# What band/artist would you pay a small fortune to see? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 23, 2007, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791 "2007-07-23T01:23:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791/21 "2007-07-23T07:03:21Z")
[QUOTE=waterj2] Pretty much just Morrissey. I think I might be addicted to doing anything that enriches that guy. And he’s such an enabler, what with releasing quality songs as b-sides on singles (I mean, who does that anymore?). And he seems to bring out obsessiveness in his fans. [/QUOTE] This reminds me that I’d probably pay Ticketmaster fees for a legitimate Smiths reunion. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791/22 "2007-07-23T07:33:49Z")
[QUOTE=VCO3] This reminds me that I’d probably pay Ticketmaster fees for a legitimate Smiths reunion. [/QUOTE] I’d be content with just seeing Morrissey and Johnny Marr together, and I have every belief that it is possible. I’ve heard Morrissey’s real problems are with Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce, but he has no beef with Marr. Frankly, I could live withour Rourke and Joyce, but as much as I love Morrissey and Marr on their own, they’ve never been as great as they were together in the Smiths. Their reunion would be one more time I’d pay big bucks for a concert. ---
**Author:** ![denquixote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9bd4f/32.png) [@denquixote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/denquixote)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791/23 "2007-07-23T09:42:50Z")
[QUOTE=VCO3] There are a lot of people who died before my time that I’d pay just about anything to see (Judee Sill, Harry Nilsson even though he never really performed, etc.), but not too many modern people that I’d have to pay that much to see; I saw Calvin Johnson (who runs K records and used to be in Beat Happening) the other week for $10, and got to hang out and chat with him for a while, and he’s one of my favorite songwriters of all time. I guess that’s what esoteric tastes will do for you. But on the more familiar tip, I’d be willing to pay a good chunk to see R.E.M. in a very intimate setting, say a 100 or 200 person audience or so. [/QUOTE] Well in the song lyric nilsson sings “you’re breaking my heart you dirty little \_\_\_\_\_, so eff you.” Please fill in the blank for me. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791/24 "2007-07-23T10:20:35Z")
Can’t think of anyone I’d pay that much to see for my self, but… I would pay a _large_ fortune in order to be able to take Kiddo to see Led Zeppelin. He’s nearly 9 and they have been his favorite band for 2 years. When he’s old enough to be an official Doper his user name is going to be **Led Zep Kid**. He’s got it all picked out. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791/25 "2007-07-23T12:16:11Z")
ABBA. And I’d pay a big fortune to see the musical ABBACADABRA ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791/26 "2007-07-23T12:35:07Z")
Woodstock. But I’d bring a modern RV. But if I have to pick ONE artist/band to see live, I would pick The Who in their prime. From what I’ve seen of the archival footage, they gave one hell of a live show. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791/27 "2007-07-23T12:50:04Z")
If’n Johnny Cash were still alive… Since we seem to be able to go back in time for this thread, I’d pay $500 to see JC back in about 1985 or so. Or Metallica back in the same era, same price. Someone I’d like to see today? Probably Peter Gabriel or Bruce Hornsby. About $200 per. Others I’d pay through the nose for; Tool or Sevendust. I could probably justify coughing up about $150 or so for each of those, maybe more. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791/28 "2007-07-23T12:58:54Z")
For those acts that can still get together, I’d pay a small fortune to see **Paul** and **Ringo** play a set together (double if Ringo would sing), as well as **Led Zep**. ---
**Author:** ![bubastis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d07c76/32.png) [@bubastis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bubastis)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791/29 "2007-07-23T16:27:58Z")
[QUOTE=Uncommon Sense] Someone I’d like to see today? Probably Peter Gabriel or Bruce Hornsby. About $200 per. [/QUOTE] Holy crap, man. Peter Gabriel just played a gig here (ireland) a couple weeks ago. it was a double-header with Crowded House, and I think tickets were like 70 euro or so; thats about fifty dollars for both those bands. Of course, this is all information that would have been more use to you a couple weeks ago… ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791/30 "2007-07-23T16:33:32Z")
[QUOTE=Jophiel] Suddenly the $20 I spent to see Ms. Spektor last year seems like quite the bargin. [/QUOTE] In my case, the $250 was for a four day music festival showcasing about fifty or sixty bands, including The Roots, The White Stripes, The Police, Damien Rice, Franz Ferdinand, and a bunch of other indie artists of a wide variety of genres and while I wanted to see a lot of them, the selling point was her and Tool. I actually didn’t wind up seeing many other artists besides them and still feel like I got my money’s worth. ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791/31 "2007-07-23T17:27:16Z")
I’d give just about everything I have (okay, that’s not much) to be able to see Queen’s performance at Harrisburg’s Farm Show Arena in 1974 (_opening_ for Mott the Hoople - WTF?! :eek: ). I’ve searched the deepest, darkest, depths of the Internet, and from all accounts, not even a single bootleg exists of the show. I work right across the street from that building - hell, I’d pay $100 for even a horrible-quality boot. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791/32 "2007-07-23T17:35:00Z")
Pink Floyd or Rush. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791/33 "2007-07-23T17:39:58Z")
[QUOTE=DudleyGarrett] I am talking about someone you enjoy they’re music so much that you’d be willing to spend a LOT of money to go see. So far in my life I’ve had three. 1. Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam – still waiting, don’t think it’ll ever happen unless I travel to Europe 2. Peter Gabriel – saw him in Boston, 2002 – every bit as unreal of a show I would have hoped for. 3. Jethro Tull – just found out they’ll be playing in Bethesda, MD on 12/3 – I’m there, no matter how much the tickets cost!!! [/QUOTE] I would pay a small fortune for someone to build a time-machine so I could see Jethro Tull circa 1972. Ian Anderson’s atrophied vocal skills have basically removed the band my concert list; and this a band I’ve seen 25 times. ---
**Author:** ![TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791/34 "2007-07-23T17:53:50Z")
[QUOTE=denquixote] Well in the song lyric nilsson sings “you’re breaking my heart you dirty little \_\_\_\_\_, so eff you.” Please fill in the blank for me. [/QUOTE] You’re tearing it apart? There’s no lyric where he says, “You dirty little…” ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791/35 "2007-07-23T18:38:11Z")
[QUOTE=BwanaBob] I would pay a small fortune for someone to build a time-machine so I could see Jethro Tull circa 1972. Ian Anderson’s atrophied vocal skills have basically removed the band my concert list; and this a band I’ve seen 25 times. [/QUOTE] Sadly, I agree. I saw them 3 times during the 90’s and even though the show was otherwise perfect, Ian’s voice was not up to task. My imagination did a good job of overlaying its own vintage vocal track during the show though. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791/36 "2007-07-23T19:06:57Z")
[QUOTE=Aesiron] In my case, the $250 was for a four day music festival showcasing about fifty or sixty bands [/QUOTE] I didn’t mean to imply that your event wasn’t worth it but rather my surprise at seeing two responses along the lines of “I’d pay $250+…” to see Regina Spektor. Although it _was_ a fun show 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791/37 "2007-07-23T19:36:49Z")
Well, if I remember correctly, \*\*installLSC \*\*and I both posted about being somewhat smitten with Ms. Spektor in a recent crush thread, so, even ignoring her musical genius, that would explain our willingness to pay so much. She was magnificent and I really hope she comes to Atlanta or Nashville sometime in the future. Hell, I’d even consider Cincinnati or Memphis and they’re both over 300 miles away. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2007, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791/38 "2007-07-23T19:52:52Z")
I paid $200+ to see \*\*The Eagles \*\* a few years back. I was third row center. Awesome concert. If Journey and Steve Perry ever reunite, I’m there no matter what the cost. I’d pay to see Springsteen in a big arena again. Not really interested in his acoustic tours. Everyone else I’d pay big bucks to see (Elvis in his prime; BeeGees circa 1974; Simon & Garfunkel in Central Park) is/are dead. ---
**Author:** ![UntouchedTakeaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d78d45/32.png) [@UntouchedTakeaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UntouchedTakeaway)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2007, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791/39 "2007-07-24T01:09:00Z")
Nick Lowe Dave Edmunds Warren Zevon ☹ VCNJ~ ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2007, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791/40 "2007-07-24T01:17:15Z")
Finally saw Rush last Friday night. Unfortunately it was an open air amphitheater and it rained all night. Despite paying extra for under cover seating, security let those that had open seating inside the covered area making it a steamy mass of people. We also had to stand to see anything because of the buttheads standing in the aisles. The show lasted about 90 minutes and it was over. I don’t know if it was the humidity or just the band, but they sounded flat. As far as those I would like to see and can’t, make it Lynyrd Skynyrd, Thin Lizzy and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Possibilities include Cream, Temple of the Dog, Gruntruck, Deep Purple and Montrose with Sammy Hagar. And for those still around, Aerosmith, AC/DC and Metallica. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-artist-would-you-pay-a-small-fortune-to-see/412791.md?page=3)