The Beatles were what Star Wars was to the movie business. If it hadn't been them, maybe it would've been someone else, but that's how it happened, and it can never be repeated unless mankind literally took a step backwards, shrunk in size, and forgot everything that has happened before.
One can't forget just how big Queen were though. Even today, in all kinds of places, I run into people who know songs that I honestly thought the general public wouldn't have a clue about.
Sheer Brass Neck · Member since
I'm talking sales and territories. There is a page on wikipedia (I know it's not 100% accurate) but look at the list in the link below. Three groups in the top selling artists worldwide. Beatles #1, Zep #2, Queen #3. Apart from North America, Queen compares and actually has outsold The Beatles in many market places, and the lists don't really touch on South America where I'd hazard a guess they'd be at least comparable in sales to The Beatles based on their touring and enormous stadium shows. They're in The Beatles league for sure. To get back to the original point, I'd be shocked if The Beatles with Clay Aiken or Adam Lambert fronting them wouldn't sell out three days of a festival with zero support acts. I think Brian and Roger have devalued the brand as a live act by trotting out a rotating lineup that is one half to one third of Queen at best.
I wonder what they are going to do now. Ticket sales were obviously disappointing. I wouldn't be surprised if they will not do it at all.
Time for Brian and Roger to make up their minds. I think they still can be a succesfull live act, but the setting and the band line-up has to be right.
john bodega · Member since
I know that I'm missing something here, but people keep talking about it as though it was solely a Queen gig, and thusly solely Queen's failure to sell tickets...
Vocal harmony · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]Zebonka12 wrote:[/b]
I know that I'm missing something here, but people keep talking about it as though it was solely a Queen gig, and thusly solely Queen's failure to sell tickets...[/QUOTE]
I agree. There are a lot of people on here who seem to many Queen as they are now to fail. There are also people here who seem to think they know more than they do.
Killimanjaro had to sell 45000 tickets to break even, or a percentage of this number per month. The sales were not on target reach this amount, although in the next two or three months they may have done so. The point at which they pulled the plug on the festival was the latest they could cancel without having to pay a percentage of the fees due to artists. By doing what they did they were able to refund ticket sales without taking a loss.
Had it been left longer not only would they have had to pay the bands, but also lighting, sound and staging companies.
Although I don't have the figures, and wouldn't post them if I had, I do know that although ticket sales seemed to indicate a low response, the day tickets for Saturday, the day Queen were playing, were higher than the other day tickets and at the time of cancelation were higher than last year!
Holly2003 · Member since
It's been mentioned a few times that the general line up wasn't that great, that Kiss couldn't sell out medium sized arenas on their last tour (no wonder- they suck!) and that Faith No More are barely known in the UK and don't have a large following. The Darkness might fill small halls but that's about it. Also, we're in the middle of the worst recession since the early 1980s. However, I would guess if this was (for example) Queen + George Michael instead of Lambert it would've sold more tickets as it's a "quality" brand that fits well with Queen's current audience. Queen + Lambert has a number of negative aspects: unlike Michael, he is virtually unknown in the UK, which means he doesn't have his own large fanbase to sell tickets to; unlike Rodgers, he has no rock credentials; and unlike say Dave Grohl he has no credibility with the young studenty types that comprise a significant part of the audience for rock/pop festivals. So given the overall lineup and current economic sitiation Knobworth might've failed anyway, but Queen+Lambert certainly didn't help.
Sheer Brass Neck · Member since
Agree completely with Holly.
john bodega · Member since
While I don't agree that George Michael specifically would've made much of a difference, I couldn't rule out the possibility that they might've made better sales with someone else. Because who knows, really. Anything's possible. It might've even just come down to the thing being marketed better.
I don't know much about what the kids want to see these days but as lineups go it sounded pretty shite to me.
jpf · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]Holly2003 wrote:[/b]
It's been mentioned a few times that the general line up wasn't that great, that Kiss couldn't sell out medium sized arenas on their last tour (no wonder- they suck!) and that Faith No More are barely known in the UK and don't have a large following. The Darkness might fill small halls but that's about it. Also, we're in the middle of the worst recession since the early 1980s. However, I would guess if this was (for example) Queen + George Michael instead of Lambert it would've sold more tickets as it's a "quality" brand that fits well with Queen's current audience. Queen + Lambert has a number of negative aspects: unlike Michael, he is virtually unknown in the UK, which means he doesn't have his own large fanbase to sell tickets to; unlike Rodgers, he has no rock credentials; and unlike say Dave Grohl he has no credibility with the young studenty types that comprise a significant part of the audience for rock/pop festivals. So given the overall lineup and current economic sitiation Knobworth might've failed anyway, but Queen+Lambert certainly didn't help. [/QUOTE]
KISS "Alive/35" U.K./European Tour 2008
May
9 - Konig-Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen, Germany
11 - Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany
12 - Wiener Stadhalle, Wien (Vienna), Austria
13 - Arena di Verona, Verona, Italy
15 - USCE Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia **Cancelled due to political uprising in Serbia
16 - Akademik Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria
18 - Terra Vibe Park, Malakassa (Athens), Greece
22 - Arena Riga, Riga, Latvia
24 - Luzhniki Olympic Stadium, Vorobyovy Gory, Moscow, Russia
26 - SKK Newarena, St. Petersburg, Russia
27 - Hartwall Areena, Helsinki, Finland
28 - Hartwall Areena, Helsinki, Finland
30 - Stockholm Stadium, Stockholm, Sweden
31 - Valhall Arena, Oslo, Norway
June
1 - Bergenhus Festning, Koengen, Bergen, Norway
3 - Forum, Copenhagen, Denmark
4 - Color Line Arena, Hamburg, Germany
6 - Saska O2 Arena, Prague, Czech Republic
9 - Velodrom, Berlin, Germany
10 - SAP Arena, Mannheim, Germany
11 - König-Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen, Germany
13 - Download Festival, Donnington, Derby, England (headliner)
15 - Arrow Rock Festival (Goffertpark), Nijmegen, Holland (headliner)
17 - Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, Paris, France
18 - Schleyerhalle, Stuttgart, Germany
21 - Bilbao Kobetamendi, Bilbao, Spain
23 - Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland
24 - Datch Forum, Assago, Milan, Italy
26 - Rockhal, Esch/Alzette, Luxembourg
27 - Arena Nürnberger Versicherung, Nurmeberg, Germany
28 - Graspop Metal Meeting, Boeretangsedreef, Dessel, Belgium (headliner)
KISS "Sonic Boom Over Europe" Tour 2010
March
2 - O2 Academy, Islington, London, England
May
1 - Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, England
2 - Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, England
4 - Liverpool Arena, Liverpool, England
5 - LG Arena, Birmingham, England
7 - O2 Arena, Dublin, Eire
9 - SECC, Glasgow, Scotland
10 - Manchester Arena, Manchester, England
12 - Wembley Arena, London, England
13 - Wembley Arena, London, England
16 - Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland
17 - Arena Genf, Geneva, Switzerland
18 - Mediolanum Forum, Milan, Italy
20 - Stadhalle, Vienna, Austria
21 - CEZ Aréna, Ostrava, Czech Republic
23 - O2 Arena, Prague, Czech Republic
25 - Leipzig Arena, Leipzig, Germany
26 - O2 World, Berlin, Germany
28 - Papp Laszlo Sport Arena, Budapest, Hungary
29 - Stadion Pasienky, Bratislava, Slovakia
31 - Colorline Arena, Hamburg, Germany
June
1 - König-Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen, Germany
3 - Rock am Ring, Nurburgring, Eifel, Germany (headliner)
5 - Rock im Park, Zeppelinfeld, Nurnberg, Germany (headliner)
8 - Lerkendal Open Site, Trondheim, Norway
10 - Sauna Rock, Tampere, Finland
12 - Stockholm Stadium, Stockholm, Sweden
13 - Malmo Stadium, Malmo, Sweden
14 - Valhall, Oslo, Norway
16 - Gigantium, Aalborg, Denmark
18 - Gelredome, Arnhem, Holland
20 - Hellfest, Clisson, France (headliner)
22 - Palacio De Los Deportes, Madrid, Spain
24 - Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain
25 - Azkena Rock Festival, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
27 - Graspop Festival, Boeretangsedreef, Dessel, Belgium (headliner)
They have no problem selling tickets in the U.K./Europe.
Know what you're talking about next time, dumbass.
Holly2003 · Member since
Learn to read. The UK shows weren't sold out, dimwit.
tomchristie22 · Member since
Oh, thanks! I really wanted to read those Kiss tour dates there. Thanks again
jpf · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]Holly2003 wrote:[/b]
Learn to read. The UK shows weren't sold out, dimwit. [/QUOTE]
So what? They sold very well, cunt.
Get your head out of your ass. You have no fucking clue.
jpf · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]tomchristie22 wrote:[/b]
Oh, thanks! I really wanted to read those Kiss tour dates there. Thanks again[/QUOTE]
You're welcome.
Next time don't bother reading the thread.
Holly2003 · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]jpf wrote:[/b]
[QUOTE] [b]Holly2003 wrote:[/b]
Learn to read. The UK shows weren't sold out, dimwit. [/QUOTE]
So what? They sold very well, cunt.
Get your head out of your ass. You have no fucking clue.[/QUOTE]
Read what the thread is about, dimwit.
jpf · Member since
[QUOTE] [b]Holly2003 wrote:[/b]
[QUOTE] [b]jpf wrote:[/b]
[QUOTE] [b]Holly2003 wrote:[/b]
Learn to read. The UK shows weren't sold out, dimwit. [/QUOTE]
So what? They sold very well, cunt.
Get your head out of your ass. You have no fucking clue.[/QUOTE]
Read what the thread is about, dimwit.
[/QUOTE]
