Change in tax law brings Who?

[Brian Cady]

>From the Connecticut Post:
http://www.connpost.com/entertainment/ci_4706625

The Who returns to rock Bridgeport
SEAN SPILLANE sspillane at ctpost.com
Article Launched:11/22/2006 05:47:05 PM EST

To get The Who to come to Bridgeport, it took a little lobbying, a little luck and, most importantly, the lack of the 10-percent admissions tax that has been applied to previous events at the Arena at Harbor Yard.

As of Nov. 1, the venue is exempt from that tax, much to the delight of Bridgeport officials, who have long complained that it was keeping events away. Other state arenas have, in the past, also successfully lobbied the legislature and, after years of talks with state leaders, Bridgeport finally received its exemption. That exemption was a major factor in helping to land the veteran British rockers for a concert, which will take place Tuesday night at 7:30 at the arena. The Pretenders will be the opening act.

The seeds for bringing The Who to Bridgeport for a concert were planted on Sept. 10 when Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and Co. were actually in the city, where the band was rehearsing prior to the beginning of the tour. Pleading the case for a Bridgeport date was Arena general manager Lynn Carlotto.
Selling the band on the arena wasn't a problem because, she said, "I think their experience here was very positive."

Giving up 10 percent of the gate was a major sticking point.

"While they were here rehearsing, I was backstage talking to their management and I will tell you very specifically that there was initial doubt about how well a date would do here because they were aware that we had a 10-percent admissions tax," Carlotto said. "It was just delightful for me to tell them that they don't have to worry about the tax anymore. We certainly became more of a contender once they understood that they wouldn't be subject to the tax. At that point, they suddenly became a bit more interested.

"Without my being able to tell them that, I'm 99 percent certain that you wouldn't be calling me to ask about The Who in Bridgeport."

And, as luck would have it, The Who had some open dates between Monday night's concert in Hershey, Pa., and a Dec. 1 date at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

The last concern The Who's management had about Bridgeport was whether the city and surrounding areas could support a stop on the tour, which had ticket prices that generally ranged from $50 to more than $200 at some venues.

"We talked about what the ticket prices were in other markets and I was asked if our market could support such prices," Carlotto recalled. "I told them that there was no doubt that we would and could and that they would be very happy with our ticket sales."

Carlotto was right on the money with that prediction and the tickets for Tuesday night's concert, which ranged from $52.50-$202.50, were all snapped up. A popular ticket re-selling Web site was listing prices ranging from $126 to a high of $1,112 for the Bridgeport show.

"It's a sold-out show," she said. "There also will be some seating to the side of the stage opened up on an as-needed basis in order to accommodate as many people as we can."

The Who selling out an arena isn't news, but what is newsworthy is the fact that this isn't just a reunion tour put together to play old hits and make a boatload of cash. For the first time since 1982, The Who is on tour to promote an album of new material.

The record, Endless Wire, was released on Oct. 31 and featured nine new songs along with a 10-song "mini-opera" called "Wire & Glass.''

Helping out in the recording were the four musicians in The Who's touring band — drummer Zak Starkey, who is Ringo Starr's son; singer-guitarist Simon Townshend, Pete's brother; keyboard player John "Rabbit" Bundrick; and bassist Pino Palladino, who recently was part of The John Mayer Trio.

The Who's first swing through the region took them to Boston, Long Island, New York City and New Jersey, but those dates were in early September, well before Endless Wire was made available.

When I attended the Sept. 19 show at Madison Square Garden, the second of two nights at that venue, the crowd was receptive to the new material, though nearly everybody in the full house had not heard a note of the new songs going in to the concert. It wasn't specifically what they came to hear, but I didn't see many people taking bathroom breaks and making beer runs during the songs.

The fans were rewarded with a heaping helping of Who favorites in the two-hour performance, including such classic-rock staples as "My Generation," "Won't Get Fooled Again," "Pinball Wizard," "Who Are You," "Baba O'Reilly," and on and on.

Those attending Tuesday night's concert can expect the same mix of the old and the new.

"It's going to be a really great night down here . . . again," Carlotto said. "It's just a really satisfying feeling to welcome The Who back here."

The Who, with The Pretenders opening, will perform Tuesday night at 7:30 at the Arena at Harbor Yard, 600 Main St., Bridgeport. For ticket availability, check with Ticketmaster outlets or call 368-1000.

The Who and The Pretenders also will perform Dec.1 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Tickets ($87-$202) for that show also are available through Ticketmaster.

 
-Brian in Atlanta
The Who This Month!
http://www.thewhothismonth.com


 
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