Bands to See Before You Die

Some people make lists of things they want to accomplish before they die. Others - like me - make lists of bands I want to see before I go gently into that good night.

I was thinking about my list this past weekend. There are still a lot of bands left to see - but I've also made quite a dent, especially this past year.

My master list (in absolutely no order):

Aerosmith 
Guns n' Roses
Motley Crue
George Michael
AC/DC
Kix
Tesla
Fastway
Bon Jovi
Twisted Sister
Sammy Hagar
Led Zeppelin

Van Halen
Whitesnake
Alice Cooper
Rolling Stones
Pink Floyd
The Who
Eric Clapton
Metallica
Def Leppard
Poison
Iron Maiden
Rage Against the Machine

I'm sure my list doesn't fit with some trendy/hipster/indie magazine crowd. Those types probably list bands like Death Cab for Cutie and Arctic Monkeys or something. I think for a band to make your "death list" they better be classic. Sure, I like a lot of new bands - and quite frankly I've seen all the ones I really dig.

I'm doubtful I'll ever see Led Zeppelin, but they are on the list because they are a big dream. Guns n' Roses made the list - but I mean the classic line-up, not Axl Rose and Friends. We'll see if that comes to fruition. I can't even imagine how much tickets would cost for that reunion. I bet scalpers are already praying for that day.


So, who is on your list? I bet we share a few bands in common!

Does the Demand for AC/DC Tickets Prove Live Music Isn't Dead After All?

Does the demand for tickets to AC/DC's upcoming Black Ice tour prove the demand for live music isn't dead - or does it just say that people really love the Aussie rockers?

I keep going back and forth on my position about the ticket prices for the Black Ice shows. I know exactly how much money I've spent on music this year - and when I think of it that way, prices for AC/DC are on the lower end of the spectrum. I spent $200 and $300 a ticket to see Van Halen and George Michael respectively. Those prices are for one ticket - not a pair! So, even with the fanclub membership tacked on, I spent $250 for my two AC/DC seats. That's a lot of money when the economy sucks but I guess you have to pay if you want to see a certain band.

People are paying indeed.

I thought the days were gone where a single band could continually sell out venue after venue. I have to admit I'm intrigued watching this "AC/DC phenomenon."  It is exciting to me to think that people are still into live music enough to get online, get on the phone, get in the car and get ready to all buy seats at the exact same time for one particular band. I can imagine this was the case often in the 80s. I guess it all comes down to the thrill of the chase.

I can only imagine how much better this experience would be if people could actually wait all night at venues for tickets. The advent of the Internet sort of killed that vibe altogether. Sure, time is money and progress moves society forward - but you also lose a very special bonding experience through convenience.

So, is AC/DC just a rare band everyone wants to see? Is the economy not as bad as we are all led to believe? Is live music really not dead after all?

How in the Hell Did I Miss This?

The Daily Buzz is a syndicated morning show. It is produced and aired by the CW network and actually started in my hometown of Dayton, Ohio. A couple years ago, production moved to Florida. Let me be clear here: I do not watch The Daily Buzz but I do pick up promos while I enjoy reruns of my favorite comedies on the CW.

Like any morning show, the Daily Buzz has musical guests. Well, imagine my surprise when I find myself searching YouTube...and find a clip of Nelson on the Daily Buzz. I have no earthly clue why Nelson were on that show - I'm assuming to plug some sort of tour/book/shampoo...or whatever. Anyway, the brothers (band?) did a basically worthless interview after their performance. The interview does take a serious turn for about 30 seconds, but then goes quickly back to drivel - and I blame the anchors, not the Nelson twins! Please believe, the interviewers are fascinated to learn about the concept of "Scrap Metal."

...and here's "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection" live from the Daily Buzz.

So, is it just me, or did you also find that interview pointless? Maybe I'm getting grouchy in my old age, but I can't help but be frustrated at the poor quality of most music-related interviews these days. The interviewers have no background information on the bands and the musicians...could basically care less. In this instance, I give the Nelson brothers credit for trying.

First Three AC/DC Shows Sold-Out

I feel a little better about my seats now! Again, if you're buying tickets today - be prepared, get online early, store a credit card and create a Ticketmaster account.

From Blabbermouth:

The following AC/DC shows went on sale this morning (Friday, September 19):

* Nov. 07 - Toronto, ON - Rogers Centre (sold out within 30 minutes)
* Nov. 09 - Boston, MA - TD Banknorth Garden (sold out in 15 minutes)
* Nov. 21 - Columbus, OH - Schottenstein Center (sold out in 15 minutes)

Tickets for the Wilkes-Barre, Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit, New York, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, East Rutherford, Minneapolis, Seattle, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Antonio, Atlanta, and Charlotte concerts go on sale Saturday, September 20. Tickets for the Oakland concert go on sale Sunday, September 21.

AC/DC Tickets - Today!

Update:  Ticketing didn't necessarily go my way and I had to join the fanclub. I'm not on the floor, but a level up. Ticketmaster was a zoo this morning - 7 and 8 minute waits at some points! Good luck to all of you.

AC/DC tickets go on sale today (at least for my region)! I'll be online and ready at 10 a.m. - I think the contest for the seats will be fierce.

I'm stunned that - at least it seems - ticket prices are actually bearable for this must-see tour. I plan on attending the Columbus, Ohio show at the Schottenstein Center.  Even better, my show is on a Friday night! Ticketmaster lists most seats in the $88-$95 range. We'll see what the tickets really are when I log on at ten to buy seats for me, Eric and Heather.

If you get tickets - tell me and we'll compare our seats! Glam knows I've spent enough money this week, so I didn't join the AC/DC fanclub to get a pre-sale password. This means the chances of me getting a floor seat to the show are probably slim to none. I shall update this post after ticket time.

Hooray for AC/DC!

The first single from the new AC/DC album Black Ice is "Rock N' Roll Train." Hear it here:

You can buy Black Ice late next month at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores and the official AC/DC website. It's already on my list.

I'm Not Going...But You Can

Rock vacations are all the rage right now. From festivals, to long weekends to cruises - you can basically find a vacation featuring your favorite band.

The Rockin' the Waves cruise features Skid Row,  L.A. Guns (Phil Lewis' version), Trixter and Warrant (featuring Robert Mason on vocals). 

You might recall I went on Vince Neil's Motley Cruise at the beginning of the year. That cruise was a lot of fun! It was four days - the Rockin' the Waves trip is an entire week. I'm not psychic, but I predict a lot of huge bar tabs. 

The Rockin' the Waves cruise is in March and stops in ports like Key West and Cozumel. It goes to some other places too...I suppose if you are gung ho on this trip, you'll do your own itinerary investigation.  

I wonder why rock trips are so hot right now? Is it because the fans are older and have more money...or because the bands are looking for new ways to stay relevant?

Rockin' the Boat isn't the only game in town, either. Sammy Hagar has a cruise. His is five days and goes to (where else?) Cabo San Lucas. Unlike the Rockin' the Boat cruise, Sammy won't be on board with the fans. So, you might get a chance to eat in the dining room next to Phil Lewis - but don't count on that during Sammy's excursion.

If you are not interested in the Sammy Hagar or Rockin' the Boat cruises...there's always the Simple Man. That one has Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Marshall Tucker Band, .38 Special, Bang Camaro...and more.

Here's Skid Row live:

Here's Trixter live:

So, are you going on one of these rock cruises?

Update on Friday, October 3, 2008 at 08:29PM by Allyson B. Crawford

The Rockin' the Waves cruise is apparently canceled. I guess if you've reserved a cabin, contact your travel agent.

Whitesnake...and Flashdance?

I’ve taken to listening to CNN on my morning commute. Especially now since I have no cable or Internet at home because of the major power outage affecting my area, my satellite radio is the only way I can stay on top of political news. The only problem with news on satellite radio is that there are commercials. During the commercials, I flip back to the Boneyard.

Whitesnake get a lot of airtime on the Boneyard. I mean, a lot. This go’ round I found myself listening to “Now You’re Gone.” Something about that song was eerily familiar. Then it dawned on me: the synthesizers are a direct rip from the 1983 film soundtrack to Flashdance. That’s right: Flashdance.

“Now You’re Gone” is on the 1989 Whitesnake album Slip of the Tongue. The singles on this album include the album’s title track, “The Deeper the Love,” a revamp of “Fool For Your Loving,” “Now You’re Gone” and a couple more I can’t place right now.

You remember the movie Flashdance. The woman steel worker who dreamed of a career in dance. She had a lot of blue collar friends with big dreams and they all struggled. So, Flashdance is a movie based on dreams – and music. One of the most famous songs of the early 80s is “Flashdance – What a Feeling” which was written specifically for the film. It has a ton of synthesizers – very 80s. I’m telling you, “Now You’re Gone” has the same synth and the same musical undercurrent as “Flashdance – What a Feeling.” I never made the connection before this morning, but now I am sufficiently freaked out. Could it be that David Coverdale and company actually borrowed from the very famous pop song – or is it just coincidental? The world may never know.

whitesnake

Flashdance - Irene Cara