Why do famous musicians do this?

Why do famous musicians do this?

Author
Discussion

lrdisco

Original Poster:

1,441 posts

86 months

Monday 4th December 2017
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I know its a bit of a 1st World issue but I went to see Chris Rea last night in Manchester and having paid £53 each for tickets he did his show then an encore but as it was December we thought he would at least play his Christmas hit "Driving home for Christmas" but oh no. Not a peep.

The whole crowd seemed dissapointed, let down. Yes he may be famous but I thought the reason for his show was to please the crowds who had spent a lot of money on tickets, drinke, transport etc.

He was awful anyway with no personality and did not interact with the audience at all. A prima donna it would seem, just there for his own ego.

Rant over.

TwigtheWonderkid

43,248 posts

149 months

Monday 4th December 2017
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I always thought he should combine with Dire Straights, to form Dire Rea.

Duke of Kidderminster

733 posts

126 months

Monday 4th December 2017
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Because "Driving Home For Christmas" is a song of wrist-slicing annoyance, a truly terrible Christmas song just like all the others. Only topped by the Christmas songs from Paul McCartney, Slade and Mariah Carey.

He likely doesn't play it because he hates it and doesn't want to be remembered for it, although he probably very much likes the royalties he gets from it each year.

alorotom

11,907 posts

186 months

Monday 4th December 2017
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Suppose it depends if 5is was a show with stuff he done / written recently ... then I can understand not wanting to drag up the past which he is probably sick to the back teeth of ... if it was a full fanfare of all his old material then I agree it seems off/strange to not do it - esp given the time of year!

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

30,230 posts

234 months

Monday 4th December 2017
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We saw Slade in August nineteen seventy something. They were more than happy to sing theirs.

(BTW, I read this still churns in £500,000 per annum in royalties. Nice!

alorotom

11,907 posts

186 months

Monday 4th December 2017
quotequote all
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
We saw Slade in August nineteen seventy something. They were more than happy to sing theirs.

(BTW, I read this still churns in £500,000 per annum in royalties. Nice!
A good Christmas song is a gravy train for life basically

http://www.capitalfm.com/music-news/highest-grossi...

Dermot O'Logical

2,547 posts

128 months

Monday 4th December 2017
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In defence of Chris Rea, he's supremely talented, a proper petrolhead, and a nice bloke to talk to - I met him at Goodwood Revival a few years ago where he was racing a Lotus 6. He was standing in the paddock near his car looking a bit lonely, so we had a chat.

As stated above, he's probably fed up with playing his "Greatest Hits" every time he appears on stage - most famous musicians are the same.

Chris has come through some life-threatening health issues, and these days probably just wants to do his own thing. Who can blame him?

Willy Nilly

12,511 posts

166 months

Monday 4th December 2017
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I'm going to see the mighty Darkness on Thursday and I'll put a weeks wages on them playing Don't Let The Bells End. They did last time I saw them in December musicbiggrin

daddy cool

3,996 posts

228 months

Monday 4th December 2017
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Summarised in this obscure Big Train sketch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1YNEtaHbzA

TooMany2cvs

29,008 posts

125 months

Monday 4th December 2017
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lrdisco said:
I know its a bit of a 1st World issue but I went to see Chris Rea last night in Manchester and having paid £53 each for tickets he did his show then an encore but as it was December we thought he would at least play his Christmas hit "Driving home for Christmas" but oh no. Not a peep.
Thank gawd for that. Even ignoring the merits or otherwise of the song, last night was only the third of December. It's still over three weeks until Xmas. Draw the flamin' line somewhere...

BTW - over fifty quid EACH? <boggle>

Dr Jekyll

23,820 posts

260 months

Monday 4th December 2017
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Duke of Kidderminster said:
Because "Driving Home For Christmas" is a song of wrist-slicing annoyance, a truly terrible Christmas song just like all the others. Only topped by the Christmas songs from Paul McCartney, Slade and Mariah Carey.

He likely doesn't play it because he hates it and doesn't want to be remembered for it, although he probably very much likes the royalties he gets from it each year.
+1

Big Chris Rea fan, but loathe that track.

Yipper

5,964 posts

89 months

Monday 4th December 2017
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"Tired old man who hasn't had a hit for over a quarter of a century is a bit cr*p" shocker...

Shakermaker

11,317 posts

99 months

Monday 4th December 2017
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Willy Nilly said:
I'm going to see the mighty Darkness on Thursday and I'll put a weeks wages on them playing Don't Let The Bells End. They did last time I saw them in December musicbiggrin
yes, I'm sure they will.

Last time I saw them, also in December, they played a few B-sides, some of their less known tracks, and then played all of Permission to Land cover-to-cover, and finished up with Don't Let the Bells End. It was their 10th Anniversary tour i guess, but they definitely know how to play to the crowd. Sadly I missed out on tickets this year. You will enjoy!

Herbs

4,912 posts

228 months

Monday 4th December 2017
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Fully agree with you although funnily enough i saw that Eminem got slated recently for singing his hits at a concert rather than his new stuff. rolleyes

No pleasing everybody smile

Axionknight

8,505 posts

134 months

Monday 4th December 2017
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Willy Nilly said:
I'm going to see the mighty Darkness on Thursday and I'll put a weeks wages on them playing Don't Let The Bells End. They did last time I saw them in December musicbiggrin
They played it in Nottingham the other night, along with part of Last Christmas by Wham, a few of my friends were there and said that the band were on top form - you're in for a great show!

mr_spock

3,340 posts

214 months

Monday 4th December 2017
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Over the years I've backed lots of top 40 bands from the '50s. Many are dead now, but were still able to hack it when I played with them. In my experience you get two types - those who are grateful that people remember them for their hits, and those who are still creating new music they want to perform.

For example, The Bobettes ("Mr Lee") - or at least the 3 of them that were left, plus the daughter of the other one - were like schoolgirls. They were so excited to be performing, they were a huge laugh to be with and very happy to perform their hits despite the fact they'd been performing them for 40+ years. They'd all had other careers, families etc. and just loved being together and performing. The Del Vikings ("Come go with me" and lots more) were mostly nice, but their leader had updated their songs with distorted guitar, heavier drums etc. We were playing a big retro festival and learned the songs like the original released 45. It took a while to explain to them that the audience really wanted to hear "that old crap" not the rock version! Afterwards, when they got the audience reaction, they understood.

I've heard that Dion ("Runaround Sue" and more) is a bit like that. He prefers his later stuff, everyone wants to hear the early stuff. Dave Edmunds did a great job of having him mix them up I understand.

No idea about modern stuff, never listen to it.

tim0409

4,354 posts

158 months

Monday 4th December 2017
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Bit of a thread highjack, but I went to see Queen (with Adam Lambert) last night and they were absolutely fantastic; they know what the audience want (their big hits) and go for it. I wasn't sure about the prospect of Adam Lambert but he is a) sufficiently talented and b) doesn't try to impersonate Freddie for it to work. It's had to imagine that Brian May and Roger Taylor are now 70/68!

Highlight was Brian May playing acoustic guitar and singing Love of my Life, and then seamlessly incorporating Freddie singing vocals on the big screen - superb!

B17NNS

18,506 posts

246 months

Monday 4th December 2017
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I quite like Chris Rea. I don't really like 'Driving Home for Christmas' as a song. Sure, throw it in the set if the crowd likes it but its hardly encore material is it. He's the talent, let him play what he wants.

I remember seeing Pearl Jam in the early 90's. They refused to play 'Alive' (massive hit at the time for them). Think the reason they stated was that the proper fans wouldn't really care and it would ps off any teeny boppers who just went to the show to hear one hit.

I like my artists fked up with a bit of attitude. I want to see a living, organic, evolving gig rather than a heavily rehearsed performance.


Willy Nilly

12,511 posts

166 months

Monday 4th December 2017
quotequote all
Shakermaker said:
Willy Nilly said:
I'm going to see the mighty Darkness on Thursday and I'll put a weeks wages on them playing Don't Let The Bells End. They did last time I saw them in December musicbiggrin
yes, I'm sure they will.

Last time I saw them, also in December, they played a few B-sides, some of their less known tracks, and then played all of Permission to Land cover-to-cover, and finished up with Don't Let the Bells End. It was their 10th Anniversary tour i guess, but they definitely know how to play to the crowd. Sadly I missed out on tickets this year. You will enjoy!
Sounds great!They are a really good night out.

lrdisco

Original Poster:

1,441 posts

86 months

Monday 4th December 2017
quotequote all
I really am not sure why the TALENT can play what they like.
They are being paid to do what the employers want(The public), try it at work just doing what ever you want. It usually ends badly.

Not everyone is a hardcore fan and they do want to hear the hits and highlights.
Just my view.