Hi everyone!

Paisley news has posted the following on 4th December:

"December 4:
Bataclan, Nighttown, Studio 54...all worth the same ticket price? Sheila, Nikka... hmmm?"


I had a rush of blood and e-mailed them this under my own real name! See below.

What does anyone think? (what have I done!?!)



Hello

I felt like responding to the comment on the NPGMC website below:


December 4:
Bataclan, Nighttown, Studio 54...all worth the same ticket price? Sheila, Nikka... hmmm?

I don’t believe you can assign either music recorded in the studio or played live a Monetary Value.
Is the song ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon worth $5? If I want to purchase a CD single that I love should my love of it be assigned a dollar value, and I then asked to pay this amount if I wish to ‘own’ a copy of the CD single? How many dollars is love?

Why are we being asked to assign a Monetary Value to Music?

Do I think a firefighter is ‘worth’ paying less than a professional basket ball player?

Many organisations raise their prices based on the people’s love of the ‘product’. Football shirts, the expense of a wedding cake as opposed to a cake for any other occasion. The cost of renting a car for a wedding as opposed to renting a car for any other occasion.
I am not implying that the Concert tickets were inflated because of people’s love of the ‘product’. I do not know why they were priced as they were. But there is a danger that people can lose sight of the practical necessities of money. How should things be priced given that they must be priced?

If I love Prince’s Music and Live performances and don’t believe they have a Monetary Value, but a worth in and off themselves, should I pay whatever the asking price, or what is reasonable and within my budget?

I paid $100 dollars to see Prince live this year. Was it worth it? Like I say how do you assign Music a monetary value? I was prepared to pay the amount, yes. But I wouldn't quantify its worth in terms of money.Perhaps someone at WB could do this? Would I be prepared to ever pay more than $100 to see Prince in Concert? No. Not because I don’t think it’s worth it but because I have to balance the cost against the money I have available and the other ‘items’ that are 'worth' my money.

On what principles are/should things be priced?

The first track played on the first AHDIO show was Murph Drag. At one point Morris says something like “this music’s only for Aristocrats”.

I’m no Aristocrat! So, will I be joining the club next year? Yes (if I’m allowed!). And even if my money could be spent better elsewhere- why?:The love of the Music. Or should I make an additional donation to a charity?

No time to thank you all for everything I should. I still support Prince and the vision.

P.S. as a human being I reserve the right to change my mind about any of the above without notice and at anytime.

Wise thoughts and words...
I think you did well mailing this to the NPGMC. I hope someone (influential) there actually reads this material and thinks about it.

udo

COMON said:

Was it? The first track that could be heard playing in the background was by Carmen Electra, and the first full track played was by Jacob Armen. Didn't Murph Drag feature on Ahdio Show #3?
.
[This message was edited Thu Dec 5 7:17:39 PST 2002 by langebleu]

Don't know actually- I could be wrong. But it fits the argument!

I'm in agreement that people should NOT be asked how much does this or that product/performance mean to you. Whoever said money is the root of all evil was RIGHT.

Your email was very well thought out and to the point. I hope that the club responds to it.

COMON said:

That really helps make your point when you make up fake facts.

TongueBox said:

Whoever said it was probably repeating a common misquotation from Paul's first letter to Timothy in the New Testament:

Timothy 6:10. 'For the love of money is the root of all evil'

Thank you for the information langebleu. I think you are correct; that makes perfect sense to me.

'I'm a professional musician. This is my job' (In concert, One Night Alone tour)

'Money and art don't mix' (Rave DVD)

'Style is owning the court and charging 'em all a fee'
'Style ain't the jeep U bought when U know your broke ass got bills' (Style)

Whether you agree with it or not, Prince places a monetary value on his product and performance. Money and art may not mix, or mix well, but the reality is, Prince is a professional musician, and if he chooses to lead that life, he has to fund it. Sooner or later, if he undercharges, the bills don't get paid. He's unlikely to do that on recent form, however. Instead, he's more likely to push prices up as he tests the elasticity of demand for his product.

As for yourself, I'm sure you approach the music you really enjoy with the same lack of interest in 'monetary value' as others. You buy a 'rare CD' and 5 years later the dealer says it's worth $XXX. That may be the case if you were to sell it, but you may believe you will never part with it because it provides you with so much enjoyment. The CD paradoxically, is worth everything and nothing.

It is worth everything to you in non-monetary terms because you would not part with it; but, it is also worth nothing to you in monetary terms - also because you will never part with it, so you will never realise any accrued investment value.

Your comment about not being prepared to pay over $100 is interesting. What if Prince played in your town a one off concert and he charged $101? Would you pay then? Would you be able to find one extra dollar that week to fund that purchase in the knowledge that this is a unique experience? I fully accept your comment about getting your priorities right, and there would come a point where you would consider that your priorities would insist you do not buy the ticket because it was not worth the price - compared to other things you need, and then want, to buy. This is all part of paying for things in a principled way,

Yet I wonder whether you would apply the principle of never paying over $100 for a concert? That seems, to me, simply too rigid a measure, particularly faced with the scenario I have suggested.

*
[This message was edited Sat Jan 25 16:52:03 PST 2003 by Enigmoid]

I received a reply from the NPG Music Club today!

Here is what it said word for word:

"Thank u 4 the feedback





Love4oneanother,
The NPG Music Club
www.NPGMusicClub.com
+ + + + + + + + + + + + +"


I would just like to add that in my personal experince and circumstances I don't YET feel that I have been 'over charged' at any point.
I just seem to find it offensive that when the Club does recieve a criticism regarding prices it just declares that its 'worth' many many $$$'s and thus implying that people should be happy to pay virtually whatever is asked.

If the club is self sustained by the truth Prince could ask people to pay what they think anything is worth?
I don't think this is a good idea but it makes a point.

Thanks for everyone who's replied with their thoughts. At this point in time I feel I've said all that I want.

If anyone feels that they desperately want to contend a point please org note me= I'm not going to defend every little thing- e.g. I genuinely thought Murph Drag was the first Track (TongueBox).

Peace!