I spent an hour of my life I will never get back last weekend fruitlessly attempting to score Billy Joel tickets for his Shea Stadium concert. An hour of phone lines ringing busy, circuits being tied up, and web sites refusing to load. I mean, I never even got close to being able to purchase them.
Now, on ebay, there are no less than 194 sellers peddling anywhere from two to four tickets apiece.
Did anyone buy tickets to actually go and SEE the dámņëd concert?
PAD
• 
“Hannah Montana, on the other hand, only gave one sold out concert and there were hundreds of tickets available by scalpers. She’s so busy she couldn’t have scheduled another concert??”
She’s subject to child labor laws and probably couldn’t perform more concerts. What I can’t understand is why the Hannah Montana concert FILM was limited to a one week run??? It’s not like she’s personally running the projector…
There was a big stink a couple of days ago, when they added the 2nd concert date. The first date was originally promoted as the last concert at Shea stadium. A local classic rock station was giving away tickets by playing a Beatles(the first concert at Shea)song, followed by a Billy Joel song back to back. A lot of people got tickets thinking it would be an historic concert. Now it’s only penultimate.
> I agree something needs to be done to keep people from getting gouged when trying to buy tickets
There is a fairly simple way: stop buying from second-hand sources. Eventually scalpers will go away and people can resume buying concert/event tickets at the door and not pay through the nose for it. Well, no more than today’s inflated concert prices anyway. But, no, people are sheep and they’d rather get gouged than miss out on their cherished performer this once.
This sort of thing is why a lot of acts have presales for fan club members. I joined the R.E.M. fan club in 2001 and as a result was able, in 2004, to get the best concert seats I’ve ever had without having to try to beat out armies of scalpers.
…We didn’t buy the tickets, the prices were turning, and our stomachs churning..
No, we couldn’t buy the tickets,
‘Cause the box office spurned us
And the scalpers burned us…
Paul1963, that’s a fantastic idea. If you really like a particular performer or band, joining the fan club isn’t a bad investment. Thanks for sharing that suggestion!
Billy Joel is my very favorite solo singer. I thought I had all of his CD’s until I walked into a Used CD/Record exchanged — I happened upon a cd w/ about 18 songs — half of whihc I had never seen before, and the other half were early recordings (Cold Spring Harbor era)I got nto the car and eagerly put in the CD, thrilled to have some new Billy stuff — only to find that this is the stuff that was so bad (even predating Cold Spring Harbor) it never got published before., And the sound quality was awfull – they must have been songs he reocrded in his basement or something. Really Disappointing. But not as disappointing as trying like thudner to get tickets and failing. I feel for ya PAD.
Spooon
Billy Joel is my very favorite solo singer. I thought I had all of his CD’s until I walked into a Used CD/Record exchanged — I happened upon a cd w/ about 18 songs — half of whihc I had never seen before, and the other half were early recordings (Cold Spring Harbor era)I got nto the car and eagerly put in the CD, thrilled to have some new Billy stuff — only to find that this is the stuff that was so bad (even predating Cold Spring Harbor) it never got published before., And the sound quality was awfull – they must have been songs he reocrded in his basement or something. Really Disappointing. But not as disappointing as trying like thudner to get tickets and failing. I feel for ya PAD.
Spooon
Billy Joel is my very favorite solo singer. I thought I had all of his CD’s until I walked into a Used CD/Record exchanged — I happened upon a cd w/ about 18 songs — half of whihc I had never seen before, and the other half were early recordings (Cold Spring Harbor era)I got nto the car and eagerly put in the CD, thrilled to have some new Billy stuff — only to find that this is the stuff that was so bad (even predating Cold Spring Harbor) it never got published before., And the sound quality was awfull – they must have been songs he reocrded in his basement or something. Really Disappointing. But not as disappointing as trying like thudner to get tickets and failing. I feel for ya PAD.
Spooon
Billy Joel is my very favorite solo singer. I thought I had all of his CD’s until I walked into a Used CD/Record exchanged — I happened upon a cd w/ about 18 songs — half of whihc I had never seen before, and the other half were early recordings (Cold Spring Harbor era)I got nto the car and eagerly put in the CD, thrilled to have some new Billy stuff — only to find that this is the stuff that was so bad (even predating Cold Spring Harbor) it never got published before., And the sound quality was awfull – they must have been songs he reocrded in his basement or something. Really Disappointing. But not as disappointing as trying like thudner to get tickets and failing. I feel for ya PAD.
Spooon
Billy Joel is my very favorite solo singer. I thought I had all of his CD’s until I walked into a Used CD/Record exchanged — I happened upon a cd w/ about 18 songs — half of whihc I had never seen before, and the other half were early recordings (Cold Spring Harbor era)I got nto the car and eagerly put in the CD, thrilled to have some new Billy stuff — only to find that this is the stuff that was so bad (even predating Cold Spring Harbor) it never got published before., And the sound quality was awfull – they must have been songs he reocrded in his basement or something. Really Disappointing. But not as disappointing as trying like thudner to get tickets and failing. I feel for ya PAD.
Spooon
Why should I have to be a card-carrying member of a club to prove I like someone’s music and would like to see them perform in person? Why can’t I just enjoy them? And why should I have to pay for the privilege of carrying a card in the first place??? That’s ridiculous. I am so sick to death of every person, company, ad, store, greeting card, etc. having to have my name and address so they can send me email or junk mail I in no way in Hëll want. If that’s what I have to go through to enjoy a band, then they don’t care about me as a fan, they don’t need my money, and they certainly don’t need my patronage. Billy, I love ya, but you’ve priced yourself out of my league.
“This sort of thing is why a lot of acts have presales for fan club members. I joined the R.E.M. fan club in 2001 and as a result was able, in 2004, to get the best concert seats I’ve ever had without having to try to beat out armies of scalpers.”
Completely agree here…Ive been in the Pearl Jam fan club for about 10 years now…and not only do I not need to go through Ticketmaster,(though not every performer bypasses them) but I get to be in the first few rows every time I buy tickets. You usually get other perks too when you join a fanclub, besides first crack at concert seats so I always felt like it was worth it.
Susan O: “Why should I have to be a card-carrying member of a club to prove I like someone’s music and would like to see them perform in person?”
You *don’t* have to. I’ve purchased rock concert tickets via Ticketmaster and while it wasn’t a wonderful experience, I got the tickets. Not the best seats, but at least I got something.
And ultimately, no one *has* to buy tickets to go see anything. If you don’t like the system, you can always walk away.
Besides, you can’t blame the performers, their fan clubs, or even Ticketmaster for the problem of scalpers buying up blocks of tickets before legit buyers can get them and selling them for inflated prices. And scalping is certainly a component of the problem.
I wish we lived in a perfect world, one without scalpers, greedy businesses that gouge customers, and other hassles. But we don’t. It’s an imperfect world with imperfect options.
Jim “Spooon” Henry: “I got nto the car and eagerly put in the CD, thrilled to have some new Billy stuff — only to find that this is the stuff that was so bad (even predating Cold Spring Harbor) it never got published before…”
Was this by any chance “Attila,” the organ-drums combo Joel formed with some guy whose name escapes me? I have a copy of their one and only album, featuring the two band-members on the cover dressed as huns and surrounded by meat (raw meat, I believe).
Joel altered a electric organ to make it sound like a guitar. Amazingly, he also altered his attacks and phrasing to make it sound like he was playing a guitar and if you didn’t know better, you’d think he was.
As song titles like “Brain Invasion” and “Amplifier Fire” would lead one to expect, it wasn’t great music. And Joel was singing in a register higher than anyone has ever heard him sing since. Still, Joel’s ability to use the organ and bass pedals to make a two-man band sound like four makes it a worthwhile listen.
FYI, “Attila” broke up after their first album was released.
Crap. You mean there’s Billy stuff out there I DON’T have?
You do this to me on purpose, don’tcha, Myers?
Tickets are one of the many reasons I miss Tower Records. Sure, getting them from the TM in Boscov’s works, too, but it’s so much more an experience to discuss seats with someone that’s actually been to one of these shows and a whole conversation evolves. And, much like a well-stocked library, a well-stocked music store has it’s own lovely set of sensory experiences. There’s nothing like flipping through music in wooden crates to put a mind at ease.
Unless it’s going around a wood-floor bookshop with tea brewing in the back. Or spending a day with my family where I don’t have an editing project that’s stubbornly refusing to be quite right.
Sorry. Stressful day.
In this case, it’s a frequent-consumer ID. You don’t have to carry a card for a bonus cup of coffee either. The bonus encourages repeat visits, but coffee shops can’t give out a free cup of coffee for every claim someone’s bought 9 coffees there.
2 quick notes:
-Billy Joel was in another group besides Attila before Cold Spring Harbor came out: The Hassles. You Got Me Runnin’, Hotel St. George, and Hour of The Wolf were among their “classic” tracks. Two albums, I think, which have been recycled into endless grey-market compilations, most of which feature Billy’s name and likeness prominently.
-Paul McCartney also lets members of his website purchase tickets at their face value before they go on sale through normal channels. That’s how I got my 2005 tickets; in 2002, I had to go through a “broker”.
Did anyone buy tickets to actually go and SEE the dámņëd concert?
Um… yeah. I didn’t want to tell you last weekend that Brandy scored tickets last weekend, I was afraid you or Kathleen would mug me for them.
Oh, I wish this were a sitcom so that Bill Joel would show up at Peter’s house do to some contrived reason and then so a few words and burst into song… *sigh* if only rel life were like that sometimes.
Oh, I wish this were a sitcom so that Bill Joel would show up at Peter’s house do to some contrived reason and then so a few words and burst into song… *sigh* if only real life were like that sometimes.
Oh, I wish this were a sitcom so that Bill Joel would show up at Peter’s house do to some contrived reason and then say a few words and then burst into song… *sigh* if only real life were like that sometimes.
I had a few repeats because I screwed up the first reply sorry about the “spam” Peter.
Hello Mr. David-
I know this is TOTALLY off topic but I was wondering if u could point me in the direction of a site where I could buy the new IDW New Frontier comic that is coming out soon. I would really really appreciate it. Thanks!
Brandon,
If there’s a decent comic store near you, I’d go ask them if they’ll be getting it. That’s probably your easiest bet!
TWL
The only concert I ever make an effort to get tickets for each year is Jimmy Buffett. You do have to act fast; he sells out a 35,000 seat venue in about twenty minutes, but I’ve only ever come out empty handed once.
Um… yeah. I didn’t want to tell you last weekend that Brandy scored tickets last weekend, I was afraid you or Kathleen would mug me for them.
I don’t resent people who actually managed to score tickets for the concert, nor covet their tix. Remember, my gripe was that it seemed to this observer that just about everyone buying the tickets was doing so in order to profiteer. If you got tickets so you could go, then by all means, go and have a good time.
Just bring me back a present.
PAD
“…We didn’t buy the tickets, the prices were turning, and our stomachs churning…” 🙂
Freedom Clock, Cowboy Pete,
Bowling Alleys, She-Hulk,
M’k’n’zy”s got a scar now he’s gone away far,
Peter Parker, M.J., Cowboy Pete killed Janeway,
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“…We didn’t buy the tickets, the prices were turning, and our stomachs churning…” 🙂
Just saw Billy’s concert in Anaheim this past evening! What a romp! He was in great form both physically and vocally.
As usual, his stage banter was hilarious. Surprisingly, he sang a lot of his great early material too.
My favorite part of the concert?
Billy said that he was only going to be playing a show worthy of the original face value of the tickets… and anyone expecting a show equal to a scalper’s value ticket would be sorely disappointed.
Ah, yes, more of the “magic of the free market” in action. “Say, these anti-scalping laws are too restrictive and unnecessary for us Republicans. Laissez-faire capitalism will solve all our problems! Small government is good government!”
Then, shortly after the anti-scalping laws get neutered or repealed, everyone’s totally shocked that scalping becomes an epidemic and the only place you can get tickets from anymore is scalpers who artificially restrict demand to increase their profits. Whodathunk?
FYI, I didn’t initially join the R.E.M. fan club to get concert tickets.
I joined to get the annual holiday package, which includes a CD containing material not officially available elsewhere. 😀
Last time I saw Billy live was 9/11/02 in Central Park. Before that it was 1990 storm front at the Carrier dome. Got in free because my friend’s friend was a roadie- took me backstage and showed me how Billy had pre-amped his Grand piano through a little Fender champ- with Franken wires pouring out of it!
I saw Billy Joel at Acer Arena in 2006. He was fantastic.