B.B. King Heckled At Performance.

[Jim Campbell]

Exactly.

If I see a band and they sound exactly like the album, I could have stayed home, listened to the album and put up a poster of the band and jiggled the poster to make it look like they were moving (Or not--depending on the band).

Much cheaper.
Or maybe just look them up on YouTube.


As for people who pay $200 to see anybody (other than a multi day festival or some such thing like that)--how do get the money to spend that much on a concert?

those are personal preferences,and for some i kinda lean towards the recorded versions for some bands if they are not really the improv types.....other times i like to hear the best players stretch out...i don't see one as being any more valid than the other.....a quality performance either way is all i really ask for.....

 

[ShoeManiac]

Doing research to discover if a musician, presented "in concert", will play music like virtually 100% of other musicians do at any age when they perform? That's not very reasonable.

In the age of YouTube where there are ridiculous numbers of musical performances posted from both professionals and amateurs, it's beyond easy for a potential audience member to check out an artist before buying a ticket.

 

[blue4]

You better be on top of your game when some of these people spend their hard earned money on your show, gosh darn it.


I've been to shows that disappointed me for far less money. If the amount I spend has a direct correlation to the bug that will grow up my butt if I don't have my way ... that's my problem, not the artist's.

Frankly the sense of entitlement is laughably sad. The entire "you're not allowed to have a bad show on my dime!" thing is so typical.

Don't go to his shows. For you that'll work out the same as if he had retired as suggested. Or died.


You can spend your hard earned money elsewhere and avoid all of this drama over some entertainment. Wow.


Seriously, at 88 he's still doing more gigs in a year than some of you do in a lifetime. He has well documented health issues... not that that's anyone's else's problem. Like I said, this thread is sadly predictable. And yeah, jackhole is appropriate.

"Screw empathy, I spent money!"


LOL

I would think any true performer would want to be at the top of their game when people are paying to see them. The only sense of entitlement that I read in your post (and this isn't a personal attack, just a disagreement) is the idea that a musician would take the attitude of "I don't care what you paid, I'm entitled to suck from time to time." I'm not saying that's your attitude, or even BB's, but that how your post reads to me.

 

[Alkali Ike]

Has BBK been touring with the same band for a long time? Maybe he feels a sense of obligation to keep them employed. Misplaced though it may be.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I would think any true performer would want to be at the top of their game when people are paying to see them. The only sense of entitlement that I read in your post (and this isn't a personal attack, just a disagreement) is the idea that a musician would take the attitude of "I don't care what you paid, I'm entitled to suck from time to time." I'm not saying that's your attitude, or even BB's, but that how your post reads to me.

Not really getting why you'd read it that way but it's cool.

Actually that's not even close to my attitude. I don't know anyone (any real pro) who's ever said that or even implied that in their performance... not caring about sucking or being entitled to do so. Most of us hate not performing up to our own personal standards. Any true performer, if they live long enough, may reach a point that they can't be at the top of their game all of the time. Age can be a huge factor along with physical condition. I don't automatically jump to thinking a performer simply doesn't care as the motive for a subpar performance... like so many seem to have here. For all we know he could've been under the weather. I know I've played when seriously ill and while I got through the gig it couldn't have been my best performance.

Not that that's an excuse when people have paid their hard earned money. There's clearly NO EXCUSE for what King did. That's still the entitlement I'm talking about. If he was Ill I guess he should've cancelled the show. Don't give me any excuses, I paid good money to see you!

 

[blue4]

Not really getting why you'd read it that way but it's cool.

Actually that's not even close to my attitude. I don't know anyone (any real pro) who's ever said that or even implied that in their performance... not caring about sucking or being entitled to do so. Most of us hate not performing up to our own personal standards. Any true performer, if they live long enough, may reach a point that they can't be at the top of their game all of the time. Age can be a huge factor along with physical condition. I don't automatically jump to thinking a performer simply doesn't care as the motive for a subpar performance... like so many seem to have here. For all we know he could've been under the weather. I know I've played when seriously ill and while I got through the gig it couldn't have been my best performance.

Not that that's an excuse when people have paid their hard earned money. There's clearly NO EXCUSE for what King did. That's still the entitlement I'm talking about. If he was Ill I guess he should've cancelled the show. Don't give me any excuses, I paid good money to see you!

Oh I never thought that was your personal attitude, that's why I wanted to be clear that it wasn't a personal attack. But BB has done enough shows like this now to realize that to be fair to the people who have supported his career that he needs to make a change to his show or to the way it's presented. People do sometimes show an appalling lack of empathy, I agree, but maybe its because they would rarely be shown that empathy in their own careers.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Oh I never thought that was your personal attitude, that's why I wanted to be clear that it wasn't a personal attack. But BB has done enough shows like this now to realize that to be fair to the people who have supported his career that he needs to make a change to his show or to the way it's presented. People do sometimes show an appalling lack of empathy, I agree, but maybe its because they would rarely be shown that empathy in their own careers.

I was clear on that. Not a problem.

Maybe he should just cancel shows when he doesn't feel up to it. Of course that might occur the day of the show and where I could easily see a "The show must go on" mentality others might jump to the conclusion that it's primarily greed. And they'd have that to bitch about vs. however he chooses to do his set.

In this thread his health has been ignored or dismissed, his personal finances have been assumed, his integrity has been maligned. And not surprisingly by people who have very little to base these things on... because that doesn't matter either.

 

[Jim Campbell]

I was clear on that. Not a problem.

Maybe he should just cancel shows when he doesn't feel up to it. Of course that might occur the day of the show and where I could easily see a "The show must go on" mentality others might jump to the conclusion that it's primarily greed. And they'd have that to bitch about vs. however he chooses to do his set.

In this thread his health has been ignored or dismissed, his personal finances have been assumed, his integrity has been maligned. And not surprisingly by people who have very little to base these things on... because that doesn't matter either.

maybe he should cancel those shows....who ignored his health?...maybe pickin' on the front lanai would be better health wise than a tour schedule,hotels,air travel,and restaurant food.....i heard tell that some people call in sick....no one is holding a gun to his head....the show must go on only applies when there is an actual show.....

 

[blue4]

I was clear on that. Not a problem.

Maybe he should just cancel shows when he doesn't feel up to it. Of course that might occur the day of the show and where I could easily see a "The show must go on" mentality others might jump to the conclusion that it's primarily greed. And they'd have that to bitch about vs. however he chooses to do his set.

In this thread his health has been ignored or dismissed, his personal finances have been assumed, his integrity has been maligned. And not surprisingly by people who have very little to base these things on... because that doesn't matter either.

Well, his health and finances aren't really any of my business, but there comes a time in everyone's life when it's time to retire, OR simply change your product to suit what you can do.

 

[Brad Johnson]

maybe he should cancel those shows....who ignored his health?...maybe pickin' on the front lanai would be better health wise than a tour schedule,hotels,air travel,and restaurant food.....i heard tell that some people call in sick....no one is holding a gun to his head....the show must go on only applies when there is an actual show.....

No one did anything I described in this thread. BB should retire. Happy now?


I know most of what I'm saying isn't registering, how about you agree to disagree, I'm really not addressing you. BTDT

 

[Bigmuffdiver]

any video links available?

 

[Brad Johnson]

Well, his health and finances aren't really any of my business, but there comes a time in everyone's life when it's time to retire, OR simply change your product to suit what you can do.

Because the only effort ticket buyer should put into a purchase is making the payment?

If I was going to spend $200 to see an 88 year old performer, sorry, I would most definitely be looking into his current history. Which is so easy its ridiculous but why make the effort when you can just wing it and what you could've anticipated catches you off guard?

There are all kinds of musicians. Some put no more effort in than to get up to jamming with a friend levels. Others spend their lives on stage. Some even die there. Apparently BB put on a good show following this. Should he still bill it as more talk than playing if that's not what he did that time? Should he have quit right before this? Should he quit now?


If anyone's money is so important that an unexpected show leaves them as butthurt as many seem yet so unimportant they can't be bothered to check on recent performance beforehand...

How important is it, really?

What a quandary.


I've been to good and not so good shows. Never had a reaction like this thread. Because no one has to retire for me not to spend money on them (again).

People have gone so far as called this fraud. . Heck, get a lawyer and sue him for breach of contract. I wonder if some folks ever step back and look at how they act from outside their personal confines. It ain't pretty.

 

[blue4]

Because the only effort ticket buyer should put into a purchase is making the payment?

If I was going to spend $200 to see an 88 year old performer, sorry, I would most definitely be looking into his current history. Which is so easy its ridiculous but why make the effort when you can just wing it and what you could've anticipated catches you off guard?

There are all kinds of musicians. Some put no more effort in than to get up to jamming with a friend levels. Others spend their lives on stage. Some even die there. Apparently BB put on a good show following this. Should he still bill it as more talk than playing if that's not what he did that time? Should he have quit right before this? Should he quit now?


If anyone's money is so important that an unexpected show leaves them as butthurt as many seem yet so unimportant they can't be bothered to check on recent performance beforehand...

How important is it, really?

What a quandary.


I've been to good and not so good shows. Never had a reaction like this thread. Because no one has to retire for me not to spend money on them (again).

People have gone so far as called this fraud. . Heck, get a lawyer and sue him for breach of contract. I wonder if some folks ever step back and look at how they act from outside their personal confines. It ain't pretty.

You're right that most of this thread is overreacting, and this last post is no exception. BB King on the Buyer Beware tour. Doesn't have a good ring to me. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

 

[Jim Campbell]

No one did anything I described in this thread. BB should retire. Happy now?


I know most of what I'm saying isn't registering, how about you agree to disagree, I'm really not addressing you. BTDT

fair enough,but your tone at times suggested to me that those who disagreed with you were somehow lesser people.....and thus deserving of a response...and for the record it does register...i just disagree

 

[ShoeManiac]

I think it's possible that some people are overlooking a significant factor regarding the cancellation of shows. It's not that easy of a thing to do and has significant financial ramifications on a lot of people. In the case of BB there's his band and road crew that are impacted. If there's no performance that cuts into their pay. And there are also contractual considerations with the promoters and venues. Cancellations can lead to potential lawsuits for breach of contract at the level of a top-tier club or theater.

Some acts manage to cope with band member illnesses and fatigue in certain ways. I just caught one of the Allman Brothers Band's dates at NYC's Beacon Theater. The Allmans have held court at the Beacon during the month of March for DECADES. It's a major standing engagement, and a significant money maker for the band. The original band members are getting up there in years, though. At points during the set that I caught on March 12th Butch Trucks took songs off, and on a few songs Jaimoe took songs off. They had contingency plans though. Percussionist Marc Quinones sat in on Butch's kit for a few songs, as did Butch's other nephew, Duane Trucks. On another night Gregg Allman sat out because of bronchitis and Derek Trucks' wife Susan Tedeschi helped fill in on vocals. I knew Gregg wasn't in top form the night we saw them because I spotted him blowing his nose numerous times during songs.

In the case of the Allman Brothers Band, those guys are approaching 70 years old. They play two very vigorous sets. A lot of audience members were disappointed when the original members couldn't play a night or parts of the night. In the case of Gregg Allman's illness, when it became clear that he wasn't going to be in good enough health to perform the last 4 dates of their run at the Beacon the band cancelled those shows. That decision likely cost the band and their crew hundreds of thousands of dollars. Not an insignificant sum of money. And as a result I'm not one to make judgements about who should or should not cancel a gig due to fatigue or illness.

 

[blue4]

I think it's possible that some people are overlooking a significant factor regarding the cancellation of shows. It's not that easy of a thing to do and has significant financial ramifications on a lot of people. In the case of BB there's his band and road crew that are impacted. If there's no performance that cuts into their pay. And there are also contractual considerations with the promoters and venues. Cancellations can lead to potential lawsuits for breach of contract at the level of a top-tier club or theater.

Some acts manage to cope with band member illnesses and fatigue in certain ways. I just caught one of the Allman Brothers Band's dates at NYC's Beacon Theater. The Allmans have held court at the Beacon during the month of March for DECADES. It's a major standing engagement, and a significant money maker for the band. The original band members are getting up there in years, though. At points during the set that I caught on March 12th Butch Trucks took songs off, and on a few songs Jaimoe took songs off. They had contingency plans though. Percussionist Marc Quinones sat in on Butch's kit for a few songs, as did Butch's other nephew, Duane Trucks. On another night Gregg Allman sat out because of bronchitis and Derek Trucks' wife Susan Tedeschi helped fill in on vocals. I knew Gregg wasn't in top form the night we saw them because I spotted him blowing his nose numerous times during songs.

In the case of the Allman Brothers Band, those guys are approaching 70 years old. They play two very vigorous sets. A lot of audience members were disappointed when the original members couldn't play a night or parts of the night. In the case of Gregg Allman's illness, when it became clear that he wasn't going to be in good enough health to perform the last 4 dates of their run at the Beacon the band cancelled those shows. That decision likely cost the band and their crew hundreds of thousands of dollars. Not an insignificant sum of money. And as a result I'm not one to make judgements about who should or should not cancel a gig due to fatigue or illness.

It sounds as if they were smart about it, having plans to keep going without losing quality of show.

 

[lmfreeman9]

I love BB King. Have lots of recordings, read his autobiography and play his music. He headlined the first blues show I ever saw-in 1979 and when he delivered the punchline from How Blue Can You Get, chills ran up my spine. I saw him 5 more times in his prime in the 80's.

My wife and I went to see him in Tucson last February, the first night of a long tour. He did not have it. Forgotten lyrics, talking and taking photos with the audience, bad licks. It was sad. The band was great and bailed him out multiple times but couldn't save the show. Most of the audience forgave and lauded him. I regretted the $100 the tickets had cost me.

I know from reading his book, that he is a workaholic so I understand why he is still touring. He is not the retiring type. But I won't be seeing him again. I'd prefer to remember him in his prime.

 

[jj4001]

My drummer saw BB several years ago and says his set was pretty tired that night. That said, heckling a legend like that shows a serious lack of class.

On another note, BB played Providence this week and a friend says they were playing my band's record over the house PA before his set. Pretty stoked about that.

 

[Brad Johnson]

You're right that most of this thread is overreacting, and this last post is no exception. BB King on the Buyer Beware tour. Doesn't have a good ring to me. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

It wasn't my idea that he somehow warn people. Maybe you missed the sarcasm.

 

[Brad Johnson]

fair enough,but your tone at times suggested to me that those who disagreed with you were somehow lesser people.....and thus deserving of a response...and for the record it does register...i just disagree

You can imagine whatever you like about my "tone". Nothing I can do about that.