Sorry it's a little messy. http://www.billboard.com/...xscore.jsp

Prince Staples Center
Los Angeles, Calif.
March 29, 2004
$1,249,585
17,367 /
17,367
1 /
1
$85, $49.50
Concerts West

Prince American Airlines Center
Dallas, Texas
April 2, 2004
$1,161,356
18,483 /
18,483
1 /
1
$75, $49.50
Concerts West

Prince Glendale Arena
Glendale, Ariz.
March 31, 2004
$1,035,859
16,094 /
16,094
1 /
1
$79.50, $49.50
Concerts West

Prince Lawlor Events Center
Reno, Nev.
March 27, 2004
$748,253
11,777 /
11,777
1 /
1
$77, $49.50
Concerts West

Holy moley...that is a lot of scratch! $1 million gross a show....and he's doing what...about 30 or 40 dates or maybe more? Looks like Prince is gonna be able to afford to buy some new toys after this tour is over.

More importantly, all those millions of dollars will buy him even GREATER artistic freedom. That's what is important and the main reason I'm glad that he is making so much money on this tour. I mean I'm happy for him to buy some cool stuff too, but mainly it is because he won't have to worry about money and he can do exactly what he wants, musically and artistically.

Those numbers are impressive...that's just gate takes too, not including
merchandise sold, which is very ludcrative also.
So you're having a concert, goody for you.....indeed!

Yeah don't forget there's a few expenses in there:
Band
crew
staging
hire of venues and staffing of venues
transport
etc etc

A million plus in Phoenix and he couldn't even give them the accoustic set

Although Prince is doing this tour through a promoter so he is getting a set amount of money per show and much of this money we are seeing is going to the middlemen he so despises.

I think this tour is really about getting "reacquainted" with his fan base, who has been extremely loyal to him- in addition to capturing a "new" audience.... the money is secondary to him- I believe...

ndigo said:

His main fan base has seen him on his last few tours and are kinda tired of the hits. They don't need to be reacquainted with him...they never left. I think this tour is mostly about making lots of money...nothing wrong with that, but that's probably what it is. Of course, he may just enjoy playing 20 year old songs to people who only have the Purple Rain album and that's OK too. The bottom line is that it is a fun show and lots of people will enjoy it and Prince will make lots of money from it.

And I say that it is lame that he is playing "the hits", but I have to confess that I'd rather hear the hits than most of his recent stuff. Those Prince songs from the 80s (and some from the early 90's) are the ones that are dear to my heart. Still, part of me wishes he would just move forward artistically rather than relying on his past glory, even if it would lead to a setlist that isn't as fun for me....dumb I know, but is part of how I feel.

lovemachine said:

Yes, I guess he realizes that you have to sleep with the devil sometimes, even though it maybe makes you feel a little unclean at the end of the day. The music business is set up in a corrupt manner and you either play ball with the evil f*cks in power or you don't play ball at all. So it is a necessary evil for Prince to partner with these people in order to play the big arenas and make the most money.

Any idea what percentage of the money he keeps after expenses? I would guess, at most, maybe half (just a guess, but $500,000 aint too shabby for a night's work)? How much does it cost to "rent" the Staples Center for an evening?

I like the info that Billboard lists for the concerts. I don't care how much money each show brings in...I like to know how many people were there. Prince sold out each show listed. That's impressive. Not surprising at all though.

suedehead said:

I believe, in this case, the promoter (AEG) owns Staples and similar venues. This is how these huge companies like Clear Channel can afford to buy out an artist's whole tour. It would be interesting to know what this tour's operating costs are amortized over a typical week.

RupertZ said:

As much as you lurk through these threads, you have seen for yourself, in print, that some fans, excluding myself, were ready to write Prince off. It's my opinion that the tour is about exposure, the talk shows, radio interviews, and other appearances were about building on a listening audience. You really are "special". You always want the last word, and you present it like it should be a book in the bible, you should try adding some tone of humility to your comments

RupertZ said:

I've been a fan for 26 years and have never been able to go to his concerts. June 12th will be my first ever experience seeing Prince perform those old tunes live, so I'm very appreciative of him playing them for whatever reason.

Joi said:

Well, unless you live somewehere obscure like Alaska, you certainly could have attended a Prince show in the last 26 years. Actually, even if you lived in Alaska, you could have traveled to see a show. I've seen him 30+ times in concert and it always hasn't been easy.

But I'm sure most people want to hear him do the hits and there's nothing wrong with that. When I go see any artist besides Prince, I want to hear their hits, so Prince is no different for the casual fan.

RupertZ said:

Actually, I live in Dallas and I've had numerous opportunities to see him live. Life and not wanting me or my children to starve kept me from blowing money to attend 30+ concerts. Wow...so you've attended 30 plus shows? You were truly blessed.

Well, it's about priorities of course and somehow I think anyone can save up $100 over many years in order to see Prince live. I"m sure you spent the money on other forms of entertainment, which is fine, but that doesn't constitutue being "unable" to see him in concert. That was my only point.

I attended so many shows because I sacrificed other things that I could spent that money on. That is not good or bad, but just a choice that I made, and one that anyone makes when they go see him or do anything else that costs $.

.
[This message was edited Thu Apr 8 12:22:22 2004 by RupertZ]

RupertZ said:

I'm a fan, but Prince is never going to be a priority in my life. Until you've walked a thousand miles in my shoes, you can't say what I was able or unable to do when Prince came to my town.

My initial post regarding your comment about Prince playing his old tunes was just to point out that many of his main fans may not have been able to attend a concert, like me, and would appreciate his playing his old tunes. In your need to unload the shit clogging your ass and your brain, you came back with a snarky reply. Rather than argue with someone I don't know and don't care about, I'll move on to the next post and wish you peace.
[This message was edited Thu Apr 8 12:35:15 2004 by Joi]

I hope you have a fun time! It should be cool.

I've been a fan for 26 years and have never been able to go to his concerts. June 12th will be my first ever experience seeing Prince perform those old tunes live, so I'm very appreciative of him playing them for whatever reason.[/quote]

Joi said:

It's always great to see someone with the right Priorities. Your kids are blessed to have a parent like you..... someone that won't starve them or take their entertainment away for their own selffish reasons.

I've seen him many times only because I don't have kids and I could. Now I always think twice if I want to spend money on Prince since I have a new house. Majority of the time the house comes first.

Much Love,
LoLinex

Thanks for saying that...now I'm willing to publiclly admit that Reno was the first Prince concert I've been to, though I've been enjoying his music for many years. So I too am glad to hear the older stuff. Wish I could have seen him perform some of the many songs I love that he ISN'T performing this time around, but at least if I get hit by a bus, I got to see him once. BTW, I also like his more recent music, including Musicology.

RupertZ said:

Amen 2 that my brother, mo'freedom,mo'freedom!

lolinex said:

Somehow my friends with kids manage to go see Prince, and their children don't seem emaciated or otherwise deprived of necessities or otherwise. I guess some people can figure it out and some can't.

RupertZ said:

Oh, get off it u people!! Your riding this guy 4 no apparent reason. IF U can afford it and don't go...then bitch 'bout it, but this cat is doing things, and I/m pretty sure that NONE of u...NO ONE in this room has any idea as to what this cat has had to deal with in his life. Instead of criticizing and being so DAMN negative about his first attendace, give them a hand in dealing with life and handling things in the home. I would really be upset 2 see another post doggin' this cat 4 doing what has 2 be done. IF U Don't know, then U DON'T know...shut your trap and them them a hand up, instead of a kick 2 the head. Free your mind of all that worries u, go 2 the show and party. peace...

tonybibb said:

I don't think anyone was dogging him or saying that he should have seen Prince more. I was just pointing out that he decided to spend his money elsewhere and he could have gone to see Prince if he really wanted to in the past.

After seeing some of these posts, I feel a little guilty about all the money I've blown on Prince! Hell I've blown money on air fare, concert tickets, hotel rooms...

Guilty? Of What having Fun? Please Prince is Worth the Effort,The Time,The Energy. Prince is AMAZING! If ya are gonna Cry over Money when ya can be Enjoying well ya are Sad about that. Prince is Always gonna be Worth it to me. I am Not Trying To Buy anything but a Good time and some Fun. Prince Shows me a Good Time...I Am Never Disappointed. He Doesn't Owe me Sex he owes me Nothing. I Adore Him and Always will. Prince will Always be My Favorite PERFORMER. I Love PRINCE....That is a Given... No One gives me as Much Pleasure or as Much Pain,but doesn't that Sometimes go hand and hand when you are an Emotional Creature? Suffice to say I am his Puppet and He can Pull the Strings with his Words. He can Play on ya emotions...It is Just how it Is and it is an Intensity like One Has Never Experienced before. Prince is the Master ...we Mearly his Servants or Subjects. He may want his woman Dominant but well he makes us Mush. Melting. I am So Not Alone as his Females will be Very Willing to Please such a Fantastic Talent such as Prince. Oh,Heaven surely he is ICE-CREAM ya Know...Yes, well Zelaira is a Truly Emotional Romantic IDEALISTIC person. Prince being My Fantasy Man..I think it was that Cover of him on the HORSE that Did it to me. He Won with that Sexy Look and Sweet Voice. Oh,If only we were in Heaven...So Sweet ..Lounging on Clouds. He just ....Makes me Float.....

RavedIn2 said:

No reason to feel guilty!! Heck I have never had any regrets about all the money I have spent on him or any other entertainment as long as it didn't hurt anybody.

I was just giving the person props for wanting to give their kids the extra funds.

Keep the airfare, concert tickets, and hotel a rolling!!!

Much Love,
LoLinex

I will say this much. It was a lot easier to see more concerts for $40, $50, $60
back in the day then it is now with the ONA shows $125+.

However, I always had the (Excuse this) SHITTY seats also. Up so far that Prince looked like ants.

However, many concerts I saw, I did miss out on the Bootleg experiences of the early 80s.

There's always a trade off. Some of you have thousands of songs and I have most of the legal stuff only.

(except for now )

So let up a little. Even back in the day $60 for a concerts was a days work for me.

Peace and everyone enjoy your experience.

RavedIn2 said:

I've seen Prince well over 30 times in concert, and I don't regret any of the money I've spent even though it is well into the thousands of $$$s and I could sure use that money now. Those were amazing experiences that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I do regret spending money on lots of things, but not Prince concerts or music.