Reg said:

The ticket prices are insane . . .

Reg:

Concert ticket prices have gotten to the point where what once was a much-enjoyed "hobby" of mine, has become a game of mathematical priorities. What bands or artists would I enjoy seeing, and at what price?

For instance, the ticket brokers are now selling front row seats for a $1,000 or more for people such as Madonna and Britney Spears (who has recently cancelled her summer tour due to a knee injury). I saw one ticket broker that is selling MADONNA tickets for the August 2, 2004 show in Miami at the Arena there --- these tickets are selling for as much as $3,250.00 EACH for front row seats!

Here is the link --- click on the August 2, 2004 Madonna show in Miami to see what I am talking about:

http://tinylink.com/?XH4v3xmAW9

With prices climbing ever and ever higher --- this is quickly killing the arena rock concert experience. The limit of what I am willing to pay has been long ago surpassed by most bands and artists.

My cost per ticket for the upcoming YES show in September is going to be $375.00 per ticket, but look at all that is included:

01) Guaranteed FRONT ROW CENTER seats

02) Backstage Laminate Pass

03) Backstage Meet and Greet with entire band

04) Photograph with the band by a professional photographer

05) Plus, the fan is allowed autographs from entire band.

06) Plus, the fan gets a 35th anniversary litho signed by entire band.

This I will be doing --- as I want Paula to have the experience of meeting the entire band. I had already met them in 1992, when I was at a medical conference in St. Louis. YES were staying at the same hotel --- which was across the street from the venue --- the RIVERPORT AMPHITHEATRE --- this is in the vacinity of the infamous arch.

This was the UNION tour --- where a concert was given by eight past and present members of the band. It was a pleasure to meet people such as TREVOR RABIN and BILL BRUFORD --- two members of YES who are no longer with the band. By the way, this one-off tour was the result of the 90125 version of YES and ANDERSON BRUFORD WAKEMAN HOWE (ABWH) attempting to record new albums at the same time. The link between the two was JON ANDERSON --- and it was he who got the other seven to agree to do this once in a lifetime mending of old wounds.

I have been averaging one to two shows a year, for the past several years. Because of the bad economy in Buffalo, NY --- there are nowhere near as many concerts as there once were.

That --- and considering that most of the newer bands are catering to the dumbed down AmeriKa --- example Drowning Pool's song BODIES --- there isn't much of a quality choice out there these days:

Drowning Pool - "BODIES" Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/drowningpool/bodies.html

'Nuff said . . .

KDB = Buffalo, NY USA