Pauls asking price for Aussie show: $6 million

McCartney wanted $12m By Nui Te Koha 01nov02

PAUL McCartney wanted $12 million for two shows at Docklands Stadium.

According to respected concert industry sources, McCartney's asking price for his now-aborted Driving Oz tour was $6 million with a guarantee of two concerts in Melbourne. 'Paul McCartney wanted a figure in excess of $US6 million for coming down here, and getting those numbers was impossible without doing two shows,' an industry insider said.

That asking price, not uncommon on the superstar tour circuit, has been corroborated by two leading concert promoters.

A source, who has explicit knowledge of the business side of Sir Paul's world tour, said McCartney asked for a guarantee of two shows, on November 23 and 24.

Victorian Major Events boss Steve Vizard confirmed 'discussions about a second concert'.

But McCartney pre-empted those moves last Sunday with a shock announcement to postpone the Australian leg of his Driving tour.

In a full-page statement, McCartney said he was postponing his show as a mark of respect for the Bali bombing victims.

'This is not the appropriate time for a rock show,' Sir Paul said.

A reputable industry figure, with more than 20 years' experience as a promoter and fluent with the McCartney touring machine, said Sir Paul also expected to perform to capacity-filled houses.

'Paul McCartney goes crazy every time he doesn't sell out a show. He throws a fit,' the source said.

'Two or three shows on the current American tour were 'soft' (not a capacity crowd) and they went to great lengths to cover up seats and make it look like a sell-out.

'There are a great deal of positives if a promoter gets McCartney. It's a 35-song set list, he does the work and he's got a great work ethic. But it is negative in terms of his obsessive personality.'

Sir Paul announced his Telstra Dome show on October 10. Tickets went on sale last Tuesday, 10 days after the Bali bombings. McCartney postponed his tour last Sunday after selling a reported 30,000 tickets, with no official announcement of a second show.Sources say Ticketmaster had a second McCartney show ready to sell through its various outlets. But, by late last Friday, the last business day before McCartney's call to postpone, ticket sales for the first concert did not warrant a spill to November 24.

Concert promoters say McCartney's reason for postponing is insulting.

'And not only for people genuinely affected by the tragedy in Bali, but the wider implication is acts like John Farnham, who will play nine shows at Rod Laver Arena soon, should return all tickets because it's not the right time,' one promoter said.

'What has been exhibited is nervousness that Bali may have had an effect on business.

'The reality is: the deal was for two shows and they didn't have the numbers to sell out one show.'

Typical .....Bali had nothing to do with it.

Much better to insult a Nation than to admit you were losing money, because you were overpriced and not enough people wanted to see you.

Paul's ego got in the way of the truth . one day he'll realise that his concert sales are going the way of his cd sales and his voice.

I wonder how much he charged the Cavern Club for his concert.

Can't be too long before he does a duets album.

with Mike Love

<snip>

<snip>

Sounds like the promoters promised more than they could deliver.

As I already wrote some months ago, I love Paul (musically) but I have always thought he was in it only for the money... and if Heather gets/will het a (good) bit for herself, well, he probably deserves that!

Matteo

This is the story running in Australia's national newspaper THE AUSTRALIAN.

On 31 Oct 2002 13:20:14 -0800, AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs

Great spin.

Sounds like Geoff Baker.

It seems like the 'feet of clay' thing keeps going on in this NG with no signs of stopping.

Everyone raised Paul up to be this demi-god or super statue, discovered he has feet of clay, and now they feel betrayed and want to just topple the statue....

feet of clay, he's got a parasitic mind.

actually reading peter brown's book gave us an insight into the darker side of Paul. e.g.1) investing in Northern songs behind john's back. 2)his ego when working on M.M.T.film. 3)his domination of the others to backing band status on let it be, which continues through wings,hence only denny laine joins him and linda for band on the run. and then this year he's 4)Playing the rather insulting song of 'Her Majesty' in front of the Queen

but this is the first time he has made up the biggest bullshit excuse ever for not touring and insulted (not upset but insulted) alot of people at the same time.

See, now this I just don't get. For New York, he went out of his way to do a concert as a tribute to the people who died in the tragedy of 9/11. I believe he had to cancel dates in Russia to do this.

He could have at least came up with a plausible excuse for not coming.

Damien Spanjer Sydney, Australia

Moreover, reactions and emotions turn on a dime with every new 'revelation,' regardless of how true any of it is.