I’m always amazed at some of the yesteryear talent that is still touring decades after their last big hit: KANSAS, THE TEMPTATIONS, even some real dinosaurs like Buddy Holley’s CRICKETS or, God forbid, THE MONKEES.
I don’t dispute the greatness of these groups in their prime: dating myself, but when I was a teenager I LOVED Kansas (“Dust in the Wind” is one of the most beautiful songs ever), but back then they were playing to packed stadiums. Now they’re playing county fairs and street festivals in small cities. They should have saved the money and gone out while they’re ahead- as much as I love DUST IN THE WIND, I can’t imagine what it must be like singing it everyday for 25 years.
In your opinions, what are some bands (or solo performers) that just need to retire and start selling timeshares to pay their rent? And why do some of these groups keep touring when there’s little demand for it and they haven’t done anything really new since the first Reagan administration?
I grew up in the 80’s and loved just about every hair band there was. Some of these guys are still touring, with alot less hair and alot less fans! Maybe its time to hang up the spandex?
On one hand, I sympathize, I really do- some of my favorite bands of the 70s now sound terrible, and haven’t had a hit in years.
And yet…
Back in 1982, I might well have placed Yes and the Beach Boys in the “Time to Pack It In” category… but both bands still had #1 singles in their futures (“Owner of a Lonely Heart” and “Kokomo”). In 1985, many people would have told Roy Orbison, “Come on, Roy, you haven’t had a hit in 20 years! Why are you still singing at amusement parks and state fairs? Why not quit?” Instead, Roy stuck it out, and re-gained stardom with the Travelling Wilburies and a few solo hits. In 1990, most people would have scoffed at the idea that Johnny Cash or Tony Bennett could find young fans interested in hearing them sing. Heck, most people thought they were hopelessly washed-up has-beens. Needless to say, most people misjudged their future prospects.
Get the idea? A veteran band that’s fallen on hard times is not unlike a young, struggling, unknown band in this sense: both are convinced of their talent, and both are sure they can still make it to the top, if they could just come up with ONE more sure hit song, and if they could just get a lucky break. And, as I’ve demonstrated, SOMETIMES it actually happens.
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But even if a past-its-prime band CAN’T come up with another huge hit, even if a band like Cheap Trick or REO Speedwagon is NEVER likely to hit the top 40 again, why should they be eager to retire? Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick’s burly, chain-smoking drummer) says that life on the “corny dog circuit” (state fairs and amusement parks) pays very well. For the sake of argument, suppose that Cheap Trick can charge a mere $20 a ticket and draw a mere 2000 people to a show. Is that a major comedown from their glory days, when they could fill Madison Square Garden? Sure- but they’re STILL pulling in 40 grand a night! Even after expenses, that’s still WAAAY more money than they could make working at Burger King or selling Amway products.
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Look, I was a Kansas fan long ago, myself. So, part of me would like to tell Kerry Livgren and Steve Walsh (actually… are either of those guys still with Kansas now? sometimes, you find bands touring that have NONE of the original members left!), “Guys, have a little dignity! Retire!” But Walsh might well tell me, “Look man, we may never sell out hockey arenas again, but I’m clearing ten thousand dollars a night doing something I really enjoy doing. Why should I be in a hurry to stop doing that?”
My philosophy is this—having a band like Kansas play a state fair isn’t hurting anybody, and it may turn earn them some new fans, what’s wrong with that?
Nothing?
However, if you end up like Tiny Tim did, doing concerts as part of a circus sideshow/freak show act, well, then you might want to think about hanging it up.
It’s funny, Patti Smith hasn’t sold more then 3,000,000 albums in her entire recording career, yet you don’t hear anyone bitching about how she should hang it up.
Why could that be?
Wait, I know…because she’s the critics darling.:rolleyes:
As much as it pains me to say it, R.E.M.Monster was dissapointing, but I felt they were getting their rock ya-yas out. New Adventures in Hi-Fi is supremely underrated and made me feel they were back on track. But Up just isn’t that good, and Reveal is downright boring.
I think the idea of wanting groups to hang it up is more associated with mainstream music. It’s the people who were #1 selling out enormo-domes, then wind up at the local county fair. Usually they go away for a while then try for a comeback, and for some reason people find that a bit pathetic.
Patti Smith, while having a few crossover songs, was never part of mainstream music. I don’t recall her playing places much larger than she plays now. She never fully went away and still has fans buying her recordings. Critics seem to like her stuff, and she and her late husband were part of a community that influenced a generation of musicians. Why should she pack it up? I’m not particularly a fan, but I don’t think she fits in the “quit while they were ahead” category. I don’t think she ever qualified as “ahead.”
Actually, REO often does play the bigish arenas still. They’re just more accomodating on ticket prices.
REO, and other bands like them, will happily give away tickets in radio prizes or supermarket promos or anything else to get people into the concert. Then they get a cut off food/beverage/t-shirt sales.
It’s why Clear Channel keeps them around on their summer touring set year after year: because they’re so easy to work with and understand that profit doesn’t always come from the front gate. Plus…they play good music. I’ve enjoyed their concerts.
I saw REO back in August when they were touring with Styx and can say even after all of these years REO still kicks ass! I’ve been to many concerts but I can easily say that theirs was the best one I’ve ever attended! Their sound is still unbelievable!
I went to a AAA baseball game a couple years ago, and Huey Lewis was the post game entertainment. I don’t think there were 3000 people there, in a stadium that’ll hold 4 or 5 times that. He still rocked, but it was kinda sad to see…
Rolling Stones (probably sometime in the late 70’s or early 80’s)
Michael Jackson (after Bad)
Will Young / Gareth Gates / Rik Waller / Spice Girls / Atomic Kitten / Hearsay / Steps / S-Club 7 should all have quit just before entering a recording studio for the very first time :rolleyes:
I think the last two Rush albums have been well below par for them and despite how much they’ve meant to me over the years, I think it’s time they hung it up.
A little quick math, based on a recent concert in Austin.
America (Dan Peek left years ago, so it’s just Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell now) played at the One World Theatre here in Austin a few months ago. Now, I’m 41, and I’m pretty sure I was still in high school the last time they had a hit (“You Can Do Magic”).
So, do they belong in the “Has-Been” category? I’d say so.
Fact remains, they charged $75 a ticket, and drew over 2000 people to their show. So, these “has-beens” split $150,000 in one night. For two hours work, each man made more money than most of us make in a year.
Now, I have no idea whether they sounded good or not. All I know is, if I were Gerry Beckley, and I could make that kind of money playing “Sister Goldenhair” every night, I’d keep doing it as long as there were nostalgic yuppies willing to fork over the money!
I’m a little surprised Van Halen has yet to be mentioned. The post-Sammy Haggar lead singer shenanigans have really wrecked the reputation and strength of what used to be a darn fine group.
Styx should have quit while they were ahead…It is embarrasing to see some geriatric bands struggle on! OTher bands thrive on being the dinosours of rock (Tha Stones, Aerosmith, etc) but bands like Styx, Blue Oyster Cult should pack it up and shuffle off the the retirement home.
