Here's the long and short of our concert biz slowdown.  Perhaps we're overwhelmed by the usual.  As noted in business journals and various rock music publications, the concert business in 2009 was much of high-profile bands unable to sell out many of their stops.  A look at the high-draws show U2 with $311M (44 shows), Madonna with $222M (46 shows), Springsteen with $156M (72 shows!), and the #10 draw, Metallica with only $76M over 66 shows (figures drawn from Rolling Stone #1096).

Many of the shows listed didn't always enjoy sell-out houses but that's no matter.  The question was, did we reach a breaking point?  I don't think so.  Let's face it.  How often can one see Madonna, U2 (very good sales because shows are usually good), and a less energetic Springsteen bunch (who can forget a show from the Boss during his Born to Run/Darkness years?)  Me?  I deliberately miss all of these shows for very specific reasons.  But does that mean that I've quit going altogether?

The Police reformed after a very lengthy absence to formally close out their career.  Result?  Every house sold out, enthusiastic crowds and fans, and a Live set to bring closure for die-hards.  In 2007, Led Zeppelin performed a one-off show with tickets going out in a lottery.  Results?  Beyond measurement! And how about Leonard Cohen's reappearance on a stage long ago abandoned?  Incredible, and everyone went, including yours truly.

So what am I hinting at here?  Just this, that if you fill arenas with long gone bands that left their fans unsatiated, they will likely fill the house.  That includes cult favourites on smaller venue tours.  You see, I'm not sure that we've quit going to shows because the economy demands we be careful with the budget.  No.  We still need our escapes.  Case in point (non-music related but you get the idea) is the recently released Avatar.  In 3D.  At very high prices for the spectacle.  Result?  Over a billion dollars in just over 2 weeks of play.  Yes, we want our escape.

If a well-loved band went on tour, the shows would be filled to the rafters.  How about a reformed J. Geils Band tour?  Count me in.  And I'm taking friends.  Who want to go.  What about a Led Zep tour?  Sold. Out. Everywhere.  Let me add a Faces tour in here.  Positive it would be a ticket to get, if you COULD get a ticket.

Here's one for you. What if (I know this is a BIG 'what if' but just go along with me here) the original Guns 'n Roses reformed for a worldwide?  Yep, a massive success.

And so I say once again.  A slowdown in concert sales didn't necessarily mean an economy-strapped crowd but rather more likely a bored crowd.  Put the right bands in play and I'm sure that the sales to see these long lost legends will bring everyone put once again.

Just ask Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland about this and see what their thoughts are on the subject.  Call it the "Need to See" factor.  You get more out of it.

We're continuing the Cheap Trick Poll (see below). We have a few more departures (when does this thing end?). And I have a cool review for you of Elvis 75: Good Rockin' Tonight (the awesome 4CD Boxed retrospective for Elvis Presley).

And, before I run off, I have a cool contest for you as well. I have a single CD copy of Elvis 75: Good Rockin' Tonight. It's not as great as the 4CD Box but it has 25 Elvis greats skimmed from the 100-track Box. Want it? All you have to do is to click the email link and send me the pertinents. Simple. And good luck to everyone of you.

Last week, I asked for a new list of bands that we should run a Best of poll for. I received a few (and I'll do them all) but I'll start today's Poll with Cheap Trick. The drill is familair to most of you. All you have to do is to click on the link coming up in a bit, and tell us which you feel was Cheap Trick's best album. I always try to encourage respondents to stay away from their favourite and to honestly assess the artist's most important work. Regardless, the goal is to have fun. Send your pick to this email link. We'll post results after a week of running.

I have a music-related app idea that I'm fleshing out but, surprise, I can't code for it. If anyone out there can write iPhone/iPod apps, and would like to do a collaboration for a 50/50 revenue split, let me know.

Before I RUNNOFT, I want to not only send birthday wishes to my brother up in the frozen Canadian lands, but also to say a hearty hi to a old/new-found friend, Patti. Happy birthday, Mark! Hi, Patti!

Monday!

Rhino will release vinyl LP versions of Black Sabbath, and Masters of Reality by Black Sabbath on March 23.

Astralwerks plan the release of Uni5: The World's Enemy in both PA and Edited forms by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony on March 9.

Elektra Records will release Disintegration by The Cure on vinyl LP, scheduling for March 2. Remember that the 3CD 20th Anniversary Edition of the album will be released on March 16.

Hip-O Select plan the release of Sweet Dreams: Her Complete Decca Masters (1960-1963) in both CD and DD formats on April 6.

Universal Motown plan the release of New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Anhk) by Erykah Badu on CD, DD, LP, and USB Stick, scheduling for February 23.

Major Domo Records, an imprint of Shout! Factory will release a 22-track compilation for The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion called Dirty Shirt Rock 'N Roll: The First Ten Years. The comp is expected on March 30. After the release of this collection, Shout! Factory will reissue newly remastered catalogue titles for the band.

Rounder Records will release the new Mary Chapin Carpenter album called The Age of Miracles on April 27.

Barenaked Ladies have a new album called All In Good Time that is expected out in March from EMI Records.

Matador Records plan the release of a 'best of' for Pavement called The Best of Pavement to be released on March 9.