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Rock shows turning into pricey sit-ins
by Richard Ruelas
The Arizona Republic
July 10, 2000

They've cancelled the Phoenix stop for the traveling natural history museum
that was supposed to hit Desert Sky Pavilion in mid-August.
It was going to showcase, over two nights, some of rock music's original
artifacts: The Who, in the midst of its umpteenth reunion, and Jimmy Page,
late of Led Zeppelin.
This would have mattered to me had I bought tickets.
But I didn't, even though I'm a big fan of both.
I've been soured on the arena concert experience, because I just can't buy
into the latest trend among my fellow concertgoers.
Apparently, the "in" thing to do at a show, especially one involving an
older act, is to make yourself hoarse screaming these words:
"Sit down."
This looks to replace the held-up lighter as the ubiquitous rock concert
tradition.
But I just don't get it.
Rock concerts are different from ballets, symphonies or other events enjoyed
by quiet crowds, such as Phoenix Suns basketball games.
A rock concert is meant to be experienced. The band isn't on display like
it's at the zoo.
Seats at rock concerts were never meant to be taken literally.
But apparently they have now become parking places for keisters.
Over the past year, I've seen people shouted into their seats at all sorts
of arena and outdoor shows.
On the lawn at Desert Sky Pavilion during John Mellencamp.
And in the lower bowl of America West Arena during Bruce Springsteen.
But the last straw was Roger Waters' show last month.
When he played the Pink Floyd hit, Another Brick in the Wall, I stood up.
Because that's what you do when the idols of your youth play the anthems of
your youth.
But then, I ran headlong into this new concert tradition.
A woman shouted "Sit down," right into my ear.
I tried to ignore her, but that became difficult when she started throwing
things.
Aging rockers, like Waters, are where the big concert money is this summer.
Springsteen has grossed $45.2 million. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young have
hit $42.1 million. KISS is flirting with the $40 million mark.
Part of the reason, no doubt, is the extraordinarily high ticket prices.
You would think the only people who would pay the top prices would be true
fans, the ones who would want to mosh up front.
But what it really does is put those with well-padded wallets up front,
where they are best situated to throw wet blankets on the event.
Speaking of throwing, back to the Roger Waters show. Whatever that woman was
throwing, she hit a nerve.
Something compelled me to turn to her and shout into her ear, "Remember rock
and roll?"
I'm not sure exactly what made me start speaking in T-shirt slogans, but it
quieted her for a few minutes.
The Who and Jimmy Page canceled their Phoenix dates due to "scheduling
conflicts."
Whatever that means.
I'm guessing the long tour is starting to get to Pete Townshend, who must be
sore from suppressing laughter every night when he looks out and sees people
singing his once-defiant line, "Hope I die before I get old," while their
widening butts are glued into their $130 seats.

        -Brian in Atlanta
         The Who This Month!
        http://members.home.net/cadyb/who.htm