.

The upcoming tour marks the return of Sammy Hagar who fronted the band from 1985 to 1996. In addition, the special will showcase three new Van Halen tracks included in the upcoming 36-song, two-disc Van Halen – “The Best of Both Worlds.”

For more affiliate information please contact:
Roy Dvorkin
Westwood One
212.641.2040
###

Press Contact:
Peter Sessa
Westwood One
212.641.2053
peter_sessa@westwoodone.com
gslinger has attached this image:

[gslinger]

For people interested, here is the original thread, before we move key comments here. There's some very good posts in it and it will keep me from having to repeat myself. Thanks..gs


VH #3 Pollstar ranking is a CCC Scam!

http://www.rotharmy.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5962&perpage=5&pagenumber=1

[gslinger]

Gee Ed this really helps ticket sales when you make racial slurs like this in this press, f--king drunk!


HOLLYWOOD (Reuters)
Notable Quotes
Wed Jun 9, 2004 07:35 PM ET

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyID=5381422

They really said it -- notable quotes from the news:

<center>[size=3]"I'm back, I'm black and I'm chasing young white meat!"

red Van Halen guitarist EDDIE VAN HALEN, newly single and back on the road with his band, in Guitar World magazine.</center>

- - - -

"It takes too much energy to be a bad girl. There's definitely a part of me that would love to be not completely sensible, responsible, ethical, moral and driven. Just for one day I'd like to go out and do stupid, crazy things and not care whether it were safe or not. But I couldn't. It's just not me."

--Actress JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT in the New York Daily News.

© Reuters 2004. All Rights Reserved.


---------------
Pic courtesy of Wooda

[gslinger]

Good read article!

June 8, 2004
------------------------
MADONNA, PRINCE SIZZLE, BUT MOST SUMMER TOURS FIZZLE

High Ticket Prices, Lack of Compelling Headliners, Sales Too Far in Advance, Deteriorating Venues Cited as Reasons

With the exception of sold-out tours by Madonna and Prince, along with a handful of others, this summer’s touring season is turning out to be a disappointment, according to a survey of promoters around the country. William Morris’ Peter Grosslight said, "It seems like over the last three weeks or so, ticket sales have just dropped dead across the board—affecting all genres and all ticket prices. It’s strange. There’s not any one thing you can point to. I’m mystified. Hopefully, this is just a blip on the radar, and it will sort itself out."

A variety of reasons was given for the downturn by promoters, including exorbitantly priced tickets and rising costs, a plethora of alternative entertainment choices, sheds not keeping up with the times in terms of modernizing their facilities and papering the house with free seats. Clear Channel’s domination of the concert promotion business and raising artist guarantees is also negatively affecting the marketplace, according to observers.

"It’s not just the ticket price," adds Grosslight. "Add in $20 for parking, concessions, etc., and you have a pretty expensive evening. People are being very particular in choosing which concert to attend."

After Madonna and Prince, the next most successful tours are Sting/Annie Lennox and The Dave Matthews Band. Country artists like Alan Jackson/Martina McBride, Shania Twain and Kenny Chesney also look unaffected by the downturn.

Double-headliner shows, such as No Doubt/Blink-182, are doing well, though Blink-182 on its own is lagging.
Andy Hewitt books the Hollywood Bowl, a venue many say is the finest in the country. He insists he’s having his biggest year ever, with healthy advance sales for Simon & Garfunkel, Rush, Eric Clapton and Sting/Lennox, among others: "You can’t take New York, L.A. and Las Vegas ticket prices and spread them across the country. And you need fresh acts that don’t go out year after year."

Among those tours doing less well to bombing are Fleetwood Mac, Jessica Simpson, Norah Jones, Gloria Estefan and the American Idol tour. Ticket sales for veterans Aerosmith and Clapton, as well as the Linkin Park/Korn/Snoop Dogg jaunt are disappointing in a few markets. Sales for Van Halen, which started out strong after its tour annoncement, have dropped dramatically since that date. Major markets however are still holding fairly well, and remain a bright spot. The second leg of the Simon & Garfunkel tour, now hitting second-tier cities after having played New York, L.A., Chicago and other major markets, is having a difficult time selling what, in some venues, is a $500 top ticket
.
As for the multi-group shows, Warped, with its average low $25 ticket, is doing better than either Ozzfest or the two-day Lollapalooza. Grosslight insists the firm’s not disappointed with Lollapalooza, headlined by Morrissey, because of "lowered expectations" for the two-day event.

"There isn’t such a thing as a slam-dunk today, if you make mistakes like putting an act in the wrong venue," concludes Grosslight.

One prominent agent called it the perfect storm of several factors working at once. "There is no magic cure," he says. "It’s everything from gas prices, a bad economy, deteriorating venue facilities, rising concession prices to tickets which are too expensive going on sale too far in advance and competition from casinos, radio shows and fairs to book talent. Kids today have many other entertainment options and interests. Stir that whole pot together, and it’s no surprise we’re in the situation we’re in now."

Among the suggestions for improvement is to stop shoving all the touring into the summer season, but to spread it all year round. "How many $300 concert tickets can the average fan attend over three months?" That question will be answered soon enough for beleaguered agents and promoters. "What can fix it are must-see events," says one prominent promoter. "Madonna’s an event. Coachella’s an event. But those are few and far between."

Concluded Hewitt: "There are still lots of bright spots. There always are. You just don’t want to give people the same old shit all the time. Know what I mean!

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: I’m not independent with respect to this article..gs
-------------------------------------------------------------------

[tobinentinc]

That is the reason KISS's tours do so well, they play old stuff, just like they did in the 70's.

[gslinger]

Originally posted by tobinentinc
That is the reason KISS's tours do so well, they play old stuff, just like they did in the 70's.

You're exactly right! Another example, look at AC/DC, doing the same 3 chord riff music since their Back in Black 1980 album, and still can fill major venues with no problem.

Results - AC/DC has sold over 20 million albums more than Van Halen and their big comeback 2000 Stiff Upper Lip Tour was a huge success.

Of interest, CCC promoted AC/DC's 2000 Tour, and the timing/logistics is almost identical to the timing of this CCC promoted Van Halen Tour - only 4 years later. That however is the only comparison between these 2 Tours. AC/DC did everything perfect in promoting and delivering on their Tour, while Van Halen has done everything TOTALLY wrong with this total disaster.

Hell, CCC pulled out AC/DC's old 2000 Tour strategic and logic’s plan for this 2004 Van Halen Tour. It's not like CCC didn't know what to do, and how to promote a concert of this type, where everyone wins and the fans get their money’s worth.

Bottom line, Eddie and Alex totally screwed this Tour up MAJOR. If CCC/WMG takes a loss on this Tour (and it looks like they could lose $13-$19 million based on current data) the two dutch clowns are history and will never work again.

Thanks for your post!!!!!!!!

[gslinger]

Here's a couple of pics from the AC/DC shows I attended in 2000.

[gslinger]

1