# What performer would you pay $200/ticket to see? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 11, 2010, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070 "2010-03-11T03:12:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070/81 "2010-03-12T00:59:10Z")
> [@Misnomer](#): > > For any seat in any venue: > > [ul] > [li]Aretha Franklin[/li][li]Stevie Wonder[/li][/ul] > For good seats in a decent venue: > > [ul] > [li]Bruce Springsteen[/li][li]Billy Joel/Elton John[/li][li]Peter Gabriel[/li][li]Paul McCartney[/li][li]Iron Maiden[/li][/ul] Having seen Elton John/Billy Joel together (on the Rocket Man Meets the Piano Man tour), I’d say, money well spent! We only paid $80.00/ ticket (some seven years ago), but my sister’s partner is such a _huge_ Sir Elton fan that she stood in line all night to get us good seats. It was a Stadium tour, and I believe we were in the eighth row. . . It was totally excellent! ---
**Author:** ![Rack-a-Bones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rack-a-Bones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rack-a-Bones)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070/82 "2010-03-12T01:35:51Z")
I’m paying $150 to see Tom Petty at The Gorge this summer. They better be good freaking seats for that money. I’d rather sit at the top and take in the scenery while I watch the show than sit down close. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070/83 "2010-03-12T01:46:18Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > Adding bus fare, hotel and tickets together, we did spend about $200/person to see Leonard Cohen in Dallas. > > Worth every penny. Best concert I’ve ever seen in my life. I saw him in L.A. It was amazing. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070/84 "2010-03-12T02:27:09Z")
> [@Loisseau](#): > > If I could go back, I’d pay $200 plus to experience the 2007 Crossroads Guitar Festival live. > > I’m going to get my chance again-the 2010 Festival is in Chicago and I’m going! Hm, yeah, that would be worth $200. > [@Labdad](#): > > You’re married to Derek Trucks? And you have to pay to see him??? 😉 It’s a modern marriage. > [@kenobi\_65](#): > > twickster is [Susan Tedeschi](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Tedeschi)? Who knew?? That poor deluded woman … ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070/85 "2010-03-12T05:57:00Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > I’d pay at least that to see Genesis fronted by Gabriel. I saw Genesis with Gabriel twice, the Selling England tour (for $5.00) and the Lamb Lies Down On Broadway tour ($6.00 tickets IIRC). I wouldn’t pay $200 to see them together again, but mainly because I saw them at their peak already, but mainly because I’d be taking up a seat at the of course sold-out show that could have gone to someone who’s never seen them together before. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070/86 "2010-03-12T06:34:20Z")
None, and any artist with the chutzpah to ask $200 for a ticket could kiss my ass, regardless of how much I like them. If Tom Waits (my favorite favorite musician) asked $200, he could kiss my ass. Fuck you, Tom Waits. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070/87 "2010-03-12T17:01:44Z")
I would really like to get up close to the stage for an Aerosmith show, so if I get the chance to do that, I probably will, and it’ll probably be $200+. There are more bands I’d probably pay that much for depending on the circumstances, but they tend to play places like the Fillmore, if not two-bit sleazy dives, so a $200 ticket is moot for now. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070/88 "2010-03-12T18:10:28Z")
[QUOTE=Aesiron] Stevie is playing Bonnaroo this June in Tennessee. Tickets are $270, and I’m going to be in the crowd. [/QUOTE] Hmm, that makes me want to qualify my statement: I don’t think I’d pay $200 to see either of them at a festival. But part of me _is_ a little jealous of you. 🙂 [QUOTE=norinew] Having seen Elton John/Billy Joel together (on the Rocket Man Meets the Piano Man tour), I’d say, money well spent! [/QUOTE] I’ve seen them together twice now: most recently last summer, but then also the first time they toured together. All of my “good seats in a decent venue” artists are folks I’ve seen in concert before. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070/89 "2010-03-12T18:52:07Z")
Can’t much think of any group I’d pay $200 to see. Maybe the Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin because I’ve never seen them (did see Jimmy Page with Clapton and Beck at the ARMS concert in the early 1980s). But most of whom I wanted to see (Petty, Dylan, The Who, Kinks, etc) I have. Anybody remember the outrage in the 1980s when the Jacksons were charging $30 a ticket for the “Victory” tour? Or the Stones ended up putting on the disastrous Altamount “free concert for the people” show because “Rolling Stone” magazine was outraged by the prices they had for the early shows in New York…something like $7.50 a ticket? On the other hand I did pay $450 to see the Formula 1 race in Montreal three years ago and I liked the experience. Not sure if I will do it again this year even though Bernie has decided us North American fans can have a race instead of building yet another boring track in the Middle East. ---
**Author:** ![ProfessorX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@ProfessorX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ProfessorX)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070/90 "2010-03-12T19:25:17Z")
Oh man, whoever said Nirvana, I totally agree with that. To see them play together again, I’d pay around $1000 per ticket. So awesome ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070/91 "2010-03-12T20:20:57Z")
I’d pay $200 to see [Elton John play at Chechen Itza](http://www.wandotravel.com/tour/itn_mex12/elton-john-live-at-chichen-itza!/) and I’m not even a big fan :eek: ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070/92 "2010-03-12T20:54:51Z")
> [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](#): > > I’d pay $200 to see [Elton John play at Chechen Itza](http://www.wandotravel.com/tour/itn_mex12/elton-john-live-at-chichen-itza!/) and I’m not even a big fan :eek: I’ve seen Sir Elton in concert three times now; even though he can’t hit the high notes any more, he still does a hell of a show. And you know who did an _even_ better show last time I saw him? His percussionist. That man was _into his music_ and _waaaaaayyyyy_ too much fun to watch! ---
**Author:** ![J-P\_L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/j-p_l/32/3156_2.png) [@J-P\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J-P_L)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070/93 "2010-03-12T21:07:05Z")
I might depending on the performer. My wife and I, we paid $185. CAD per tickets for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill when they were last in Ottawa a few years ago, although that was obviously for two top performers. ---
**Author:** ![Quintas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/48db29/32.png) [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2010, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070/94 "2010-03-14T02:37:24Z")
Led Zeppelin if the $200 purchased a time machine to see them around 1972. ---
**Author:** ![Caprese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9a28c/32.png) [@Caprese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caprese)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2010, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070/95 "2010-03-14T11:19:30Z")
> [@Jim\_s\_Son](#): > > Anybody remember the outrage in the 1980s when the Jacksons were charging $30 a ticket for the “Victory” tour? I remember. That was also the first time I ever heard about some really outrageous scalping. > [@Quintas](#): > > Led Zeppelin if the $200 purchased a time machine to see them around 1972. Exactly. I watched [“It Might Get Loud”](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1229360/) a couple nights ago and it really brought back memories. I guess I _am_ kind of cheap, but also I’ve already seen all the old dinosaurs up close, in their prime. Neil Young, whose shows I have been attending since 1971, is about the only old guy that I have seen in the 21st century and would pay to see again–but he hasn’t ever charged me $200 a seat. Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeshi will be in Savannah next month and the cost is between $27-$73, plus gas. That I can live with. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2010, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070/96 "2010-03-14T20:01:06Z")
**Madonna** , **Weezer** , **The Beatles** , and yeah, probably **Queen**. I think I’d shell out that much for **Rush** , too, but I don’t think I would have to. Oh, yeah, and **Live**. I saw them once in concert and it was pretty great. ---
**Author:** ![aerie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e9a140/32.png) [@aerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aerie)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070/97 "2010-03-15T16:54:03Z")
> [@FordTaurusSHO94](#): > > I might for Garth Brooks, once. It would have been better if I could have seen Chris LeDoux open for him. Garth would have to pay me to see him. And if he had on some dooshy(sic) tight jeans then there would an extra charge for cheesing me out. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070/98 "2010-03-15T19:53:44Z")
I paid about $150 to see the Pet Shop Boys recently but it included a “meet & greet” with them. I saw McCartney on the “Flowers in the Dirt” tour and $200 would not be too high regardless of seating. Weird Al is also worth seeing. Currently on tour for FAR LESS than $200 depending on the venue. (He does a lot of fairs, etc.) [http://tickets.weirdal.com/](http://tickets.weirdal.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2010, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070/99 "2010-03-16T13:14:25Z")
Frank Sinatra ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2010, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070/100 "2010-03-16T14:56:08Z")
I was just arguing thiw point in a Rush thread. I meant absolutely no disrespect to Alex, Geddy and Neil, but I went to see them twice in their prime, and paid just 14 bucks to see them. Even allowing for inflation, concert tickets are a HELL of a lot more expensive than they were in my college days. I consider Rush a good but FAR from great live band. I gladly paid 14 bucks to see them in 1982, but wouldn’t dream of paying 100 bucks to see them now. In my college days,I’d go see almost any band for 14 bucks. Today? It would have to be a GREAT band to justify spending 100 bucks. And for 200 dollars? John Lennon and George Harrsion would have to come back to life and re-form the Beatles. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-performer-would-you-pay-200-ticket-to-see/532070.md?page=6)