Greedy Uncle Neil

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Comments

  • I think you're using a very different set of criteria than... well almost everyone.

    What in your definition (Billy) makes someone a "rock god"? Album sales? Innovation in the field? Is it basically if you personally dig their music? Like can some local dude that plays at bars be a rock god to you because you love everything he's written?
    "Money is no object," I said, "but I am on a budget."
  • DewieCoxDewieCox Posts: 11,430
    So I guess you just decide the meaning of a word then?

    Tell me who meets the same criteria that Neil Young does and isn't a god?
  • mookeywrenchmookeywrench Posts: 5,953

    I paid $200 to see Pearl Jam at Benaroya Hall, when I was making $8.00 an hour. I'M RICH!!!!

    im not sure i'd call you rich, but, ummmm rather...

    $200 to see ANY rock band is just f'n crazy imo

    I don't see why it's crazy. If it's expendable income, do whatever you want with it.
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  • him being or not being a rock god is irrelevant to the original point that I made. Rock god or not, he's not worth $250 a seat. Nobody is, in my opinion. That was it.
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • DewieCox wrote:
    So I guess you just decide the meaning of a word then?

    Tell me who meets the same criteria that Neil Young does and isn't a god?

    no, I don't, and neither do you. do you think Jimmy Page is a god? Many people regard him as such, but there's also a very large community that think he was a sloppy guitar player. So, I can respect the opinion of both and say "it's debateable".
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • Backstop-440Backstop-440 Posts: 93
    edited June 2010
    him being or not being a rock god is irrelevant to the original point that I made. Rock god or not, he's not worth $250 a seat. Nobody is, in my opinion. That was it.
    It obviously is to a lot of people, in their opinion. *shrug*

    He's going to charge what people will pay. Either that or he just lets "his people" handle it and they did the math and came up with these prices. Man might have a boat to pay off of something.

    Shoot, look at some of the VIP packages for big arena shows. You can spend $700 on a seat, a brunch with the band, and a gift bag for Roger Waters this summer. Bon Jovi has a $500+ VIP seat thing going on as well. You can say well they are greedy or you can say hey they are giving their biggest fans a chance to actually hang out backstage.
    Post edited by Backstop-440 on
    "Money is no object," I said, "but I am on a budget."
  • mookeywrenchmookeywrench Posts: 5,953
    Moral of this thread:

    Opinions; Whether its concert ticket prices or rock gods, they're all relative.....unless you disagree
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  • him being or not being a rock god is irrelevant to the original point that I made. Rock god or not, he's not worth $250 a seat. Nobody is, in my opinion. That was it.
    It obviously is to a lot of people, in their opinion. *shrug*

    He's going to charge what people will pay. Either that or he just lets "his people" handle it and they did the math and came up with these prices. Man might have a boat to pay off of something.

    Shoot, look at some of the VIP packages for big arena shows. You can spend $700 on a seat, a brunch with the band, and a gift bag for Roger Waters this summer. Bon Jovi has a $500+ VIP seat thing going on as well. You can say well they are greedy or you can say hey they are giving their biggest fans a chance to actually hang out backstage.

    generally I don't care what bands charge. that's their business. it just struck me as strange as I just felt like Neil put himself in a different category, almost "above" the bands you mentioned, as not doing that sort of thing, pandering to the more fortunate. that was all.

    like I said, it obviously just isn't worth it to me, but it obviously is and will be to a lot of people. more power to them. a lot of people think I'm crazy for shelling out $100 for PJ, $80 for Tool, spending ANY money to see Juliette Lewis (LOL) etc. And that's their opinion.
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • DewieCoxDewieCox Posts: 11,430
    DewieCox wrote:
    So I guess you just decide the meaning of a word then?

    Tell me who meets the same criteria that Neil Young does and isn't a god?

    no, I don't, and neither do you. do you think Jimmy Page is a god? Many people regard him as such, but there's also a very large community that think he was a sloppy guitar player. So, I can respect the opinion of both and say "it's debateable".

    Yes he's a sloppy guitar player, but Jimmy Page is a god. Both facts.

    There's alotta different religions and one doesn't necessarily believe in another.
  • DewieCox wrote:
    DewieCox wrote:
    So I guess you just decide the meaning of a word then?

    Tell me who meets the same criteria that Neil Young does and isn't a god?

    no, I don't, and neither do you. do you think Jimmy Page is a god? Many people regard him as such, but there's also a very large community that think he was a sloppy guitar player. So, I can respect the opinion of both and say "it's debateable".

    Yes he's a sloppy guitar player, but Jimmy Page is a god. Both facts.

    There's alotta different religions and one doesn't necessarily believe in another.

    I'm pretty sure we'll never agree on your definition of "fact" not differentiating from opinion.
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • An opinion is: "Jimmy Page is the best guitar player, and I love all his music."

    A fact is: "Jimmy Page has sold a shit ton of records, he's listed as a major influence of many other guitarists, and his presence on the band roster gives any band instant credibility AND marketability."

    "Rock God" is shorthand for that second thing.
    "Money is no object," I said, "but I am on a budget."
  • An opinion is: "Jimmy Page is the best guitar player, and I love all his music."

    A fact is: "Jimmy Page has sold a shit ton of records, he's listed as a major influence of many other guitarists, and his presence on the band roster gives any band instant credibility AND marketability."

    "Rock God" is shorthand for that second thing.

    I could name 100 artists that fit into that same category. I guess your title of "rock god" isn't all that selective.
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • pedalbreakpedalbreak Posts: 138
    I love the shit out of Neil and seeing him at CCH is going to be amazing. Saw The Tragically Hip play four shows there last September. The Venue is awesome and very intimate, and if you don't want to pay the price, then don't fucking pay the the price. simple as that.
  • DewieCoxDewieCox Posts: 11,430
    "Rock God" is shorthand for that second thing.

    I could name 100 artists that fit into that same category. [/quote]

    100 rock musicians as influential as Jimmy fuckin Page? You're off your head. There's maybe 15.
  • red mosred mos Posts: 4,953
    yeah, the prices are expensive, but 70 bucks is not that bad. When you have to buy more than a single ticket, yeah it gets pricey. I paid 66 bucks for mine and the show in Houston was well worth it. Got to say Hi to Neil before the show on the way back to the bus. Elliot told us no pics or autographs. I really like the small venue vibe. the Acoustics in Jones hall are incredible.

    I agree that shows are expensive and it really sucks, but I will continue to pay the 60 with service fees included, until that day dissapears. Sadly, I think those tix will slowly increase in the coming years.

    I know people are going to dissagree (inflation, families, food) BUT if we quit paying these high dollar prices they will go down. The consumers (all us attendees) have control over the music industry and how much we are willing to spend. People keep paying for 250+ so that is what the promoters are seeing as market value for popular/ legendary artists. If people quit paying this per ticket it has to go down. What other choice would the artists have if people don't buy tix? There are still tons of decent bands that play for 35.00 total (fees included ) saw 4 shows last year where each ticket was 35-40 a piece.
    My friend wants to see the Eagles real bad, and we are not getting to go because we personally just can't shell out 85 a ticket. It really sucks. I think my concert days for big name acts is going to be few and far between. :(
    PJ: 10/14/00 06/09/03 10/4/09 11/15/13 11/16/13 10/08/14
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  • ComeToTXComeToTX Austin Posts: 7,908
    it isn't like he does this every year either. it's the first solo tour since '99. may be the last for all we know. there are plenty of people i would pay to see in that setting. i make a good living but i'm not rich. music is very important to me...it's my hobby and i'll pay a good amount to see shows like this because it's more fun than spending 100 bucks getting hammered at a bar.

    to each their own but the 100 more influential than page comment is crazy and i'm not even a big zep guy.
    This show, another show, a show here and a show there.
  • 12345AGNST112345AGNST1 Posts: 4,906
    Smaller venues= higher prices
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  • intodeepintodeep Posts: 7,240
    I'm a big fan so i paid the cheapest price (93 bucks in atlanta after all fees) and I don't regret it.

    He is playing hitchhiker on this tour. Any long time neil fan will tell you that is worth the price alone.

    that said i do wish tickets were a bit less expensive or he played longer sets.
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  • PJGARDENPJGARDEN Posts: 1,484
    I don't understand all the complaining about the ticket prices? Do you think if PJ did a small venue tour like this they would charge the same they are charging now playing 20K venues? You pay a premium to see someone in a smaller setting. The lower end tickets for most of these shows are fairly reasonable. If you went to a stadium show, got tickets within a similar distance from the stage, you would pay a fortune unless somehow you managed to hit the Ticketmaster lottery.

    I acutally like the idea of paying a little more to see someone at a small venue. Maybe I'm getting old but I just prefer the small venues to the huge crowds and don't mind paying a little more for that setting.
  • mikalinamikalina Posts: 7,206
    I happen to think Neil Young is worth every penny. He is getting up there in age and who knows how many more times he can do a concert. Plus, I love small venues and less people and Higher ticket prices. It just means that the people who are there, really want to see him and listen to his music. :D
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  • DewieCox wrote:

    100 rock musicians as influential as Jimmy fuckin Page? You're off your head. There's maybe 15.

    that's a lotta gods. your sundays must be really busy.
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • PJGARDEN wrote:
    I don't understand all the complaining about the ticket prices? Do you think if PJ did a small venue tour like this they would charge the same they are charging now playing 20K venues? You pay a premium to see someone in a smaller setting. The lower end tickets for most of these shows are fairly reasonable. If you went to a stadium show, got tickets within a similar distance from the stage, you would pay a fortune unless somehow you managed to hit the Ticketmaster lottery.

    I acutally like the idea of paying a little more to see someone at a small venue. Maybe I'm getting old but I just prefer the small venues to the huge crowds and don't mind paying a little more for that setting.

    I agree, I also like the idea of paying A LITTLE MORE to see someone at a small venue. To me, $250 is not a little more. To me that's not an acceptable premium. I just think that's a bit high for any artist, but especially him, since he's always portrayed himself as a working class musician. That was all. It's all about perception. Would I say it's outrageous to see Elton John for that price? Absolutely not, because you have to expect a guy like that will charge those prices. Those prices are for pop artists.

    And it's a bitch getting the cheapest seats. In my experience, those sell out the fastest to these uber-expensive shows. They have maybe 5% of the venue at that price, just to get people jazzed about it, and then those people end up paying more in the end because those sell out in a nano second.

    I'll say again, if I really cared about NY that much, I'd pay it. These prices are not for the casual fan. I seriously doubt I'd pay $250 for PJ at the same venue. That's just a lot of money to me is all. I might pay that price for something of a once-in-a-lifetime sort of deal, as I said about Pink Floyd, or maybe Zep with Jason Bonham (or Matt Cameron!), but not someone I've seen before or can see again.

    Again, like someone said, I guess he's just charging market share, and that's fair, I just didn't think it was mandatory! ;)
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • SawyerSawyer Posts: 2,411
    glad my dad's a fan....i will be in Milwaukee and I will be in the first few rows
  • DewieCoxDewieCox Posts: 11,430
    DewieCox wrote:

    100 rock musicians as influential as Jimmy fuckin Page? You're off your head. There's maybe 15.

    that's a lotta gods. your sundays must be really busy.

    Sundays? What's that have to do with it?

    There are very few rock gods, relative to the number that have tried to become them.
  • DewieCox wrote:
    DewieCox wrote:

    100 rock musicians as influential as Jimmy fuckin Page? You're off your head. There's maybe 15.

    that's a lotta gods. your sundays must be really busy.

    Sundays? What's that have to do with it?

    There are very few rock gods, relative to the number that have tried to become them.

    it was a joke dewie. you know, sunday being the sabbath and all. sheesh. you try to lighten up a conversation! :)
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • pedalbreakpedalbreak Posts: 138
    Wow Neil added a second Winnipeg show! He must be sooo greedy :roll:
  • Pearl Jam_iePearl Jam_ie Posts: 821
    Might be pricey, but it doesn't seem to deter people from going. Just bought 2 tix for the Milwaukee show pre-sale, and the highest pricepoint ($195) was almost sold-out already! I opted for the "cheap seats" ($95) and got a pair in the first row of that pricepoint which puts us about 10 rows from the top of the balcony. Oh well, it's a small place and from what I read, it sounds like Uncle Neil is still delivering the goods so I just wanted to be in the building. Between this and The Black Crowes acoustic/electric farewell, I'm pumped, to say the least, about going to The Riverside this summer!
    "In certain trying circumstances...profanity furnishes a relief denied even to prayer." - Mark Twain
  • Jearlpam0925Jearlpam0925 Deep South Philly Posts: 17,276
    I sat 2nd row - literally 10 feet away from Neil - at Radio City for his tour in '04 I believe? Tix were $150 a piece.
  • CosmoCosmo Posts: 12,225
    Neil Young has been making music for what... 40+ years now. He should be able to price his tickets accordingly. If no one goes.. then, yeah, he's over priced his gig. If it sell well, then he may be asking a little too much.
    And compared to others of his age range and career... McCartney, The (remaining members of the) Who, Roger Waters, etc... ticket pricing is comparable.
    and I know this is going to sound kinda shitty... but, it's no one's fault you were born too late for Neil. I had seen him a bunch of times from 1972-1992 and it wasn't so expensive. Tougher to get tickets, yeah, but reasonably priced.
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  • Cosmo wrote:
    Neil Young has been making music for what... 40+ years now. He should be able to price his tickets accordingly. If no one goes.. then, yeah, he's over priced his gig. If it sell well, then he may be asking a little too much.
    And compared to others of his age range and career... McCartney, The (remaining members of the) Who, Roger Waters, etc... ticket pricing is comparable.
    and I know this is going to sound kinda shitty... but, it's no one's fault you were born too late for Neil. I had seen him a bunch of times from 1972-1992 and it wasn't so expensive. Tougher to get tickets, yeah, but reasonably priced.

    all valid points, however, my main point is that this is Neil Young doing this, not those others. I held him to a higher standard that I should have. But again, after the CSNY show, I wasn't going to go regardless of the price, I just thought it was shitty.

    And who said anything about being annoyed about being born too late for Neil??
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
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