# He's Rich enough to book Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers for your wedding. Who would u hire? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 4, 2012, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-rich-enough-to-book-tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-for-your-wedding-who-would-u-hire/630439 "2012-08-04T17:42:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![oreally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7ab992/32.png) [@oreally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oreally)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-rich-enough-to-book-tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-for-your-wedding-who-would-u-hire/630439/21 "2012-08-05T16:11:59Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > [Beyonce, Carey distance themselves from Gaddafi | Reuters](http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/03/us-beyonce-gaddafi-idUSTRE72243Q20110303) To be fair, they were hired by others who the performers didn’t know had those links to the dictator (I’d rather assume they were just stupid vs willingly doing so, which isn’t exactly a stretch). Hardly the same as “hired by Qaddafi.” Not that they’re worth listening to anyway, but… ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-rich-enough-to-book-tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-for-your-wedding-who-would-u-hire/630439/22 "2012-08-05T16:19:06Z")
Since it was mentioned in the OP, I’d go with Tom Petty. I’ve seen him something like 9 or 10 times and would jump at the chance to seem him again. He just hasn’t been in the area in the last few years. > [@gaffa](#): > > I know several people who book bands, and honestly, a lot of people who aren’t playing arenas are surprisingly cheap. I know one person who hired Todd Rundgren to play his back yard for $5000. A FOAF does all the entertainment for one of the big arenas in Milwaukee and commented that a few years back they had REO Speedwagon come and play after a hockey game. He was surprised that they did it for $3000 and tickets to the game (and they only live an 90 minutes away). He said for that price he’d consider booking them for a birthday party. I’d imagine they’d charge more to play for 50 people in a backyard, but still, it’s not like it was $30,000. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-rich-enough-to-book-tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-for-your-wedding-who-would-u-hire/630439/23 "2012-08-05T16:25:42Z")
Pink Floyd ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-rich-enough-to-book-tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-for-your-wedding-who-would-u-hire/630439/24 "2012-08-05T16:36:37Z")
Well, once Gay Marriage is legal here, and I had the bucks, I would surprise SO and have Ms. Streisand sing a few songs. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-rich-enough-to-book-tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-for-your-wedding-who-would-u-hire/630439/25 "2012-08-05T17:15:30Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > I’d like to book Rockpile for my next social engagment, and I want them to open with _Seven Nights To Rock_. > [@Sigmagirl](#): > > There you go. When Rockpile’s done at your gig, they can come do mine, and they have to play “Heart.” Also mandatory: “I Knew the Bride (When She Used To Rock and Roll)”. For my birthday The SDMB folks can pitch in and hire Elvis Costello to perform. Seeing him do “What’s So Funny (about Peace, Love & Understanding)” up close and personal would be awesome. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-rich-enough-to-book-tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-for-your-wedding-who-would-u-hire/630439/26 "2012-08-05T17:23:34Z")
Tom Waits. seriously how the hell else are you supposed to see that guy live? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-rich-enough-to-book-tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-for-your-wedding-who-would-u-hire/630439/27 "2012-08-05T17:53:00Z")
> [@oreally](#): > > To be fair, they were hired by others who the performers didn’t know had those links to the dictator (I’d rather assume they were just stupid vs willingly doing so, which isn’t exactly a stretch). Hardly the same as “hired by Qaddafi.” From what I know, they were hired by the family. [See here.](http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/115978/20110224/gaddafi-mariah-carey-usher-beyonce-parites-st-barts-money.htm) It’s kind of hard for me to believe they didn’t know they were performing for Qaddafi’s sons. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-rich-enough-to-book-tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-for-your-wedding-who-would-u-hire/630439/28 "2012-08-05T17:55:41Z")
The remaining members of The Dead? But seriously, any famous band or singer would detract from the party. A good local band or a DJ. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2012, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-rich-enough-to-book-tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-for-your-wedding-who-would-u-hire/630439/29 "2012-08-05T20:13:40Z")
> [@oreally](#): > > I saw him do this at a benefit some years back for charity. Excellent call. Guy remains quite underrated. > > Frankly for as much as it’d cost I wouldn’t do it, esp when I think of all the good I could do with that money vs pissing it away on something so incredibly selfish. I’ve heard that Bruce is a really nice guy - didn’t he let a kid play on stage with him for Make A Wish? Is paying a good artist a lot of money really so selfish? ---
**Author:** ![oreally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7ab992/32.png) [@oreally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oreally)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-rich-enough-to-book-tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-for-your-wedding-who-would-u-hire/630439/30 "2012-08-06T16:39:49Z")
How could I forget? Jimmy Buffett. A smaller venue is THE way to see him IMO, not some blacktopped, steel n concrete amphitheater. Actually I always envisioned seeing him at some beachside tiki bar or some such. Moot though as he’d be too expensive. ---
**Author:** ![psiekier](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psiekier/32/116_2.png) [@psiekier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psiekier)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-rich-enough-to-book-tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-for-your-wedding-who-would-u-hire/630439/31 "2012-08-06T19:05:22Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Guy got scammed the first attempt. He still was wealthy enough to book the band for his wedding. :eek: > > I’ve heard of this before. People hiring tennis or golf pros to spend the weekend playing sports. I’d hire some of the pro billiard players if I was rich. 😃 Love playing 9 ball and I rarely find anyone good enough to challenge me. > > Music??? I’d drop a quarter million in a heartbeat to get Joan Jett playing at my party. Emmylou Harris? Half a million and I get a kiss. Just one! 🙂 If, I was rich, I’d go for it. 😃 > > Who would you hire? It’s a no-brainer for me and **Kelliebeans** : [Bowling For Soup](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowling_for_soup) double-billed with [The Dollyrots](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dollyrots). That was the last show she and I went to together, and they usually tour on the same bill anyway. Besides, we backed The Dollyrots’ Kickstarter project. If I don’t get those cookies and a lock of Kelly Ogden’s hair like I was promised, they _owe_ me… ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-rich-enough-to-book-tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-for-your-wedding-who-would-u-hire/630439/32 "2012-08-06T19:28:25Z")
Southern Culture on the Skids ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Woodhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@Miss\_Woodhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Woodhouse)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-rich-enough-to-book-tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-for-your-wedding-who-would-u-hire/630439/33 "2012-08-06T19:50:15Z")
Well my favorite singer is free, but he refused to play for my wedding, something about him being busy being the groom. For a band people have heard of, I’d probably go with Bare Naked Ladies with the stipulation that my husband gets to play with them for a set. My husband would prefer Styx or Boston, and he would also request that he gets to join them on stage. Of course, they would be playing ananniversary party because the wedding was over and done with nearly 20 years ago. Anniversary parties are more fun for that sort of thing anyway. The boring wedding business wouldn’t get in the way of the party. ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-rich-enough-to-book-tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-for-your-wedding-who-would-u-hire/630439/34 "2012-08-06T20:21:08Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > Well, once Gay Marriage is legal here, and I had the bucks, I would surprise SO and have Ms. Streisand sing a few songs. Now there’s an idea! My neighbor (who made millions doing some revolutionary engineering with microchips or some such; it’s way beyond my understanding), should hire Ted Nugent to come and play before the wedding – then watch for Ted’s expression when fiance’ “Ronnie” turns out to be another man… —G!!! 'scuse me While I kiss this guy! . --Jimmy Hendrix (Live) . _Purple Haze_ . [Despite the attribution, Mr. Hendrix is no longer available for bookings.] ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-rich-enough-to-book-tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-for-your-wedding-who-would-u-hire/630439/35 "2012-08-06T20:24:08Z")
Rush. Divorce to follow. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-rich-enough-to-book-tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-for-your-wedding-who-would-u-hire/630439/36 "2012-08-06T20:30:16Z")
> [@Critical1](#): > > Tom Waits. > seriously how the hell else are you supposed to see that guy live? This. I would _love_ to crawl into the corner of some smokey bar and listen to him yack and sing and play and yack and drink and sing and play, but when the hell is that ever gonna happen? And of course, I’d ask for “Better Off Without A Wife”. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-rich-enough-to-book-tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-for-your-wedding-who-would-u-hire/630439/37 "2012-08-06T20:31:25Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Rush. > > Divorce to follow. I’d say Rush, but then I’d NEVER get rid of MrTao! 😛 And a girl’s gotta keep her options open. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-rich-enough-to-book-tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-for-your-wedding-who-would-u-hire/630439/38 "2012-08-06T20:47:29Z")
> [@Taomist](#): > > I’d say Rush, but then I’d NEVER get rid of MrTao! 😛 And a girl’s gotta keep her options open. My girlfriend is going to her first Rush concert with me in October. We’ll see how things work out. I wonder if I should tell her this is a test? ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-rich-enough-to-book-tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-for-your-wedding-who-would-u-hire/630439/39 "2012-08-06T21:00:29Z")
Lol, no no, don’t do that. I _finally_ saw Rush live a couple of months ago with MrTao, and we ended up leaving halfway through. The people around us…and we were in the cheap seats, wayyy up there, pretty steep floor…were standing and dancing, which is great, except MrTao had had foot surgery and could not stand for any length of time. We asked politely, even to just change seats on the aisle so there was a CHANCE of maybe seeing what was going on, and got told to fuck off and stop being old. We’re in our mid-40’s. Not old, but certainly old enough to understand that the FLOOR seats are for dancing, damnit. Which is why we didn’t go there. We just got the DVD on the way out, went home, watched the show that way. 😛 Anyway, she may or may not end up enjoying the experience itself, \ but she may really like the band regardless. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-rich-enough-to-book-tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-for-your-wedding-who-would-u-hire/630439/40 "2012-08-06T21:26:00Z")
[Here Come the Mummies](http://www.herecomethemummies.com/)…one of the best live bands I’ve seen and their R&B/Funk is very danceable…and I think their price would be quite affordable. Will be seeing them in Vegas on Oct. 6. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-rich-enough-to-book-tom-petty-and-the-heartbreakers-for-your-wedding-who-would-u-hire/630439.md?page=1)