Makin’ Moves?
Four artists who could go 2 Live Nation
Beyonce, Jay-z, 50 Cent and Prince

This article is from the May issue of Vibe with your boy Lil Wayne on the cover. The article is on pg. 42.

PRINCE always going against the industry grain, the touring machine known 2 friends as Prince Roger Nelson gave away his last album, Planet Earth (Sony 2007) for free in the UK’s Daily Mall, while ranking in $22 million for 21 London shows. The notoriously contract-averse superstar may not seem like a Live Nation candidate, but as always with his Royal Badness, expect the unexpected.

Please excuse me if this subject has already been discussed. Could this be a good or bad move 4 our man

They have been signing up high profile acts recently including Madonna and U2 (12 year deal). Both acts are known as being financially savvy, so the deal must be sweet.

I read an article stating that LiveNation's deal for TicketMaster to issue it's tickets runs out at the end of the year and it could be planning to issue there own and take on TM. Currently their gigs account for 15% of all TM tickets. So signing up big acts exclusively could be part of the strategy. And they have an interest in many venues. So it could be a good move. 'Til Prince changes his mind and gets his ass sued

if it does, it'd be kinda ironic - I remember an anti-media rant with company graphics on the ONA tour- including Clear Channel (Live Nation used to be Clear Channel Entertainment)

is Live Nation just buying up all the big music stars?

Thanks 4 your knowledgeable information PopeLeo

Didn't know Live Nation used to be Clear Channel Entertainment

pennylover said:

Thanks. I'm no expert however. Just read too much. And the U2 deal made biggish news here in Ireland a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure some music or media folks around here would know more.

As for the Clear Channel thing, it was spun off the main company a couple of years ago.
http://en.wikipedia.org/w...ive_Nation

pennylover said:

And apparently Jay-Z has already signed for them - for $150 million ( ) on April 3rd. His deal and Madonna's seem to include recording as well as live gigs, unlike U2's deal.

We'll wait and see, I suppose.
[Edited 4/15/08 15:12pm]